We’ll explain the best ways to clean concrete floors both indoors and outdoors. While the building material concrete was once relegated to surfaces such as terraces, outdoor floors, basements or garages. Now it is also used for indoor floors and countertops. Concrete, also known as concrete, is exceptionally durable and easy to care for if treated properly.
To protect floors from damage and clean them most effectively, it is essential to know what type of finish is on the concrete. Stains and spills should be cleaned and treated as soon as possible on concrete floors to prevent them from penetrating.
Things to consider
Some aspects you should take into consideration:
- Sealed concrete is coated with acrylic resins, penetrating silicates, epoxies or urethanes, which makes it non-porous and stain resistant.
- Polish concrete: Concrete can be wet or dry polished to a glossy finish that never needs to be waxed or coated. The level of gloss can be chosen, and concrete can be stained to look like marble, granite or any polished stone.
- Acid stained concrete. If grey is not your favourite colour, there are stains in a wide range of colours to colour freshly poured or older concrete. The stains penetrate the concrete and are permanent. The finish can be sealed or left unsealed.
- Stamped for durability. Often called stamped or textured concrete, stamped concrete can replicate stone, brick or even wood. The concrete is usually stained and can be left unsealed or sealed to make it more durable.
- Paint: While concrete accepts stains easily, it is more difficult to achieve a durable surface with oil- or latex-based paint. If the surface has been polished or sealed, the paint will not adhere properly and flaking will occur.
- Concrete poured without any additional treatment is open. This leaves the surface naturally porous and susceptible to staining, particularly liquid stains such as oil.
Sealed concrete floor cleaning
As sealed concrete floors are non-porous, they are resistant to most stains, which makes cleaning very easy. You will need to remove dust and debris from the surface by vacuuming or mopping the dust regularly to help prevent scratches from dirt and grit.
Mix the cleaning solution with a damp mop. Every week, mix warm water and two teaspoons of dishwashing liquid in a bucket or sink. Mop the floor with the solution. Do not use harsh cleaners that can damage the sealant. Reseal if necessary. You will need to rinse and dry the floor and re-wet the floor with clean water to rinse off any soapy residue and then allow the floor to air dry.
Cleaning polished concrete floors
Polished concrete is the easiest concrete to care for because it never needs resealing. Use a hoover to remove dust and debris from the surface. You can clean with a commercial cleaner. When soiled with dirt or spills, wipe with a rag and a commercial polished concrete cleaner that has a neutral pH. Most cleaners do not require rinsing.
Cleaning of painted concrete floors
Painted concrete floors can have sealed or unsealed surfaces. To protect the paint and sealer, it is important to avoid harsh cleaners or acids that can damage the finish.
Regularly mop or vacuum floors to remove surface dirt and grime that can scratch the painted finish. Mix a cleaning solution and use a mop. After vacuuming, mix a cleaning solution of warm water and universal cleaner.
Use a microfibre cloth that is slightly damp with the cleaning solution. Do not use excessive moisture as this can break down the paint and cause it to peel. Then rinse and dry. Always rinse thoroughly with a cloth dampened with running water to remove any soap residue and allow the floor to air dry.
Cleaning of unsealed concrete or exterior concrete floors
Although easy to care for, garage floors, pavements and patios will look their best with a good cleaning. First, you’ll need to remove debris and dirt and sweep society with a stiff-bristled broom or shop vacuum.
The easiest way to clean concrete is with a pressure hose. Wear rubber gloves. If you don’t have one, wet the concrete with a garden hose and use a stiff bristle brush like a broom to distribute the cleaner and scrub. Complete the cleaning with a good rinse and allow the area to air dry.