Let's Examine How To Clean Concrete EffectivelyWhen talking about how to clean concrete - Just spraying it with your garden hose is not what we are after! Why not? After all, It does have its place and a high-pressure nozzle can do a decently for you in a maintenance capacity. Because over the long term, you will probably encounter dirt and stains (i.e. oil or grease) that cannot simply be washed away with cold water. This being the truth, let's learn how to REALLY clean concrete. The first thing you need to consider is the size and finish of the concrete surface that needs cleaning. The type of dirt and/or stains will also greatly affect the method needed to clean the surface effectively. If your concrete surface does not have any oil, grease, rust, or paint stains that need to be removed, using a power-washer will likely be the best method for you to utilize. Here lies a dilemma... should we use hot or cold water when power-washing? This decision will need be based on the degree of "concrete dirtiness" and your budget. Hot water power-washers are more expensive to rent or buy, but will do a more thorough job and get it done more quickly. If you happen to have a neighbor with a hot water power-washer, you are in luck and I would be very nice to him or her so that you can use it :). You see, the hot water can SOMETIMES wear-off oil and grease stains. Cold water power-washers will be cheaper to rent or buy and can often do a very nice cleaning job, depending on what types of dirt have accumulated on your concrete surface. In this case, you only need to be kind of nice to your neighbor if he or she has one ;). A power-washer capable of producing hot water MIGHT help with a grease or oil stain. Chances are that you will need to employ a more creative tactic to remove those very ugly oil or grease stains from your concrete surface. Here is how to clean concrete oil or grease stains non-chemically: The creative tactic... kitty litter. Pour a generous amount upon the oil or grease stain and leave it alone for 48 hours. After 48 hours, use a dust pan and broom to clear away the kitty litter. Then pour some dry cement (not concrete) onto the grease or oil stain. Leave the cement alone for 48 hrs. After 48 hours, clear away the cement in the same manner that you did with the kittly litter. Please note: Do not wet the dry cement or do this when rain is probable. Common sense dictates that the newer the stain is , the better the chance of removing it. Take care of it ASAP. This is the best method I know of how to clean concrete with eyesore oil or grease stains without using industrial grade chemicals.
If the kitty litter method doesn't work or if you think the stain is old enough to require something stronger- a more intensive option is to saturate the oil or grease stain with brake cleaner and scrub it vigorously with a wire brush. If after reading this you have additional questions on how to clean concrete, please don't hesitate to email them to me. Meet-Mr-Concrete.com provides concrete construction advice at no charge and in good faith for consideration only. We do not warrant the implementation of its content and are to be held harmless when and if any advice or ideas provided are utilized. The risk from using it lies entirely with the user. 
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