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.
One of the most popular options is a simple mixture of warm water, washing up liquid, and white vinegar. This combination works well on patio grime, and the vinegar adds an extra punch to help tackle tougher stains. Another option is bleach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A popular homemade patio cleaner is a mixture of warm water, washing up liquid, and white vinegar. This combination effectively breaks down dirt and grime, making it easier to scrub away.
The best choice is a non-corrosive and non-degrading cleaning formula like Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Cleaner, which uses the natural power of peroxide to provide high-performance cleaning and stain removal, without toxic or abrasive chemicals.
It's simple to create a vinegar and water solution for patio cleaning. Simply mix an equal amount of white vinegar and water. However, for patios with tougher stains, you can increase the vinegar concentration slightly more than the 1:1 ratio to make the solution more potent.
Cleaning concrete with muriatic acid can be a highly effective solution if used correctly, providing ultra-bright white concrete and removal of many types of stains. In one application, you can remove rust stains, oil stains, algae, and paint splatter with a quick chemical application followed by pressure washing.
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).
Some contractors use at least a little degreaser for most jobs, even to remove dirt, which can be somewhat oily. According to Hinckley, alkaline cleaners are also the preferred chemical for cleaning soot from concrete.
Generally, epoxy sealers are applied to extremely high-traffic areas and to prevent chemical spills because they offer excellent protection. Acrylic sealers are often used to block water penetration for residential applications and decorative 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.
Cleaning concrete with vinegar or baking soda is a good option if you are looking for a natural cleaner. While cleaning concrete with bleach or detergent can be effective, it can also be toxic to plants.
Detergents for cleaning concrete can range from formulas designed for concrete to regular household dish soap. These soaps are surfactants that can mix with water and bind to dirt, dislodging it. Most are environmentally friendly and don't require any protective gear (gloves, goggles) to handle.
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.
Vinegar or baking soda: These natural cleaners work well to clean cement patios with stubborn charcoal or rust spots. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, scrub the patio with the mixture, then give it a good rinse. If stains don't dissolve, try undiluted vinegar.
You can clean your patio easily with warm, soapy water and a scrubbing brush. Use a vinegar and water solution to remove tougher stains. If you don't want to scrub your patio yourself or need to remove ground-in dirt, you can clean it with a pressure washer.
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.
Baking soda is another natural, environmentally friendly concrete cleaner. It's mildly abrasive, making it effective at removing grease, oil and grime from concrete surfaces. It's highly alkaline, which means it won't damage your concrete.