First off, you need to determine how to handle the stain. If it’s a minor and/or fresh spill, simply wipe it up with a clean paper or microfiber towel. If it’s been sitting for a while or is large enough to require more than a quick wipe, keep reading. Show
Prep WorkBefore beginning any stain removal project, you’ll want to prep your work area first by sweeping the floor to clear away dirt and debris. Use either a soft-bristle broom or a dust mop. If it’s been a while since the last full cleaning, you might want to consider sweeping the entire floor rather than just the stained area. If so, move any furniture, toolboxes and other items out of the way. Now it’s time to get your cleaning solution ready. Because epoxy coating is designed to resist damage, most stains can be lifted with a simple mixture of hot water and ammonia. The measurements don’t have to be exact, but it’s recommended to work with about 4 to 5 ounces of ammonia per gallon of water. Soap products aren’t recommended because they can leave a dull film behind. CleaningNow that your floor is swept and cleared of obstacles, you’ll need to mop with your cleaning solution. You’ll want to use a mop made from synthetic fibers, as natural fibers can get trapped on the coating and lead to problems later. Mop from the farthest point of the room or garage to the door so that you don’t accidentally trap yourself in a corner while waiting for the floor to dry. ScrubbingMopping should be enough to get rid of most stains. However, some tougher stains might require a little more work. In this case, use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the stain with the same water and ammonia mixture. Be sure the bristles aren’t too hard or inflexible, since they can scratch or otherwise damage the epoxy. If the ammonia mixture isn’t cutting it, try a gentle kitchen scrub, but make certain it doesn’t contain bleach. You should never mix bleach with ammonia due to the toxic fumes that result. Clean-UpOnce the stain has been removed, it’s time to finish up. Rinse the floor with clean water to clear away as much leftover residue as possible. Next, you’ll need to dry the floor. It’s important not to leave standing water; besides being slippery and creating a safety hazard, it can also lead to mold and mildew, particularly along the seams of the floor near walls. Use a squeegee to sop up excess water. If possible, such as in a garage setting, you can work from the back of the room to the front and push the extra water out the door. If that isn’t an option, use the squeegee until it becomes saturated, squeeze the water into a bucket, and then repeat until the floor is completely dry. MaintenanceNow that your floor is clean and dry, you’ll want to take some simple preventative measures to keep it that way. This can be as easy as putting down a mat near the door to trap dirt, leaves and other debris from visitors’ feet before they walk in. You’ll also want to sweep periodically so that small particles aren’t ground into the coating over time. Check out this post on epoxy floor coating maintenance tips for more. Have more questions about maintenance? Looking to install a new floor? Contact us for a free consultation and additional guidance. Over the years, concrete can accumulate quite a few nasty stains. From oil in the driveway to grill grease on the backyard patio, these stains leave your concrete looking dated and unappealing, especially if they were there when you moved in. No need to worry, though! You can usually remove those stains easily and quickly, depending on how old it is. Here’s how to remove all types of stains from concrete. Why does concrete stainConcrete consists of natural materials: water, sand, gravel and cement. While cement doesn’t naturally occur, it is made from limestone, clay, sand and iron ore, all-natural materials. As a result, concrete is porous, just like any other natural material. It absorbs anything that makes its way to its surface. Because of this, it is important to try to address spills as soon as possible. Soak up as much of the spilled material as you can with paper towels. Or cover the area with an absorbent material like clay or clumping cat litter on the affected area. Work it in with a stiff broom or brush and leave it for at least an hour. (Older stains may take up to 24 hours.) Then, sweep away the absorbent. This may get rid of new and small stains entirely. If the concrete stain remains, follow the steps below, depending on what type of stain you are dealing with, to rid your concrete of it. Removing oil stains from concreteOil from your car, lawnmower, or other motorized equipment can create particularly difficult concrete stains. If you still have a stain after blotting with a paper towel or using an absorbent material to soak up the oil, you may be able to remove the oil using laundry detergent or a mixture of vinegar, washing soda, and dish soap. However, a degreaser is the most effective approach. Tip: Never use bleach as it will strip the grey color from the cement leaving your driveway, garage floor or patio with a discolored spot. You should also avoid using steel wool or a brush with hard bristles on your concrete as these can damage the concrete. To remove an oil stain from your concrete using a degreaser, follow these steps:
Stubborn stains may require extra action. Try mixing one cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) in a gallon of hot water and pouring this over the stain. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes and scrub with a brush. Wash off with your hose and repeat as necessary. Removing food grease stains on concreteGrease from the grill or juices dribbled from a platter being carried across the patio can cause tricky stains. As always with a concrete stain, immediately try to blot it up with a paper towel. If the stain persists or you’re dealing with an older stain, tackle it with the following approach.
Removing paint stains from concreteOverspray from a project can leave your concrete stained. Depending on how long the paint has been there, you may never fully be able to get the color out of the concrete. However, by following these steps you’ll at least be able to minimize the stain.
Removing rust stains from concreteWhether caused by a forgotten tool exposed to the elements or iron patio furniture, rust stains on concrete are relatively common. You can remove them with minimal effort. A newer stain may only require the use of a common acid like lemon juice or vinegar. Pour juice or vinegar on the stain, let it sit, scrub, rinse and repeat if necessary. For tougher rust stains, you may need a commercial rust remover. To remove a rust stain using a commercial product, read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow the recommendations for application. Leave the product on for at least 15 minutes or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can scrub the stain with a brush if the stain is particularly tough. Rinse with water, and repeat. Removing dirt and foliage stains on concreteSometimes, dirt and leaves that accumulate on the concrete for long periods can stain it. Removing these brown stains can be just as tricky as any other, especially if they are old. To get rid of these stains, do the following:
Removing pet stains from concreteIf you have a dog run or your four-legged friend has the occasional mishap on the back patio, you may have pet stains to contend with. Not only do those stains look bad, but thanks to the porous nature of concrete, they smell bad, too. As a result, it isn’t enough to deal with how look. You also need to eliminate the odor. Take these steps to rid yourself of both:
Removing bird droppings from concreteBirds can make quite a mess, especially if they roost on your roof and make a habit of leaving their waste on concrete. The process of removing bird droppings from your driveway, patio or walkways is similar to removing pet stains. However, if the birds have been eating berries or other foods, the stains left behind may take a few extra steps.
How to clean concrete with a pressure washerYou can remove many of the stains above using a pressure washer. If you don’t already own one, you can rent a pressure washer at most home improvement stores. Before you get started, make sure you have the appropriate pressure washer spray tip or nozzle. Narrow-pattern spray trips work best on tough stains but can damage the concrete, so select the tip depending on how tough the stain is.
You may need to break this down into sections so the cleaner-sprayed concrete doesn’t dry completely before you wash the cleaner away. If you are pressure washing your concrete to remove stains, you may need to repeat the process several times in difficult areas. Or try one of the stain-specific methods above. How to seal concrete to prevent stainsNow that you have removed stains, you’ll want to make it easier to keep clean in the future. One way to do that is to seal your concrete. If you have an older home, you first need to remove any existing sealant. Not sure if your concrete already has sealant? Pour water on it. If the water beads, it has a sealer; if it soaks into the concrete, it hasn’t been sealed before. To remove existing sealant:
Once you have removed the old sealant (or let your newly poured concrete cure for 30 days), you’re ready to apply the new sealant. Follow these steps:
How to epoxy coat concreteA good way to keep your garage floor clean is to apply epoxy. (It can also hide stains you’re unable to remove.) Before you apply epoxy, you’ll need to prep it by following the steps above for preparing your concrete for sealant. The concrete needs to be clean and dry. You should also fill in any cracks, and if your concrete is sealed, you’ll need to remove the existing sealant. With the sealant gone, you’re ready to purchase an epoxy kit. These come in a variety of colors and give you the option to add color flakes, which can hide any imperfections in the concrete. You can also mix in an anti-skid additive that will give the floor a gritty surface that’s a good idea for rainy and icy regions. Once you have your epoxy kit, follow these steps:
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Author: Teresa BitlerTeresa Bitler has been covering moving, real estate, home improvement and home decor for more than 15 years. She enjoys writing articles about moving to specific cities, like Denver or Nashville, and what to expect when you get there. She also likes to write about home improvement and getting your home ready for a move. As a real estate investor, she wrote extensively for Personal Real Estate Investor. She has also written for Su Casa, US News & World Report and local publications about home improvement topics. Bitler currently lives in Phoenix, and although she’s moved too many times to count, she plans on staying put—at least for a while.View all posts by Teresa Bitler How do you remove stains from a concrete floor?Removing dirt and foliage stains on concrete. Sweep away all debris and dirt.. Mix liquid dishwashing detergent and water in a spray bottle or bucket for larger stains.. Apply the detergent and water mixture to the stain.. Let it sit for 15 minutes.. Scrub with a soft brush.. Rinse the area and repeat if necessary.. How do you remove stains from garage?Many people report success using things like kitty litter, WD‑40 and mixing a paste of sawdust and paint thinner. You might also try pouring mineral spirits on the stain. Let it sit for three minutes and scrub with a stiff‑bristled nylon brush. Next, lay newspaper over the area and allow it to dry.
How do you remove old oil stains from concrete garage floor?First, cover the oil stain in clay cat litter, letting it sit for several hours (or overnight if it's a heavy stain.) Then sweep up the cat litter and pour liquid dish soap over the stain to break up the grease. Let it soak up for at least an hour, then use a wire scrub brush and clean the stain in a circular motion.
How do you deep clean a concrete garage floor?Steps for Cleaning Concrete Garage Floors. Remove all items from the garage floor. The first thing you need to do is remove everything from the floor that is not anchored down. ... . Soak the concrete with a degreaser/cleaning solution. ... . Scrub or Pressure Wash the Concrete. ... . Rinse the Garage Floor.. |