Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Cleaning the concrete floor
• Part 2 of 4: Cleaning stamped and polished concrete
• Part 3 of 4: Cleaning a garage floor or outdoor concrete surface
• Part 4 of 4: Protecting the concrete floor

Concrete is durable and versatile, making it a popular material for indoor and outdoor floors. Because it is stain resistant and you can choose to leave it untreated and smooth or create unique patterns, concrete is a very flexible material. It can be used for different purposes and in different spaces and suits any decor. Concrete is porous, so it should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth and dirt build-up. The cleaning method you use differs slightly for each type of concrete, but taking good care of your floor will keep it clean and fresh and last longer, whether it is a floor in your home, garage, shop or at your workplace.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Cleaning the concrete floor

1. Gather your cleaning supplies. To clean any concrete floor and remove stains, you will need some simple cleaning materials, such as:
   • A broom and a dustpan (or a vacuum cleaner)
   • A brush with nylon bristles for scrubbing away stains
   • Dish soap and water to remove stains
   • Trisodium phosphate, household bleach and detergent to remove stains
   • Cat grit or cornstarch to remove grease stains
   • Degreaser to remove tire marks
   • Bleach, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide for stubborn stains
2. Clear the floor. Remove all furniture, decorations, carpets, mats, shoes and all other items from the floor. Take everything out of the room so that you don't have to clean around furniture and don't have to keep moving furniture around to clean the floor.
3. Sweep and dust the floor. Sweep up any large debris with the broom and then go over the surface again with a dustpan to remove fine particles and dust. Dust the floor daily and sweep or vacuum the floor once a week.
   • Use a vacuum cleaner if you have a good one as this is faster and more efficient. This also prevents you from spreading dust and dirt particles over the floor.
4. Remove stains. Remove common stains from food and drinks by scrubbing the areas with hot, soapy water. Use one to two tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of mild dish soap or castile soap and dilute it with 2 liters of water. For oil and oil-based stains, wet the affected areas with water and cover them with dish soap. Dip a brush in warm water and scrub the area with it to lather the detergent. Blot the foam with a cloth or towel and rinse with clean water.
   • To remove mold, mix 30 ml of laundry detergent and 30 grams of trisodium phosphate with 1 liter of household bleach and 3 liters of water. Scrub the area with a soft brush and rinse with clean water.
   • To remove tire marks in a garage, spray water on the area and apply a degreasing agent. Leave it on for three to four hours, then scrub and rinse the area with a brush.
   • To remove grease, cover the affected area with cat litter or cornstarch and let it sit for about three days. After soaking, vacuum or sweep up the cat litter or cornstarch and dispose of properly. The correct way depends on what kind of fat it is - throw it in the trash or take it to a collection point for cooking oil and cooking oil.
5. Use stronger cleaners for stubborn stains on an untreated concrete floor. If you have not treated your concrete floor with nines and you don't have to worry about damaging a protective layer, you can use more aggressive cleaners like bleach, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide to remove stubborn stains. Dilute one part cleaner with three parts water and spray the mixture on the affected area. Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes, then scrub the area with a brush. Then rinse the area with clean water.
   • Always wear gloves and proper personal protective equipment when using aggressive cleaners. Also make sure that the room is well ventilated.

Part 2 of 4: Cleaning stamped and polished concrete

1. Gather your supplies. You will need a mop, a large bucket, warm water and a mild pH neutral cleaner. Do not use ammonia, bleach, or any other very acidic or basic cleaner, as these can affect the finish of the concrete. Good pH neutral cleaners to use include:
   • Mild dishwashing detergents
   • Castile soap
   • Neutral cleaner for stone
   • PH neutral floor cleaners and floor soaps
2. Fill a large bucket with water. Use about 4 liters of warm water. Stir 30 to 60 ml of mild soap or neutral pH cleaner into the water, or use the amount recommended on the package.
3. Dip a clean mop in the cleaning solution. When the mop is wet, wring it out thoroughly. The mop should only be slightly damp to clean the floor. The water should dry quickly and no puddles of water should remain on the concrete.
4. Mop the floor in small areas. Start in the corner furthest from the door and then work your way up to the door. Always treat a small portion at a time. While mopping, regularly dip the mop in the cleaning solution and wring it out thoroughly. Consider having a fan blow air into the room so that the floor dries faster.
5. Remove the soap or cleaner residue. When you've cleaned the entire floor, throw away the dirty water, rinse the mop and bucket, and fill the bucket with clean, warm water. Mop the floor again in the same way with the clean water, often dipping the mop in the water and wringing it out thoroughly.
   • Start in the corner furthest from the door, then work your way back up to the door. Always treat a small portion at a time.

Part 3 of 4: Cleaning a garage floor or outdoor concrete surface

1. Gather your cleaning supplies. You will need a pressure washer, a hard scrubbing broom with nylon bristles and a cleaning agent like trisodium phosphate or another concrete cleaner. You can use a regular garden hose if you don't have a pressure washer. Turn the tap on fully and use a spray nozzle that emits a powerful jet.
   • It is recommended that you use a pressure washer to clean concrete surfaces as it will make it easier to clean the concrete. You can rent a high-pressure cleaner at garden centers and hardware stores.
   • If you don't have a scrub broom, use a regular nylon-bristled scrub brush.
2. Remove any pieces of moss and roots growing on the concrete surface. Pull them up with your hands and then run a broom, garden hose, or pressure washer across the surface to remove any dirt and debris.
3. Spray water on the concrete. Open the garage door, start at the part of the garage that starts closest to the house and work your way up to the garage door or lawn. Using the pressure washer or garden hose, spray water on the floor with wide sweeping motions to remove all dirt. Make sure you also spray water in corners, cracks and cracks.
4. Cover the floor with a layer of cleaner. Place the broom on one side of the garage or patio and start applying the cleaner on the other side. Sprinkle or pour the cleaner on the floor and work your way up to the broom. Make sure the floor is still wet when you do this.
5. Scrub the floor. Use a broom or brush to rub the cleaner all over the surface of the floor and remove all dirt and dust.
6. Rinse the concrete with clean water. Start on the inside and work your way up to the open door or lawn and spray away all residue of cleaner and dirt with the high-pressure cleaner. Leave the door open and let the floor dry.

Part 4 of 4: Protecting the concrete floor

1. Clean up spills immediately. This way, no one can slip and no stains will appear on the floor. Wipe up spills immediately with a clean cloth or towel.
2. Treat the floor with a sealant. A high-quality sealant will last for several years, so re-treat your floor every three to four years. By applying a sealant you protect your concrete floor against black stripes and stains.
   • Choose a sealant that is suitable for the type of concrete floor you have.
   • Use a water-based sealant for interior concrete floors.
3. Treat the floor with wax. Wax not only protects the floor from build-up of dirt, stains and damage, but also protects the finish underneath so you don't have to apply sealant as often.
   • Apply a thin layer of floor wax and spread the wax with a mop of viscose or microfiber cloth. Apply a new layer of wax every year.