Most people prefer having concrete garage floors because this material is durable and can withstand wear and tear. However, one should regularly clean their concrete garage floor to care for and maintain it. A garage is susceptible to oil, grime, and tire scratches that may permanently stain the garage floors if they build up over time. It makes it hard to clean your garage floor since you must scrub and brush the floors aggressively to remove these stains.
This article will focus on various tips you can implement for cleaning your concrete garage floor, ensuring it is spotless.
Clear Your Garage Space
It may seem obvious, but many people often forget to clear their garage space before cleaning the floors. As such, you should remove all the items that aren’t affixed to the garage floor since they will get in the way while you clean. You could damage some of the items, especially those that are not water-resistant.
Move all the cars, bikes, boxes, and other tools out of the garage before starting the cleanup. You should store some items on the shelves to reduce the workload of rearranging your garage after the cleanup. The more materials you get out of the way, the easier it is to clean your garage, and the better job you will do.
Sweep the Concrete Garage Floor Regularly
Dust and dirt may accumulate if you do not clean your concrete garage floor often. As such, it will make it difficult for you to clean it. De-icing salt may accumulate on your floor during the winter, which may wear down your concrete, forcing you to replace your concrete garage floor.
You should sweep your garage floor regularly with a brush to sweep off the dust and dirt. This minimizes your cleanup work and makes it easy to scrub the concrete floor. Besides aiding in your cleaning, sweeping the floor regularly helps maintain your garage floor.
Consider Various Stain Removal Methods
Consider multiple stain removal methods before cleaning your garage. The stain removal method you use depends on your garage stains. There are many stains you should expect in your garage, which include:
- Grease stains: Your car’s automotive grease may leak, contaminating your garage floor. These stains are difficult to remove if you wait for them to dry completely, but degreasers do the trick.
- Oil stains: You should expect to notice oil stains on the floor, especially from your car, lawn mower, or other machines stored in the garage. You may also spill some oil on the floor, staining it. Degreasers may also be helpful for these stains.
- Tire marks: Tire marks are common in the garage, and you should eradicate them during your cleanup.
- Rust stains: Rust stains are also common, especially on concrete garage floors. Garage tools like hammers and nails may leave rusty spots on the floor, but degreasers and other handy mixtures can help.
Let’s look at the stain removal methods you should consider.
Using Natural Acid
You should check the acid’s concentration before using it to remove stains on your concrete garage floor. Lemon juice and vinegar are weak natural acids and are ideal for stain removal.
For instance, rust stains are common in the garage because of the stored metallic objects. Although these stains are frustrating, they are easy to remove. You only need to pour either lemon juice or vinegar on the stains before scrubbing.
In some instances, the stain can be a nuisance, thus requiring thorough cleaning. You should use a highly concentrated acid. For example, you can consider muriatic acid, which is very concentrated. You should mix it with ten parts of water to ensure it does not corrode your concrete floor.
The main precautionary measure you should take when handling this acid is that you should wear gloves to avoid corrosion. Ensure the acid you choose does not negatively impact your floor because the concrete may crack even though it is strong.
Using a Detergent
You may consider using normal detergents to fight your garage stains. For instance, you can use the normal dish soap, which when mixed properly, will eradicate all the stains without leaving any residue. The type of detergent you use is imperative. You shouldn’t use mild detergents when cleaning your concrete garage floors. These detergents may not be very effective in eradicating stains.
Consider heavy-duty cleaners, such as a degreaser, that are ideal for concrete floors.
The main shortcoming of this method is that it can be laborious. This is because you may have to scrub the stain off the concrete using a stiff brush.
If some stains have dried on the concrete, you may have to use a lot of pressure while brushing, which is tiresome. It can be strenuous if there are many stains on the garage floor.
Using the Cat Litter
It may seem strange, but cat litter may be an effective stain removal method if you have a cat. Your cat’s litter is very absorbent and may aid in eradicating oil stains without using other chemicals.
However, you will require clay-based litter to ensure this stain removal method is effective. It entails spreading traces of the litter on the stain and using a pressure washer on the concrete floor. The main shortcoming of this method is that it is time-consuming since you may have to wait a few days for the litter to eradicate all the stains effectively.
Consider Applying a Sealer on the Concrete Garage Floor
You should implement this tip after cleaning your concrete garage floor. The main benefit of applying a concrete sealant is that it aids in maintaining the floor and preventing future stains.
You will spend less time removing various stains on your garage floor when cleaning it in the future. You can also consult a concrete contractor to help you choose the right sealer. A concrete sealant will increase the lifespan of your concrete garage floor.
Get the Clean Garage Floor of Your Dreams Today
Cleaning your concrete garage floor regularly is an effective maintenance method. Most people focus on cleaning but fail to implement different tips to ensure the cleaning process is effective.
For instance, some people just set the pressure washer on, or pour water on the garage floor and scrub it before considering various things, such as using the right stain remover method to eradicate the stains. Furthermore, some do not clear their garage space when cleaning, thus leaving some spots unattended.
As such, these tips will help you with your cleaning process and ensure your concrete garage floors are spotless and well-maintained. For all of your driveway and paving services, contact our knowledgeable team today.