How to Clean Concrete

Concrete surfaces can be found on the floors, countertops, driveways, and patios of almost every home. Moreover, despite its durability, concrete can still get messy and stained. Luckily, caring for concrete is simple with the right products. We’ll go over how to clean concrete and get rid of rust, oil, and mildew stains below.

How Often Should Concrete Be Cleaned?

Just like with any surface, stains can be removed more easily the sooner you treat them. Don’t wait until you have enough time to clean the entire surface when you notice stains from oil or grease. Handle them immediately. Concrete countertops should be cleaned every day after meals are prepared, and indoor concrete floors should be dust-mopped at least once a week. Debris should be regularly removed from driveways, patios, and walkways, and they should be thoroughly cleaned once a year or as needed.

Items You’ll Require

Tools and Equipment

• Leaf blower or broom
• Spray-nozzle-equipped garden hose
• Pressure/power washer (extra)
• Mop
• Hard-bristled nylon cleaning brush
• Used towels or sheets made of plastic
• Rubber gloves and safety glasses
• Pail
• Spritz container

Materials

• White vinegar that has been distilled
• Baking soda
• Oxalic acid or an oxalic acid-containing commercial cleaner
• Bleach with chlorine
• Bleach with oxygen
• Cornstarch
• Cat litter (mostly made of clay)
• Cleaner
• Dishwashing soap
• Concrete polishing solution

How to Clean Concrete

Just a few supplies and a bit of elbow grease are needed to clean a patio. When cleaning outdoor concrete, pick a day that is mild and cloudy to prevent the cleaning solution from evaporating too quickly.

Step 1: Get the concrete cleared.

• Take everything out of the concrete you wish to clean, including cars, patio furniture, grills, plants, and toys.
• To remove any loose debris or leaves, use a leaf blower or broom.
• Using a garden hose and spray nozzle, moisten the concrete.

Step 2: Create a Cleaning Remedy

• Combine one cup baking soda and two cups distilled white vinegar in a bucket. Depending on the size of the area you want to clean, you may want to double or triple the amount.
• The mixture will foam, but as you mix it slowly, the foaming will subside.

Step 3: Disperse, Clean, Rinse, and Air Dry

• Using a mop, evenly apply the cleaning solution to the concrete, then let it sit for half an hour.
• To clean the concrete, use a nylon scrub brush with stiff bristles and a long handle.
• Make sure to rinse away any residue that may have landed on the grass or shrubbery when you rinse the surface.
• To help avoid staining, wait until the concrete is completely dry before rearranging furniture or adding plants.

How to Get Rid of Stains in Concrete

Step 1: Eliminate mildew and mold.

The vinegar and baking soda solution should eradicate the fungus and remove the stains if the mildew growth isn’t too heavy. If it’s heavy, though, you’ll need to use chlorine bleach to get rid of the black stains and effectively kill the spores. Make sure the area has adequate ventilation before cleaning the floor of a garage or basement.

• Put on protective goggles, old clothes, and rubber gloves.
• In a plastic bucket or spray bottle, combine one part chlorine bleach with two parts water.
• To avoid burning, cover grass and shrubbery with old towels or plastic sheeting.
• Apply the bleach solution to the mildew-stained areas using a spray bottle or a mop.
• Let the cleaner work for five to thirty minutes, depending on the extent of the surface stains.
• Using a brush with nylon bristles, scrub the concrete and then give it a good rinse with the garden hose.
• Once the patio has been cleaned, rinse the vegetation.

Step 2: Eliminate Grease and Oil Spits

Because concrete is porous and grease seeps deeper into the surface the longer it remains on the surface, it is best to treat grease stains as soon as they appear. It will take multiple treatments to completely eradicate older stains.

• Apply a thick layer (at least one inch) of cornstarch or kitty litter to the stain.
• Give it a minimum of 24 hours or a maximum of 3 days to stay on the stain.
• Sweep up the kitty litter and check the stain. Remaining there? Sprinkle again with kitty litter.
• Once the stain is almost completely removed, use a commercial degreaser and scrub the area with a brush with nylon bristles.
• After using a garden hose to rinse, let it dry.

Step 3: Tire Indentations

• After moistening the region, apply a degreaser to the stains.
• Give the cleaner four hours or more to work.
• Use a nylon brush with stiff bristles to scrub the marks.
• Before driving on the concrete, thoroughly rinse and let it air dry.

Step 4: Eliminate Red Mud and Rust Stains

• If the mud and rust stains are not too severe, apply pure white vinegar to the affected area and leave it there for at least half an hour. Rinse after using a stiff brush to scrub it.
• Use an oxalic acid-containing commercial rust remover if the stains are large or old. Apply the cleaner to the stained area according to the label’s instructions, then scrub with a brush with nylon bristles.
• After rinsing off the cleaner, let the area air dry. If the stain persists, repeat.

Advice: Never use bleach to remove mildew stains; instead, treat rust stains first. Rust stains can be permanently set with chlorine bleach.

How to Keep Painted, Polished, and Sealed Concrete Clean

Step 1: Sealed concrete surfaces

• To get rid of any loose dirt, sweep or dust mop the floor.
• In a bucket or sink, combine two gallons of warm water with two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid for mopping. Use of abrasive cleansers can cause the sealant to deteriorate and become dull.
• Use fresh water to rinse the floor, then let it air dry.

Step 2: Concrete Floors Polished

• Dust and debris can be removed with a vacuum or dust mop.
• Use a pH-neutral commercial polished concrete cleaner on a damp mop. Most cleaners don’t need to be rinsed; just follow the instructions on the label.

Step 3: Concrete floors painted

Because painted concrete floors can have sealed or unsealed finishes, cleaning them can be more difficult. Steer clear of abrasive cleansers like ammonia and bleach to preserve the surface.

• You can use a dust mop or vacuum to remove loose soil.
• Use a damp mop (with no extra water) dipped in a dishwashing liquid and warm water solution to clean.
• Using a fresh, damp mop, rinse the floor and let it air dry.

Extra Advice to Preserve the Excellent Look of Your Concrete

• Never use a metal brush to scrub concrete. There may be metal fragments left behind that rust and discolor the concrete.
• Although not required, a power or pressure washer can be very useful if the concrete is extremely dirty or covered in moss. For cleaning, always use the commercial product that the manufacturer recommends. The vinegar and baking soda mixture can clog the jet in a power washer, so never use it with one.
• Use minimal water when cleaning painted concrete floors. It may cause the paint to chip and peel.