The Concrete Network
Concrete Contractors, Photos and Ideas
Find a Contractor
Decorative Concrete Contractors in:
Browse Decorative Concrete Contractors

Cleaning Concrete

Find a Concrete Cleaning Professional

The first question when deciding how to clean concrete is, "what am I cleaning the concrete for?"

Cleaning concrete should be part of a regular home maintenance program designed for both the enjoyment and beauty of your home, and for maintaining the value of your home. Cleaning concrete is an important part of what is maintaining concrete?

Note the following whichever cleaning method you choose:

There is often more than one way to do the job. If you called 3 companies under "Concrete cleaning and restoration", don't be surprised if you get a couple different answers on how to clean the concrete.

Clean concrete, when possible, when the temperature and humidity allow rapid drying.

If using a chemical cleaner, make trial batches to see how the cleaner will work.

Cleaning concrete can leave the cleaned area lighter than the surrounding concrete because surface dirt has been removed. In most cases, cleaning the entire area of concrete will be required.

Light, general cleaning

For general cleaning of concrete. Not expected to penetrate the surface to remove ground in dirt, grime, soil, etc.

3 potential cleaning methods

Method 1

First, try water and scrub with a soft, non-metallic brush to see if this removes the surface dirt.

If this is not acceptable, step up to water with a mild soap, then water with a stronger soap, then water with a stronger soap plus ammonia.

Method 2

Low Pressure Water

A low pressure water(3000 p.s.i.) cleaning can be used where dirt has not been ground into the surface. Use a flat-fan nozzle so the water shoots out in a fan shape to help pry off surface dirt.

Method 3

Light Duty Chemical Cleaners

W.R. Meadows markets SEALTIGHT ULTRITE CLEANER. Click here for full product information including application instructions.

QC Construction Products markets QC FLOOR CLEANER. Click here for full product information including application instructions.

Home Depot and Lowe's, and Pro Contractor Supply Houses all supply light duty chemical cleaners marketed by various companies. Simply specify if it is for light duty, general cleaning, not stripping concrete.

Cleaning Concrete prior to installing a sealer

If a sealer has been previously applied to the concrete surface, the surface may only need a light, general cleaning and to have the sealer reapplied or touched up in high traffic areas.

However, if the concrete has ground in dirt, grime, tire marks, ,oil spills, grease, and other contaminants- these should be removed prior to installing a sealer. And the surface must be penetrated to do so.

Method 1

Degreasers

Degreasers penetrate concrete surfaces to soften, lift, and remove dirt buildup, tire marks, grease, oil, and other difficult to remove contaminants.

W.R. Meadows markets SEALTIGHT ULTRITE DEGREASER. Click here for full product information including application instructions.

QC Construction Products markets QC CONCRETE DEGREASER. Click here for full product information including application instructions.

Pro Contractor Supply Houses supply these and other brands of degreasers marketed by various companies. Specify your use if for cleaning and stripping a concrete surface prior to sealing.

Follow all safety precautions when using chemical cleaners. Consult product labels for specific safety instructions.

Method 2

Acid Etching

Cleaning the concrete with muriatic acid diluted with water- Clean Rite Services in Lake Forest California uses a 1 part muriatic acid to 4 parts water solution to penetrate and clean the concrete surface. In most cases this will be a job for a professional concrete restoration or cleaning specialist- extreme care must be taken for both workman and surrounding landscapes and other surfaces. Follow all safety precautions when using acid or any other chemical cleaners. Consult product labels for specific safety instructions.

Cleaning prior to recoloring colored concrete with a clear sealer of color cure

There are various colored concrete suppliers, some of them are:

Each of these suppliers markets or has recommendations for how to maintain their product. It is strongly suggested you follow their recommendations for the type of coloring system you have since the color manufacturer has been dealing with installations, servicing, and maintenance issues with their products for many years-they know what works. Your contractor will be able to tell you the specific brand of color you have if you don't know.

While the degreasers listed in A deep cleaning or stripping prior to installing a sealer may work fine for colored concrete, acid etching may slightly change the surface texture of the concrete and not be acceptable. Or either method may cause a problem with the bond of a certain products sealers.

Check with the colored concrete companies technical department to be safe.

Cleaning prior to applying a topping or decorative overlay.

Concrete toppings or overlays must be bonded to the existing concrete surface. This means theconcrete must be absolutely free from any sealers, cures (even "dissipating" cures), coatings, paints, oil, dirt, or any other contaminants which will break the bond.

The best way to remove any contamination in a concrete substrate is by a mechanical method. One of the most cost effective ways of removing a wide variety of contaminants from concrete is to use shotblasting. Using different sizes of steel "shot", a shotblast machine can remove a variety of sealers, coatings, curing compounds, and other contaminants quickly. The surface will be ready to receive the topping or overlay.

This should be done by a restoration or concrete cleaning specialist.

Whatever topping or overlay is used, the key to the product lasting is a good bond to the existing concrete. Proper preparation of the existing surface is the most important factor in achieving this bond.

Find a Concrete Cleaning Professional

Return to Decorative Concrete

Return to Maintaining Concrete

Return to Making Existing Concrete Better

Concrete Contractors: Find Concrete Cleaning Products and Supplies
Or: