Concrete floors can be cleaned simply with dry or damp mopping. Concrete is resistant to abrasion and stains when it is sealed properly. There are no fibers, joints or grout lines that can trap dirt. Minimal maintenace is required.
Alkaline concrete floor cleaners
Alkaline cleaners like baking soda (pH 8 to 9) and castile soap (pH 8.9) break down oil, grease, and other hydrocarbon-based grime. Higher alkaline cleaners like borax (pH 10) and washing soda (pH 11 to 12) tackle deeper, harder-to-remove concrete stains.
Sometimes, it helps to use separate buckets for the cleaning and rinsing solutions, and to periodically rinse the mop. Also, do not use Swiffer Wet-Jets, bleach, ammonia, Pine Sol, or any harsh detergents.
As long as it is properly sealed, concrete is non-porous, making it resistant to stains and exceptionally easy to clean and maintain. Stained concrete floors should always be protected with a good floor sealer to help it resist water, dirt and stains.
Never use ammonia, bleach, Mop & Glow, Pine-Sol, Lysol, or citrus-based products on polished concrete floors.
Use a detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water to brighten a concrete patio that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Just as you would regularly vacuum the floor and dust your furniture inside your house, you should keep your patio clean so it's ready at a moment's notice to entertain.
Cons of Outdoor Concrete Staining
Transparent: The semi-transparency of most stains will fail to hide the existing imperfections in the concrete surface. DIY is not easy: Staining concrete is the not the easiest job for the amateur weekend warrior. Using a professional contractor ensure best results.
Microfiber Mop: Microfiber mops are great for concrete floors as they are gentle on the surface and can effectively trap dirt and dust particles. They can also be used dry or dampened with water or a cleaning solution.
Low-maintenance: The same properties that make concrete floors so durable also make them easy to care for. Properly sealed concrete floors shrug off dirt, grit, stains, spills, and hard impacts. A little sweeping and damp mopping is all that's required to keep them looking like new.
Use full-strength vinegar if you need to remove heavily soiled concrete and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with water. You can even mix baking soda with vinegar to remove grease and deep stains. Like most things, vinegar's not perfect, but it's pretty close.
For extra tough buildup, pour undiluted cleaner directly on the spot or on a sponge; undiluted cleaning requires a nice rinse to finish the job. When it comes to cleaning concrete, Mr. Clean is always in the mix.
Steam cleaners use pressurized steam to deep clean and sanitize surfaces, making it the most effective way to clean concrete floors. Not only does it remove all the dirt, grime, and stains, but it also penetrates the pores of the concrete, leaving it looking and smelling fresh and new.
Stained concrete can be an excellent choice for your residential house. Due to light foot traffic experienced in residential stained floors, a simple cleaning may renew their fresh look for many years.
Depending on the concrete sealer used, it's usually recommended to seal the concrete every couple of years to keep the color from fading. If you choose a high-quality concrete stain and sealer, you may be able to shorten the period between resealing to every 3-5 years.
A basic cleaning routine for concrete should include: Dry mopping to remove debris and dirt and prevent abrasion. Cleaning spills as soon as possible to prevent stains. Damp mopping as necessary with water and a mild detergent.
An attractive and expertly finished garage floor can greatly improve the aesthetics of your home's interior and add to the overall appeal. It not only increases the functionality of your property but also maximizes the resale value when you decide to sell your home someday down the road.
BASIC MAINTENANCE principles
Acid-stained concrete is easy to maintain and will last indefinitely. You just need to follow several basic principles: Dust mop or broom sweep weekly to prevent dirt accumulation. Damp mop monthly to remove smudging, scuffs and water marks, and to restore gloss.
The durability of stained concrete
This applies to both interior floors as well as outdoor surfaces, so any concrete floor will benefit from a stained concrete finish that beautifies, seals, and protects against cracking, peeling, chipping, and fading.
Windex is a harsh chemical agent that you shouldn't use to clean concrete floors. It can damage and dull the decorative concrete floors like other harsh cleaners.