Concrete is a durable and versatile material that can easily be cleaned. Hence, it is popular for flooring in residential and commercial spaces. However, there is no kind of flooring that doesn’t require maintenance-free and proper care to maintain its appearance and longevity. Whether you have a polished concrete floor in your living room, a garage floor that faces heavy traffic, or an industrial space that requires regular maintenance, understanding the best practices for cleaning concrete is very important. This guide will explore effective methods to maintain your concrete floors, looking their best.
How To Clean Concrete Floors?
Material Required
- Broom or vacuum
- Dustpan
- Bucket
- Mild detergent or concrete cleaner
- Warm water
- Mop
- Clean towels or microfiber cloths
- Concrete sealer (optional)
Step 1: Remove the debris or dirt
Firstly, sweep the floor using a broom or vacuum cleaner. An upright floor will sweep away dust and other dirt particles, as their handles are well designed to make them move across any smooth surface efficiently. Additionally, ensure that corners and edges are cleaned with a mop because these spaces often accumulate dirt.
Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution
Mix warm water with cleanser in a bucket. Mild detergent or pH-balanced cleaners made specially for cleaning concrete are highly recommended, as they prevent damaging the concrete surface and protect the protective sealant of the concrete flooring. Avoid using strong chemicals, including abrasive brushes, that may destroy concrete surfaces.
Step 3: Mop the Floor
Afterward, dip the mop into the cleaning solution and mop it in sections on the floor. Make sure to wring out excess moisture so you do not wet the entire floor. Water can infiltrate into sealed( painted or polished) floors, leading to damage to their sealants. For more stubborn stains, use a soft bristle brush or a rotating brush to loosen and remove the stain.
Step 4: Rinse the Floor
Mop one more time by filling the bucket with plain water after you are done. This is important since it helps remove residues that cause streaks on a floor.
Step 5: Dry the Floor
After mopping and rinsing, mop the floor dry. You can also let it air-dry if there is sufficient ventilation in the room. However, ensure that the floor gets completely dried off because residual water tends to form spots on the surface.
Step 6: Apply Sealer
Lastly, add a coat of sealer. This is not a mandatory step when cleaning concrete, but it is highly recommended for long-term maintenance purposes only. To add a coat of sealer, use either a brush or roller, by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure that sealed floors are completely dry before using them again and returning furniture to their original positions.
How to Remove Rust Stains on Concrete Floors?
When metal furniture, like outdoor chairs, gets wet, it develops brownish-orangish rust stains, which can easily tarnish the appearance of your floor, giving it a worn look.
Various methods are used to remove rust stains from the concrete floor, depending on the severity of the stain.
- Lemon Juice: For minor stains, pour undiluted lemon juice on the rust-stained concrete and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then scrub with a wire brush. However, for the painted floor, use lemon juice mixed with water.
- White Vinegar: White vinegar is more effective than lemon juice. Apply it just like lemon juice and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then, scrub it to remove the stain, and rinse.
- Commercial Rust Cleaner: If home solutions like vinegar and lemon juice don’t work, use a commercial rust stain remover.
- Trisodium Phosphate (TSP): Mix ½ cup of TSP with ½ gallon of hot water. Allow the acid mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes, then scrub, rinse, and dry. However, keep the area ventilated and wear protective gear like gloves and glasses, as it is a very strong acid.
How to Remove Tire Marks on Concrete Floors?
Tire marks don’t look appealing on your outdoor concrete floor. To remove them,
Step 1: Apply a simple mixture of soap and water or baking soda with water to remove the tire marks.
Step 2: Leave the solution on the marks for some time.
Step 3: Scrub the tire marks using a brush with soft bristles.
Step 4: Rinse the area with clean water.
Step 5: Let the surface dry.
For tough tire marks, using a power washer can be the ultimate solution. With the help of a high-pressure stream of water, you can remove stains and tire marks from surfaces.
How to Remove Oil and Grease Spots?
Concrete is porous, and oil or grease can penetrate the surface. The older the oil and grease stain, the more difficult it is to clean it. To clean the stains:
Step 1: Firstly, use paper towels or cloths to absorb excess oil.
Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or cat litter over the stain. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight. For stubborn stains, use a commercial concrete degreaser.
Step 3: Mix dish soap with warm water and scrub the stain with a stiff brush.
Step 4: Rinse with water and repeat the process if necessary.
How To Clean different types of Concrete Floors?
How to Clean Stained Concrete Floors?
Stained Concrete Floors are created by applying a stain to the surface of cured concrete, resulting in a rich, translucent color that can mimic the look of natural stone, polished marble, or even wood. Stained and sealed concrete offers more shine and color than regular concrete floors but requires gentler cleaning.
Dry mop the floor with a vacuum or broom. Then, wet a microfiber mop in a cleaning mixture of water and a mild, neutral pH cleanser. To remove stains, it is better to opt for natural cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. For tough stains, you can opt for chemical-based cleaners that are redesigned especially for stained concrete, which are also better.
In the end, don’t forget to apply a good film-forming sealer and a coat of wax to protect from wear for years to come.
Tips to Remember
- Stained concrete is porous and absorbs moisture quickly, leading to discoloration and staining. Therefore, clean any spills quickly to prevent staining.
- To protect the concrete sealer, you must avoid using metal scrubbers or power washers.
How to Clean Unfinished Concrete Floors?
Unsealed concrete floors, with their raw, rugged appeal, can enhance modern homes or any other space. But if left unsealed, they attract dirt and grease, which seep through the porous surface, leading to stains. Cleaning unsealed concrete floors requires a careful approach to maintain their rustic charm and ensure long-lasting durability.
Use a rotating brush for loosening and eliminating dirt from them, as it works excellently for hard surfaces like concrete. Also, a push broom brush with bristles that are strong enough to clean the surface but not too harsh to damage the floor’s surface. Then, use warm water mixed with mild pH-neutral detergent to gently clean the surface. Mild dishwashing soap or laundry detergent will also work on unsealed concrete floors.
In case of stubborn stains on the concrete’s unpolished surface, apply a small amount of undiluted cleaner directly onto it and then scrub using a stiff-bristle brush. Finally, remove any excess moisture because water can penetrate through the porous surface of an unsealed concrete floor.
Tips to remember:
- The unfinished concrete is porous as it is not sealed like the finished one; hence acidic and abrasive cleaners should be avoided to protect the sensitive surface.
- Do not use metal scrubbers or power washers, as they can cause serious harm. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush.
- There are also natural cleaners such as vinegar or baking soda. However, don’t use vinegar too often, and make sure that you dilute it properly in order not to etch concrete by accident.
How to Clean Polished Concrete Floors?
Polished concrete floors require specialized care in order to maintain their polished look and exceptional durability. It is essential that dirt and debris are frequently swept or vacuumed since they can leave scratches on the floor’s smooth surface. You must use a commercial polished concrete cleaner that is neutral in pH balance. Then, mix this cleaner with water in a bucket for dilution before using it. Some of the other good cleansers that you can use are castile soap, liquid dish detergent, stone cleaners, and mild floor cleaners.
Tips to Remember
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners like ammonia, bleach, or highly acidic ones on polished concrete.
- Use a soft microfiber mop to clean it as it will pick up dust and dirt well, protecting the polished surface.
- Avoid floor stains by immediately cleaning the floors after spills occur.
How to Clean Painted Concrete Floors?
A painted concrete floor is coated with a layer of paint to enhance the floor’s aesthetic. It comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, from matte to glossy. They are mostly painted with a water-based acrylic latex formula; hence, making them easy to clean.
In the first step, sweep away any dirt with a broom or a brush that has soft bristles so that the paint won’t be affected. Then dip your microfiber cloth into a commercial concrete floor cleaner. You can also make an all-natural cleaner by mixing Castile soap with hot water or warm water with dish detergent. Soak your mop in the cleaner and run the damp mop over the floor. Finally, rinse well with clean water and let it dry thoroughly until there’s no moisture left.
Tips to Remember:
- Commercial concrete cleaners are commonly used to clean concrete floors, but not all formulas are safe for painted floors.
- Avoid any cleaner that has ammonia or bleach, which is acidic, because this can cause damage to your paint.
- Paint is prone to scratches; hence, use a brush that has soft bristles rather than scrubbers.
How to Clean Sealed Concrete Floors?
After dry cleaning the dirt, mix some lukewarm water in a tub with dishwashing liquid. Mop the floor with this solution. If there is any stubborn stain on the interior concrete floors, make a paste of flour and hydrogen peroxide and spread it over the stained area. Let it sit overnight, and scrape it off using a plastic-edged scraper tool the next day.
Tips to Remember:
- Do not use an over-wet mop, as water can seep into the concrete and damage the sealant.
- Do not apply wax or polish to sealed concrete floors, as it can create a slippery surface and attract dirt.
- Although high-pressure washers are ideal for removing soil and grime from outside surfaces, they should not be used indoors since they can wear off the sealants and damage the concrete.
Tips to Maintain Concrete Floors for Longer
How Often to Clean Concrete Floors?
Floors are subjected to foot traffic, and hence, if the dirt is not removed regularly, it can create a dusty layer that diminishes the shine of the concrete floor. The cleaning routine depends upon how trafficked the area is.
High traffic: If the concrete floor is in a high-traffic area of the house, it should be dry cleaned with a push mop or vacuum daily. After every other week, wet mop with a pH-neutral concrete floor cleaner.
Low traffic: However, if the floor is not very frequently used, then it can be dry cleaned once a week and wet mopped once a month.
However, if there are any stains and spills, they must be removed immediately to protect the surface of the floor.
What Cleaners are Best for Concrete Floors?
- pH-neutral cleaner with a pH 7 cleans sealed concrete floor
- Castile soap with pH 8.9 removes oil, grease, and grime
- Baking soda for tough stains
- Borax with pH 10 breaks down deep stains
- Washing soda with pH 11-12 is hard-to-remove stains
- Liquid dish detergent for regular mopping
What Cleaners Should You Not Use on Concrete Floors?
Acidic and harsh cleaners should not be used on the concrete floors as they discolor the sealed and painted concrete floor and etch the polished floor. Like,
- Concentrated vinegar
- Bleach
- Muriatic Acid
- Ammonia-based cleaners
- High-pH cleaners
Conclusion
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential for keeping concrete floors in excellent condition, whether they are polished, stained, sealed, or painted. By using the appropriate cleaners and techniques for each type of concrete floor, you can preserve their aesthetic appeal and ensure their longevity. Regular sweeping, prompt spill clean-up, and periodic deep cleaning will help maintain the beauty and durability of your concrete floors, making them a lasting and attractive feature in any space.
FAQs
Does White Vinegar Clean Concrete Floors?
You can use white vinegar to clean concrete floors, but it should be used with caution. Vinegar is acidic in nature, which makes it ideal for dirt, grime, and mineral deposits. However, due to its acidity, it can potentially damage certain types of concrete finishes and sealants over time if used in concentrated form. Make sure you don’t use it frequently, and when using it, don’t leave it on for too long.
How to Make Concrete Floors Shine?
To make concrete floors shine, you need to follow a regular cleaning routine with a pH-neutral cleaner. For long-lasting shine, consider using a concrete sealer and reapply as needed, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
How Do You Make Old Concrete Floors Look New?
If you want to make your old concrete floor look new, then clean thoroughly with a pH-neutral cleaner. Repair the cracks with concrete patching and grind or sand the surface. Apply a concrete stain or dye, then seal the floor. You can also apply a concrete polisher or a protective wax or floor polish.
