
Durable and versatile, concrete floors are gaining popularity, especially indoors. But, maintaining them can turn out to be quite a hassle. So, we will be talking about some concrete floors cleaning tips to make them shine and stay clean for longer!
After all, who likes a dirty floor, right?
Concrete is in! However, it is porous and needs to be cleaned frequently.
Concrete Floors Cleaning Tips – A Few Steps Are All You Need
Do you want to have a squeaky-clean concrete floor? We have included the best concrete floors cleaning tips to make it shiny.
Even though it seems very simple to clean, remember that there are many things to avoid! So, without wasting any time, let’s get down to it!
What Type of Floor Do You Have?
Undoubtedly, the first thing you need to do is check what type of floor you have!
Yes, we know, it’s a concrete floor! But there are so many types out there that you need to make sure which one you have to make cleaning easy. Following are the main types of concrete floors:
- Polished
- Stamped
- Metallic/Stained
- Sealed
- Painted
How to Identify Your Floor Type?
Whatever type of floor you have, knowing if it is sealed or otherwise is the trick. However, we are going to tell you about a simple test.
First, take a little water and drop it down. Next, wait for 30 minutes to see the magic happen!
So, there can be two scenarios:
- The water will stay
- The water will seep inside and the concrete will become dark
In the first situation, your concrete floor is sealed.
On the other hand, if the water goes inside, it is not sealed.
Well, once this is done, let’s see how to clean the floor! Choose from the following cleaning solutions for the best results
pH Neutral |
Used for decorative flooring indoors. Slightly soiled |
Acidic |
Used for removing rust, dust, grease and other stains outdoors. |
Bacterial/Enzymatic |
Used to break down animal droppings, soil matter and plant stains |
Alkaline |
Used both indoor and outdoor as a degreaser. |
Pick the one that suits your needs.
For Unsealed Concrete Floors Indoors
Step 1: Gather the materials:
Firstly, gather all the materials. Following are the materials required:
- Cleaning solution
- Mop - preferably microfiber
- Bucket of water
- Washing soda
Step 2: Make space
Undoubtedly, you have to make sure that the entire room is empty. You need to remove all the rugs and furniture for proper cleaning.
Step 3: Sweep well
Next, with a homemade solution, clean and sweep the entire room. For the solution, you need to mix 3 tbsp of washing soda in a full bucket of water.
Firstly, start from the side of your room and sweep. Go over the entire room thoroughly for a neat clean.
Step 4: Refill and go over it again
Once done, fill the bucket up with clean, warm water.
Pro Tip: Keep it on the hot side!
Step 5: Mop the room again
From the same spot you started before, start mopping with the clean water. Go over the entire room again.
Pro Tip: Make sure to wash the mop maximum after 3-square foot.
Step 6: Turn on the fan
It is important to give the room a breeze. If there is a fan, turn it on. On the other hand, if there is no fan, open the windows to allow airflow.
Cleaning indoors is easy, right?
Now, how to clean the concrete floor outside?
Don’t worry! We have you covered!
Tricks and Tips for the Perfect Wash
Different stains require different ways of cleaning. For instance:
- Grease stains: Sprinkle a little amount of sawdust, kitty litter or even cornstarch on the stain. Next, give it at least 24 hours to sit or more before you clean it with a vacuum or by simply sweeping it away.
- Dry spots: First, put a little detergent after dampening the area. Secondly, leave it for almost 60 minutes before you pour boiling hot water on it. Lastly, scrub it with a brush.
Caution: Don’t pour water from a height as it will fall on your feet.
For Unsealed Concrete Floors Outdoors
Yes, we know how difficult cleaning the garage can be, right? For that, we will change the method. Undoubtedly, exterior concrete is difficult and needs more effort to clean. After all, the stain marks are harder and difficult to remove. So, the cleaning method needs to be tougher.
If your floors are dirty and need a thorough cleaning, go ahead and try removing stains with Pressure Washer. This will ensure it becomes as good as new. Otherwise, regularly, follow the method mentioned below
Step 1: Equip yourself
You need the following equipment:
- Trisodium phosphate
- Bucket of water
- Hard-bristle brush
Step 2: Make the solution
Once we are cleaning outside, we need something stronger. So, choose from either an enzymatic cleaner or an acidic one.
Pro Tip: ALWAYS follow up with an alkaline solution to neutralize the strong smell of acid.
Step 3: Mix it up!
For a good wash, use trisodium phosphate. If the stains are less, mix 1/4th cup in a gallon of water. On the other hand, if the stains are deeper, mix ½ cup in a gallon of water.
Step 4: Hose it down
With a hose, dampen the entire floor. Hosing it down will ensure that the floor is wet uniformly. With the help of the brush, scrub the floor well.
CAUTION: NEVER use a wire brush to scrub.
Pro Tip: It is best to involve a couple of people so that you don’t tire out easily. Keep in mind not to allow children, as the chemical is powerful.
Step 5: Pressure washer
If you want to use a pressure washer, fill up the machine and start from near the building. Go over hardened dirt or crevices twice for best results.
Step 6: Rinse
Whatever method you apply, round up the cleaning process by hosing down the entire floor again.
Tips to Fight Tough Stains
- Marks made by tires: These are the toughest stains you can come across. Use a concentrated amount of industrial degreaser and let it sit for 6-10 hours. Then, follow the method mentioned above.
- Rust: Surely, that is one tough stain to get out, isn’t it? But, if you spray a simple solution of vinegar or lemon juice and let it sit for say 20 minutes or so, it will do the trick.
Conclusion:
In a nutshell, we have explained the concrete floors cleaning tips which can be useful for you. Moreover, we have included some extra tips to give you the best wash just like the professionals would do!
So, what are you waiting for?
Let’s get down to cleaning!