How To Clean Concrete

Over the long term, you will probably encounter dirt and stains on concrete (i.e. oil or grease) that cannot simply be washed away with cold water.

That being the truth, here's how to REALLY clean concrete. The first thing 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 you use hot or cold water when power-washing? This decision will need be based on the severity of "concrete dirtiness" and your budget.


Power Wash

Hot water power-washers are more expensive to rent or buy, but will do a more thorough job and get your concrete cleaning 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 because these puppies are expensive!

The hot water at high pressure 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.




Removing Oil and Grease

Here is how to clean concrete oil or grease stains without using chemicals:

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.

Chemical Warfare

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.


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