Want to know how to clean concrete floors?
Concrete floors are durable, but they can be very hard to clean. Most people use hard chemicals that damage the floor’s surface and smell terrible.
These chemicals are very expensive and the results don’t last very long, so you have to keep buying them every single time your concrete floor gets dirty.
Let’s just say that cleaning concrete floors is time-consuming and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s a better way!
Keep reading to discover everything there is to know about concrete floor maintenance from what cleaning products you need, to how often you should clean your floors.
Let’s dive in:
1 . Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
You’ll need to gather some things before you can clean your floors. First, you’ll want to use gloves and goggles to protect yourself. You may also want a mask if you have respiratory issues or allergies. Next, grab a broom and dustpan for larger pieces of dirt.
To clean the whole floor, you might also want a mop and bucket with soapy water so that you can wipe down the surface as well as the grouting between the tiles. A squeegee can help if there are any wet spots on your concrete floor after mopping.
2 . Clear the Floor
When it comes to garage floor maintenance, if you’re planning to clean the whole floor, remove any objects that can’t get wet. This will prevent them from getting damaged or causing a mess when you mop.
If it is difficult to get everything moved in one go, clean the room in two sections. This way you can move half of the stuff to one side of the room and clean the other side.
3 . Sweep or Vacuum
Next, sweep or vacuum the floor. This will help to loosen up dirt that has been sitting on the concrete for a long time. Make sure that you can move the sweeper quickly, as it will suck up more dirt and dust if the bristles aren’t completely packed together.
If your floor is particularly dirty, you may also want to rent a floor buffer. Renting one can help remove tough stains and deep-seated dirt that has settled into the concrete.
4 . Treat Any Stains
Treat any stains in the concrete by scrubbing them with a brush or sponge. If you have larger areas that are stained, you may want to rent a floor buffer again.
This time use the correct pad for your stain-treatment product and follow the directions on its label to remove the discoloration from your concrete flooring.
5 . Scrub Floor With Cleaning Solution
After you have finished scrubbing the stains from your concrete, fill a bucket with soapy water and mop the whole floor. Use a commercially available brick cleaner to help remove any oils that may be on your flooring surface.
For best results, allow that solution to set for about an hour before rinsing it off with a clean mop and clear water.
You can get a concrete scrubber rental here.
6 . Rinse Floor
Rinse the entire floor with a wet-dry vacuum or squeegee. Put a fan in the room if there is still moisture on the surface from mopping or vacuuming as this will make it easier for you to rinse up all of those droplets.
If you don’t have access to either tool, simply use a microfiber towel to soak up the excess water so you don’t have to touch it with your hands.
7 . Allow Floor to Dry
After rinsing, allow the floor to dry completely before walking on it again. If there are still wet spots on the surface, wait for them to evaporate completely before leaving any shoes or furniture in that area because they might absorb moisture and warp.
8 . Mop Again if Necessary
If your concrete is very dirty or greasy, you may need to mop it a second time. This time use this same solution but call a professional cleaner beforehand if you do not know how much soap should be used for cleaning concrete floors.
9 . Finish Up With Polish
After the floor has dried, you can finish up by polishing it. Use a buffer or broom to apply polish according to the manufacturer’s directions. Buff the surface in small circles to help distribute the cleaner evenly.
10 . Sweep Up Any Excess Polish
When you’re done with the polishing process, sweep up any excess polish that may have accumulated on your concrete floors. Doing this will allow you to keep these areas clean so they won’t attract dust and dirt.
Then, enjoy having a bright new-looking floor! Now that your floor is clean, be sure to seal it before anyone can track in mud or other contaminates again. Also never use bleach on your sealed concrete surfaces as it might damage them.
Sealers are inexpensive and an investment well worth making for better-looking floors that stay cleaner longer.
11 . Add Anchor Strips if Necessary
If you have polished your floor, avoid using adhesive carpet protectors because they can pull up the polish. Instead, apply special rubberized strips to hold your carpets in place if necessary.
How to Clean Concrete Floors
After reading this blog post, you should have a better understanding of how to clean concrete floors. The process is easy and the steps are simple.
We hope that you enjoyed our blog on cleaning concrete floors. If so, please feel free to share it with friends or family who might also be interested in learning more about this topic!
Also, visit our blog to learn more about how to clean polished concrete floors, and how to clean paint off of concrete floors.