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.
Best Alkaline Concrete Cleaner—Sunnyside TSP
TSP stands for trisodium phosphate, and it's a heavy-duty cleaner that's sure to lift stains and dirt from concrete. Sunnyside TSP is an affordable and effective solution to messy concrete, particularly indoors as the phosphate can be bad if it reaches outdoor water sources.
According to Hinckley, alkaline cleaners are also the preferred chemical for cleaning soot from concrete. Heavy rust stains can penetrate deeply into concrete, so they can be tough to remove completely. Cleaners containing oxalic acid are most effective.
Wet mop concrete using a pH-neutral cleaner and water. Rinse with water and allow to dry. You can also use liquid laundry detergent and water to remove stains, then scrub the area with a stiff nylon brush.
In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Simply fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and vinegar (or water and baking soda), and add a little bit of liquid dish detergent. Spray the mixture on your concrete surface and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then scrub and rinse your concrete.
What chemical will clean concrete? If you have mildew stains, the best chemical to clean concrete is trisodium phosphate. Combine two tablespoons of the chemical with two tablespoons of powdered laundry detergent and one-quart water. Then, apply it to the stained area and scrub using a stiff brush.
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. Do not use vinegar and baking soda mixture in a power washer. And be sure to protect your hands, eyes, and nose to minimize any irritation.
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.
Product description. OxiClean is a powerful concrete cleaner that works well on various materials, including pavement and grout.
Use Bleach
But that's not all; chlorine bleach can also be used for cleaning the concrete driveway. Of course, you should dilute it with equal parts of water or a 1:1 ratio. With the mixture ready, spray it on the driveway, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes. Then, use a stiff brush before rinsing with clean water.
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.
A quick answer is yes! White vinegar can clean concrete and remove stains. It may not be as powerful as concrete cleaners, but it can clean up concrete stains on a budget. Not to mention that vinegar can also remove germs and bacteria from concrete.
Acid Staining
Acid stains are a reactive coloring process that penetrates into the porous concrete surface. This is probably the most permanent of all coloring options but is usually limited to eight colors.
As a gentler cleaner, bleach can't harm concrete's durable material. Aside from being an effective cleaner and stain remover, it also acts as a disinfectant to the concrete surface.
The Liquid peroxide cleans, refreshes, and brightens concrete, tile, and grout without leaving watermarks or residue in contrast to other cleaning chemicals. Powdered peroxide-based formulas are generally high-performance alkaline, tile and grout cleaners and degreasers that are made for use on heavy-duty concrete.
Pressure washers can penetrate concrete pores and wash out the dirt and grease. Fill the pressure washer soap reservoir with driveway and concrete cleaner, then apply it to the entire surface using a pressure setting of around 3,000 psi. Then rinse it with water.
Scrub the concrete with a nylon-bristled brush and then rinse thoroughly with the garden hose. For extremely heavy stains, a power washer provides a much stronger stream of water to blast away the grime. Use a hose to rinse greenery after the patio is clean.
Mix a solution of 1/8 of a cup liquid dishwashing detergent, ½ cup baking soda, and one gallon of water. Use a soft brush to scrub the mixture into the stain. Rinse, or use sawdust to absorb the soapy water. Sweep the sawdust away.