How to clean dirty cement?

Author: Joan Abernathy  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Cleaning a patio with bleach is easy. Whether your patio is sealed concrete or cement, or even sealed concrete pavers, a bleach and water solution makes it easy to clean away built up soil, stains from leaves and pollen, mold, mildew and algae.

How do you clean filthy concrete?

One of the most budget-friendly ways to spot-treat stains is with liquid laundry detergent and water. Target the area by pouring the soap directly onto the stain; use a stiff nylon brush to scrub the area (avoid wire-bristle brushes as metal can scratch concrete), rinse with water and allow to dry.

How do you clean concrete dirt?

Five Concrete Cleaning Products To Use
  1. Soda. Soda can be used to remove grease stains. ...
  2. Detergent. This is recommended for smaller grease spills. ...
  3. Vinegar and Baking Soda. Cleaning concrete with vinegar or baking soda is a good option if you are looking for a natural cleaner. ...
  4. Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser. ...
  5. Bleach.

Will Dawn dish soap clean cement?

Cleaning dirty concrete is fairly easy using a detergent or degreaser. You can use something simple like Dawn dish soap to various degreasers you can find at Lowes or Home Depot. Zep Purple works well on concrete. Eventually you'll need to find the chemical distributors in your town and see what's available.

What is the best homemade concrete cleaner?

Combining bleach, powdered laundry detergent, and hot water gives you a mixture that can help remove stains and whiten the concrete. You may need to scrub the mixture into the concrete using a bristle brush to really wash away dirt and grime.

Cleaning Concrete is Easy with 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner

What do professionals clean concrete with?

Alkaline cleaners are usually the best way to lift out the oil so it can then be washed away. Bacterial or enzymatic solutions: These concrete cleaners are used to remove protein- or starch-based stains.

What does vinegar do to concrete?

Vinegar is an acidic cleaner that can etch concrete if used undiluted or left on for too long. However, when used appropriately, diluted vinegar can effectively clean concrete driveways, removing stains and grime while being a cost-effective and natural cleaning solution.

How to clean a dirty concrete patio?

Use a mild grease-cutting detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a natural or synthetic bristle scrub brush to help brighten the patio surface. NOTE: Never use a wire brush as it can leave rust stains and scratch the concrete surface.

Will baking soda clean concrete?

No single concrete cleaner works for all stains. However, a mixture of one cup of baking soda and two cups of distilled white vinegar, mixed into a paste-like form, is effective at removing many stains from concrete.

Will OxiClean clean concrete?

If your deck is made from concrete, pavers travertine, brick, stamped concrete or composite decking, you can clean and refresh it for summer using OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover.

How do you clean dirty concrete without a pressure washer?

Good Old Scrub: Don't have a pressure hose? No dramas. A stiff-bristled nylon brush and some elbow grease can do the trick. Pair that with a good cleaning solution—like a mix of warm water and powdered laundry detergent—and you'll be laughing.

Does bleach harm concrete?

While bleach will not harm concrete, it might eat away at a concrete sealer or coating, especially if the bleach solution is not rinsed off well after application. Bleach is highly corrosive and can be a serious environmental and health hazard when used incorrectly (see Precautions to Take When Using Bleach).

How do you clean brown concrete?

For tougher stains, cover with baking soda and allow to sit for about 30 minutes. Brush away excess baking soda and discard, then cover again with a light layer of new baking soda. Using a soft brush and a mixture of soap and water, brush the stain until it is removed. Rinse the concrete with water and allow it to dry.

How do you clean hard cement?

How to Remove Hardened Concrete (Dried Concrete) Pour Fuze Products Concrete Remover onto the dried spill and allow it to soak in for 5 to 10 minutes. This product will react with the dried concrete, dissolving it and turnng it into a gel. Break up any remaining residue with a stiff-bristled brush or chisel.

How to make concrete white again?

Muriatic acid can provide that bright white look that new concrete often has. Removes mineral stains. Common mineral stains on concrete are calcium and efflorescence, and muriatic acid can remove both.

How do you clean concrete properly?

Spray the concrete floor with water and then apply a cleaning solution Coat the surface, let it sit a few minutes, and then scrub it with a nylon brush. Rinse it off and the result will be a sparkly clean concrete patio. However, if there are more prominent stains, such as mold or gunk, you should give bleach a go.

Will Dawn dish soap clean concrete?

Ordinary household dish soap as a degreaser is extremely useful for cleaning up oily, grimy concrete stains while avoiding the use of harmful chemicals. Start with two gallons of warm water and a mere two teaspoons of dish soap in a standard bucket.

Is hydrogen peroxide good for cleaning concrete?

You can also use hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners instead of dish soap. Let it sit on the wet stain for about 10 minutes or so, then scrub in a circular motion until the stain is removed.

Does rubbing alcohol clean concrete?

While alcohol can interact with concrete to cause some surface deterioration, damage is generally minor and gradual when exposure is limited. Sealing concrete and taking proper precautions allows safe use of rubbing alcohol for occasional cleaning and disinfecting needs.

How do you remove ingrained dirt from concrete?

Dish soap and water: Dish soap is a degreaser, and it works well to clean oily and grimy concrete. Create a cleaning solution of warm water and few drops of dish soap and apply it to the surface. Let it sit for a while, then mop the patio and rinse it with fresh water. Repeat the process as many times as needed.

How do you make homemade patio cleaner?

Mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of white vinegar. Add 1 tablespoon of dish soap to help the solution cling to vertical surfaces and improve its grease-cutting power. For tougher stains, add ½ cup of baking soda to the mixture for extra scrubbing power.

What is the best thing to clean concrete with?

Enter hydrochloric acid, a heavy-duty cleaning solution. Also known as muriatic acid, this robust cleaning agent can delve deep into concrete, banishing even the most stubborn stains.

How to clean a dirty cement patio?

How to Clean Concrete Patio: 5 Essential Steps
  1. Remove Any Objects and Furniture. Before you begin the cleaning process, clear your patio of any objects, furniture, or decorations. ...
  2. Apply the Concrete Cleaner. ...
  3. Scrub! ...
  4. Rinse With Water and Let It Dry. ...
  5. Optional: Apply Concrete Sealer.

What does WD-40 do to concrete?

WD-40 can do more than eliminate unpleasant door squeaks – it may also help remove oil stains in your driveway, according to Reader's Digest. That's because it has ingredients that can penetrate grease. Spray a liberal amount on the area and let it sit for 20 minutes, adds Organic Lesson, then wipe the area clean.

Is vinegar or bleach better for concrete?

Vinegar is better for the environment and the preferred choice for cleaning concrete as it is cheap and effective. Wash bays are experts in keeping their concrete clean.

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