Cleaning concrete walls, floors, sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces not only restores their appearance. A little TLC can prevent moisture buildup and mold growth, causing concrete to crack and compromise your property’s foundation. Here’s how to clean concrete in a few simple steps!
Remove Leaves and Loose Debris
This is the easiest part! Start by sweeping loose dirt and debris from your concrete surfaces with a broom or vacuum cleaner. This job shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes. For exterior concrete, brush leaves into a pile and throw them in a trash bag. Also, you can pull out any weeds in concrete cracks. Just make sure you remove their roots to stop them from coming back in the future.
Destroy Stains
Stubborn stains can build up on concrete surfaces over time. So, how do you get rid of them? We recommend adding a few drops of liquid laundry detergent to a bowl of lukewarm water and scrubbing them with a stiff nylon brush. Then, rinse your concrete with more lukewarm water and let it dry. For stains that won’t budge, consider investing in a pressure washer. However, follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you don’t damage your surfaces!
Spot Treat Grease and Oil Stains
You’ll probably need something stronger than laundry detergent to remove grease and oil stains on patios, walkways, and other concrete structures. We suggest baking soda, which acts as a mild abrasive to remove blemishes. If that doesn’t work, try a degreaser — a type of industrial cleaner that breaks down grease, oil, and other nasty stuff.
Get Rid of Other Types of Stains
For rust stains on concrete, white vinegar mixed with water could help. Apply this mixture to individual stains and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing with a hard brush. For even more persistent stains, it might be time to call in a professional cleaning company. They can use industrial agents like muriatic acid and trisodium phosphate (TSP) to restore the appearance of your concrete.
Consider Replacing Your Concrete
For stains that won’t go away or concrete with cracks and other damage, consider working with professional concrete repair experts. Here at Mejia’s Quality Concrete, we can replace concrete sidewalks, walls, and other surfaces and help you transform the look and functionality of your home or business.
Call us at (304) 433-4516 for a FREE estimate!
