A Guide to Cleaning Concrete Floors & Driveways Effectively

Over time, the dirt and grime that accumulate on concrete floors can cause damage such as cracks and etching. The good news is that cleaning concrete floors and driveways isn’t a complicated process. You can remove dirt, grime, stains, and even mold from your floors and driveways as long as you have the proper tools. In no time, your floors will look like new!

In this guide, we’ll show you how you can clean concrete floors and driveways at home easily.

Consider the Concrete Finish

The first step is to determine what type of finish was applied to the concrete. You should determine if the concrete has been sealed. If it was, you need to know the type of sealer used. Why is this important? Sealed concrete shouldn’t be cleaned with any harsh chemicals. Therefore, when you know the exact finish used for the concrete, you can find the right cleaning products that won’t cause damage to the concrete.

Prep the Concrete

No matter the concrete finish, cleaning the floor will always require some preparation. This is the most important step in cleaning a concrete floor.

For the best results, you should remove any furniture, objects, or rugs from the room and sweep or vacuum the floor. This will remove any loose debris.

Use a Gentle Cleanser

A gentle cleanser will help you remove stains from the floor and give it a great shine. Just make sure to read the packaging and follow the directions.

Depending on the severity of the stains, you’ll want to apply the cleanser at full strength or mix it with a small amount of water before applying it to the floor. Then, dip your mop bucket in the solution and mop the floor.

You’ll want to mop the floor in one direction and then another for the best results. This will help prevent streaking and ensure you cover the entire floor.

Consider a Commercial Concrete Cleaner

These cleaners are often more potent and can remove tougher stains. Be sure to follow the directions on the packaging, so you don’t mess up the finish. For a sealed floor, you’ll want to avoid using cleaners that contain bleach or acid.

Power Wash Outdoor Concrete

If the floor is outdoors and exposed to dirt and grime, power washing will make your life a lot easier. If you have a gas-powered pressure washer, you can easily remove stains and mold from your concrete. Just make sure you don’t damage your cement with a pressure washer.

Apply a Sealer

No matter what type of finish you have on your floor, you should use a sealer to protect it from the elements. It will keep water from getting underneath the concrete finish and causing damage. This is especially important for concrete floors that are located outdoors.

If you want to protect your concrete from moisture, you should use a penetrating sealer. It goes deep into the concrete and blocks the moisture from getting underneath.

Also note that penetrating sealers leave a white residue. If you don’t like the look, you can just use a concrete floor finish instead.

Start Cleaning

Now that you have a plan in place, you are ready to start cleaning! Follow this guide and cleaning concrete floors and driveways will be such a breeze.

Are you looking for hardscape contractors in Alexandria, VA? Nav Construction is the top provider of quality residential and commercial concrete. Get in touch with us!