Also called “concrete degreasers,” alkaline cleaners effectively remove hydrocarbon-based stains such as oil and grease. Their high pH level or alkalinity breaks down oily substances and “lifts” oil and grease stains from the concrete, making surface cleaning a lot easier.
Some common chemicals used for cleaning concrete include alkaline cleaners, acid cleaners, and enzymatic cleaners. Alkaline cleaners are effective for removing general dirt and grime, while acid cleaners are used for removing rust stains or mineral deposits.
Apply a degreaser or concrete cleaner before power washing. Start at the highest point and work your way down. Keep the nozzle about 12" from the surface, getting too close could cause damage. Use a steady, sweeping motion as you move back and forth across the concrete.
Vinegar and Baking Soda. Vinegar and baking soda are great alternatives to bleach; they won't harm the surrounding plants and still get the job done. Apply a 1:1 ratio, 1 part of water, and 1 part of white vinegar or baking soda, then spray the solution or apply it on the surface and let it sit.
To maintain the lighter color of a concrete driveway, many homeowners turn to cleaning with bleach, but you should not power wash with bleach because it can damage your pressure washer.
It's not necessary, but you can absolutely use soap or detergent when pressure washing your house. Washing with a mixture of soap and water will ensure your siding is spotless when you're finished. However, in many cases it is not necessary to use soap and you can still achieve a powerful result without any product.
A recipient of the Safer Choice label, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can be used in pressure washers and on all washable surfaces, and easily removes tough dirt and grime without the use of caustic chemicals.
In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return.
You can power wash concrete all year as long as the temperature is about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Most homeowners and businesses prefer to do it in the spring or summer to reduce the spread and growth of algae and mold. It also reduces pollen, which can affect allergies.
Concrete cleaning calls for powerful pressure washers featuring high pressure levels of 3000 PSI. However, if you will be using the power cleaner to maintain a range of surfaces in addition to concrete, choose one with adjustable pressure levels and set it to about 3000 PSI when you need to clean concrete.
What's being sprayed on the concrete pavement is a curing compound. It goes on pink so crews can see where it has been applied, but it dries clear. This curing compound is sprayed on to prevent moisture from evaporating from the freshly placed concrete.
The white pigment reflects the sun's rays to help keep the concrete surface cooler and prevent excessive heat buildup. 1600-WHITE is ideal for application on exterior, horizontal surfaces, such as highways, airports, and street and curb paving. 1600-WHITE is not recommended for residential applications.
Best Time of Day to Power Wash
House washing can be performed at basically any time of the day, as long as you have sufficient light needed to safely complete the job. Extreme summer heat can make it difficult to properly wash your house, especially while working with certain chemicals.
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
How effective is soap over plain old water? It works, but all else being equal, water has a greater marginal effect. Health professionals recommend handwashing before eating, after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and other situations in which you might come into contact with harmful bacteria.
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.
If you want to clean your driveway quickly and efficiently, use a pressure washer of at least 3100 PSI. Using pressure washers with pressures ranging from 1000 to 2300 PSI will also help you clean your driveway, but it will take a long time.
Yes, vinegar is an excellent concrete cleaner. This solution can strip surface-level messes from concrete. Due to its acidic properties, vinegar can be a powerful tool for breaking down offensive materials such as dirt, stains, and bacteria.
Use Concrete Sealer After Power Washing
It soaks up everything! An effective pressure wash cleans the pores of your concrete. Make sure to apply concrete sealer after pressure washing.
Here's a short list of some of the usual chemicals used in commercial pressure washing: Oxalic acid – useful in rust removal and other similar cleaning processes. Citric acid – stain removal and cleaning of concrete driveways or wooden decks. Sodium hypochlorite – disinfects and removes stains.
You can use Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Cleaner to clean a concrete patio with or without a pressure washer. It removes oil, grease, grime and most stains and discolorations. Its biodegradable formula is safe for lawns and pets.