One task that rarely appears on your list of things to do is cleaning the floor of your garage. However, substantial clutter and dirt can accumulate without routine cleaning and upkeep, leaving the garage in bad shape. Your garage floor will last longer and remain safe for you and your family if you regularly clean it to remove debris, chemicals, and unpleasant stains.
Steps for Cleaning Concrete Garage Floors
The procedures needed to clean garage flooring are rather simple. Depending on how dirty the concrete is, different scrubbing techniques or specific cleaning chemicals could be required.
- Prepare the garage
- Remove all items from the garage floor
- Soak the concrete with a degreaser or cleaning solution
- Scrub or pressure wash the concrete
- Rinse the garage floor
- Move to a new section and repeat until the entire garage floor is clean
How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains from Concrete Garage Floors
In a garage, there will inevitably be the occasional oil or grease stain. Fluids may leak from vehicles, lawnmowers, and other outdoor power equipment. When using tools, you also run the risk of spilling a few drops of oil. To prevent sliding on new oil, trailing it into the home, or creating a tenacious stain, it is essential to attempt to wipe up these spills as soon as possible.
Cat litter or sawdust can be used to soak up new spills of grease or oil. After leaving the litter or sawdust in the mess for approximately a day, sweep it up and properly dispose of it.
After you have finished sweeping, apply laundry detergent or dry dish soap to the stain. Give it 45 minutes to sit. After that, apply water to the area and scrub with a nylon-bristle brush to avoid scratching the concrete. Rewash after letting the soap soak for ten to fifteen minutes. After cleaning, rinse with a power jet wand, diluting the soapy water, and directing it away from the garage.
Older stains are harder to get rid of. You may either carry out the cleaning procedure many times or purchase a degreasing solution from a home improvement or building supply store. Even with these treatments, you might need to use them and scrape at the spots numerous times.
Removing food grease stains on concrete
A dish being carried across the floor while covered in fluids or grill grease can leave difficult marks. Always attempt to blot up a concrete stain with a paper towel as soon as possible. Use the following strategy if the stain is persistent or if it is an older stain.
- Laundry detergent should be used on the stain. Use water to turn dry detergent into a paste if you are using it.
- Be careful to completely cover the area.
- Tape the plastic wrap over the detergent to keep it in place. By doing this, water cannot wash the detergent away.
- Overnight, let the detergent sit.
- The following morning, wash it off with water after brushing it with a gentle brush.
How to Remove Paint from Concrete Garage Floors
It might be difficult to remove paint stains. But if you follow a few straightforward measures, you ought to be able to get rid of them. After removing any loose paint with a putty knife, sweep the area surrounding the stain.
Wear gloves, follow the label’s instructions, and make a Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) and water solution. Apply the remedy to the stain and scrape any residual paint with it. Use water to rinse. Scrape off any last pieces of paint from the concrete floor, then re-rinse.
You might require a professional paint remover for stubborn paint spots. Before scrubbing or scraping the concrete, let this solution sit on the stain for several hours. Make sure the garage is properly aired and wear gloves.
Common Cleaners to be used in floor garages
Garage floor cleaning solutions that are degreasing, detergent, and grease-cutting dish soap work nicely. A cleaner for concrete is another option. TSP and other harsh compounds are suggested by some experts to be avoided since they hurt the environment.
Homemade Concrete Cleaning Solution
Regular cleaning will help maintain your garage floor clean by repelling dirt and oil with a baking soda and water solution. Use a gallon of warm water and half a cup of baking soda as an all-purpose cleanser.
Additionally, you may form a paste out of baking soda and a few drops of liquid soap and use it to scrape away minor stains.
Never underestimate the ability of warm, soapy water to maintain the cleanliness of your floors and get rid of little stains. With a nylon-bristle brush, scrub the surface after adding roughly a third cup of powdered laundry detergent to a gallon of warm water. Always use your power jet wand to rinse your garage floor after cleaning. Because of its strong stream, the power jet wand is ideal for this task because it will make rinsing quick and simple.
A garage is a busy space, so spills inevitably happen. Clean up any stains that are already there with a little elbow grease, and deal with any spills as soon as they happen. Cleaning your concrete garage floor is simple if you take small, manageable steps.
Prevent Garage Stains in the First Place
The easiest way to prevent stains on a cement garage is by using a concrete sealer. Use a paint roller or sprayer to apply them yourself if you are up for the effort. If not, call a professional.
Yearly cleaning of garage concrete flooring is a must. Before starting the cleaning process, this is also a wonderful opportunity to check for damage and make any required repairs.
If you are not sure what to use to clean your concrete patio, test a cleaning solution in a hidden or shaded area to be sure it will not stain the concrete. Once you have mastered the technique, thoroughly clean the garage while wearing safety gear and taking all essential measures.
Conclusion
There is a wide range of suggestions on how to clean stains on your garage floor. Luckily, there is also an option for a homemade cleaning solution.