HOW TO CLEAN CONCRETE

If you're trying to figure out how to clean your concrete, you've found the right page.rnCleaning concrete isn't an exact science. What I mean is, it depends on the kind of substance you're trying to remove from the concrete.rnIs it an organic material like dirt or leaf residue?rnOr is it an in-organic material like oil or grease?rnOr.... is it dog or cat urine? rnAll these have different methods if you want to achieve the best results and get your concrete clean again.rnHaving been in the concrete business for over 30 years, I'll share with you what's worked best for me when I'm cleaning concrete for my customers. Concrete work OKC area CLEANING EXTERIOR CONCRETErnMy best method for cleaning concrete is with a pressure washer. A pressure washer will remove most, if not ALL, of the dirt and mold related issues when it comes to getting your concrete clean again. This method includes cleaning concrete driveways, concrete patios, pool decks, concrete stairs, stamped concrete, sidewalks, and walkways. It even includes cleaning concrete walls and retaining walls.rnIf you've got a pool deck that's discolored and dirty, a good pressure washing will remove the dirt, mold, mildew, leaves, and bird droppings, making it look like new again. Same goes for a dirty concrete driveway.rnHaving the right pressure washer and cleaning accessories will make the job even easier.rnWHAT TOOLS YOU'LL NEEDrnMost pressure washers will do just fine. I like ones like this with at least 3000 psi pressure. It gives you just enough power without being too big and heavy. Along with the pressure washer you'll want to get one of these surface cleaners to attach to the wand. This will cut your cleaning time in half. These work great for removing dirt, mold, and mildew. It also does a good job of containing the water so everything else doesn't get wet. FOR CLEANING SMALL AREAS OR SPOTSrnIf all you have is a small area to clean or just a few spots then you probably don't need a pressure washer. I use both a stiff bristle scrub brush and a drill brush. Both these brushes along with a cleaning agent are great for small areas.rnJust rinse the area with a garden hose, mix some cleaning agent in a bucket and apply it to the dirty concrete.rnScrub the area with the scrub brush or the drill brush and rinse again. Repeat as many times as you need to. Your concrete will be cleaner.rnIf the area is just not getting as clean as you like with soap and water, check out some of my other suggestions below. SOME CLEANING DETERGENTS THAT WORKrnIf after, or during pressure washing you don't think the concrete is getting as clean as you like, then try some Dawn dish detergent or Simple Green.rnEither one of these usually does the job for me.rnMix two tablespoons in a 5 gallon bucket of water and scrub the dampened concrete. rnSoaps like these even work good to remove lightly stained areas from oil and grease. The soap will re-emulsify the oil and then you can remove it by rinsing it away.rnOnce you're done scrubbing, pressure wash the area again and rinse off any soapy residue. This method has worked the best for us in most cases.rnNATURAL REMEDIES YOU CAN TRYrnI've used vinegar and water to clean concrete. Mix 1 part vinegar to 1 part water for a fairly strong cleaning solution.rnI've also used lemon juice and water. You can either buy lemon juice and mix 16 oz per gallon or you can just squeeze some lemons into a glass of water for small areas to concrete to clean.rnI've also used baking soda, 1/2 cup to 1 gallon of water is a good mixture to try at first.rnYou can also mix 2 Cups of baking soda with 1 Cup of Bleach in a gallon of water for a stronger solution.rnPour this on your concrete and scrub it into the surface. It will remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew and some staining.rnAll these cleaning solutions have worked for me at one time or another on various types of concrete.rnJust be aware that vinegar and lemon juice are acidic, you don't want to use too strong of a solution or it could etch the concrete.rnThis mostly applies to polished concrete, concrete countertops, or stained concrete.rnIf you don't want to mix your own solution at home, there is a good vinegar based cleaner as an alternative that's already mixed with water.rnNOTE: Always try cleaning in an inconspicuous area first if you can. See how the cleaning solution will react with your concrete before you try it in a large area.