Many homes in NH have concrete floors in the garage, basement, or patio. These areas also happen to be where we park our vehicles and work on projects, which can result in tough stains. If you want to get rid of those stains on your concrete floors, all you need is a few supplies you can find at your local NH hardware store and a little elbow grease.
With some basic cleaning supplies that you can find at your local NH hardware store, removing stains from concrete is a breeze.
What floor do you have?
Concrete floors fall into four categories: sealed, polished, painted, or unsealed. It’s crucial to know what kind of floor you’re dealing with before trying to tackle a tough stain. Different surfaces require different cleaning products and techniques to remove stains without damaging the floor. With that in mind, let’s move on to what you’ll need to remove those tough stains from your concrete floor.
What do you need?
For all floor types, you’ll need a broom, vacuum, or dust mop and a wet mop. For unsealed concrete floors, you’ll also need a powerwasher or high-pressure garden hose. When it comes to cleaning products, however, that depends on what kind of floor you have. On sealed concrete, you can use dishwashing liquid, and an all-purpose cleaner is what you want for painted concrete. Polished concrete requires a cleaning solution specifically formulated for use on polished concrete. Finally, you should use trisodium phosphate on unsealed concrete.
What should you do?
Before attempting to remove stains from concrete, you want to ensure it is clear of debris and grit that could scratch the surface. Start by sweeping, dry mopping, or vacuuming the floor. Next, wash the surface with the appropriate cleaning solution. If there are still stubborn stains, there are some more steps you can take. Here’s how to remove common stains from concrete:
- Grease: Sprinkle the stained area with cornstarch or dry kitty litter. Let it sit on the stain for three days to absorb the oil before cleaning the area again.
- Food and beverages: Put two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid in a quart of water. Use a stiff brush to scrub the stain.
- Tire marks: Wet the concrete and then spread a degreaser over the stains. Leave the degreaser on the concrete for at least four hours before scrubbing the stain with a stiff brush.
- Rust: Pour distilled white vinegar over the rust stain and leave it for at least half an hour. Scrub with a stiff brush and rinse the floor.
