While concrete may appear to be impervious to dirt, it’s not. When it comes to stained concrete flooring, you’ll want to keep it in top condition. This way, the color won’t fade, and the sheen will remain. In this article, I’ll guide you on how to clean stained concrete floors. Additionally, I’ll tell you how to get rid of common persistent stains.
While you’re at it, you may want to clean the other floors in your house too.
We have another article about cleaning wooden floors. Go check it out!
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Methods To Clean Stained Concrete Floors
Beforehand you may procrastinate, but eventually, you have to go clean stained concrete floors. The longer you postpone, the more effort it is going to take. However, I’m here to assure you that it’s not that hard if you start on time. These floors are relatively easy to clean and maintain.
All you have to do is mop the floor and apply a sealer as an extra layer of protection. Now, let me guide you on how to clean both indoor and outdoor concrete floors.
How To Clean Stained Concrete Floors Indoors
Most people recognize concrete as an outdoor application. It can, however, work equally well indoors as well.
Typically, indoor concrete has a finish to provide a good shine and smoothness. In addition, it’s designed for foot activity to give a good grip and a long-lasting gloss.
Nevertheless, even though the concrete is indoors, it can still get dirty. Therefore, it needs constant cleaning and protection.
The 4 Steps to Cleaning Indoor Concrete Floors
Follow these steps to clean your indoor polished concrete floor:
- Vacuum the floor.
- Apply a cleaning solution. We recommend using Aunt Fannie’s Floor Cleaner Vinegar Wash if you want something pet-safe and environmentally friendly.
- Mop the floor.
- Let the floor dry and re-seal afterward.
Apply a Floor Sealer
Stained concrete is basically a concrete block with some added color. Thus, to help extend the life of your flooring, you should apply a floor sealer. It’ll also improve the color of the floor and add gloss.
For stained concrete, it’s advisable to use a water-based sealer. The sealer should have a solid content of 20% to 25% to help it breathe. Plus, these types of sealers are easier to apply.
How To Clean Stained Concrete Floors Outdoors
Concrete is one of the best choices for outdoor flooring because it’s incredibly resilient. It’s also ideal for adding color and elegance to your outside space.
However, because it’s constantly exposed to the elements, it’s prone to accumulating dirt and debris.
The 9 Steps to Cleaning Outdoor Concrete Floors
- Remove any debris. Use a broom or a blower.
- Wash the concrete with a hose. You can also use a power washer to speed up the cleaning procedure and remove any stubborn dirt and surface stains.
- Apply your preferred detergent and scrub with a firm brush pick one with plastic bristles rather than metal. The latter may fall off and get stuck in the tiny fissures in the concrete and rust.
- Rinse the floor well. Perhaps pressure wash it.
- Apply a new coat of sealer. Allow at least half a day for it to dry completely. As a general rule, you should reapply a sealant coat annually.
- Apply a wax finish. Pour the wax into a spray bottle. Spray it directly on a microfiber mop head, then wipe the floor. Avoid cotton mops since they can leave smears on the concrete surface.
- Check if you didn’t forget to wax any spots.
- Let the wax dry for 2 hours. Once the wax has set, consider applying a second layer.
- Polish the floor and give it a nice sheen. Use a floor buffer or a polishing machine.
Complex Concrete Stains
Even though some spots are hard to remove, there are ways to remove even the most stubborn marks. Here are the most common persistent stains and how to clean them.
Grease Stains
Concrete is prone to grease and oil stains. The longer it sets in, the harder it’ll be to clean. So, make sure you wipe away spills, stains, and smears as soon as they happen.
You can get rid of grease as follows:
- Cover the stain with a generous amount of baking soda. Leave for half an hour.
- Wet a brush with warm water and add a few drops of soap to the bristles.
- Scrape the spot with baking soda until it’s no longer visible.
- Wash the area and leave to dry.
Tire Marks
Tire marks are expected to show up on outdoor concrete surfaces. Unfortunately, they won’t go away on their own, even if you hose them down. So, you’ll have to remove them yourself.
The best way to do it is by using a degreaser. Here’s how:
- Wet the tire marks and cover them with a degreaser.
- Let the degreaser sit for half an hour. If it starts to dry, apply some more.
- Then, using a firm brush, scrub the area with water.
- Once the marks are fully gone, rinse off the degreaser with water.
Rust Stains
When metal interacts with water, it can rust, and this rust can spread to your concrete ground.
With big rust stains, you need something more potent, like an oxalic acid-based rust remover.
It’s designed to get rid of stubborn stains by dissolving the rust. Yet, bear in mind that it’s toxic, so be extra careful when applying it.
For more superficial rust stains, all you need is some vinegar and some elbow grease. Take a look.
- Apply a solution of distilled white vinegar to the spots. Leave it to set in for at least half an hour.
- Scrub the area with a stiff brush until all the rust is gone.
- Finally, rinse the entire area.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to clean stained concrete floors, your surfaces will be as good as new. All you have to do now is scrub the floor with your preferred cleanser.
However, you need to pay more attention to your outdoor concrete floor. You’ll also need a sealant and a layer of wax to ensure your floors remain clean and shiny.
