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It’s not often that the garage floor gets attention because, after all, ‘it’s just the garage floor’. On average, homeowners spend very little time in their garage which is generally limited to merely parking the car inside and walking out immediately after. Of course, there are some who enjoy their time spent here whether they are fixing up a car, or working on a do-it-yourself project. These are the people who often take the time to keep their garage clean and organised. Nevertheless, regardless of which category of people you belong to, if your garage floor needs cleaning, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later.
As grease, oil, and other substances build up on concrete garage floors, cleaning becomes more of a challenge. Tackling fresh stains as soon as possible is highly advised for achieving best results, however, even if you are dealing with tough grease stains on garage flooring, Maid For You can help you learn the right way to get them out.
Everything you need to know about cleaning your garage floor can be found below so keep reading!
What to Avoid When Cleaning Concrete Garage Flooring
Many garage floors are made of unsealed concrete which is prone to staining due to its porous nature. Grease and oil penetrate the cemented floor which then requires a slightly more challenging cleaning process in order to lift and remove the stains.
In a bid to achieve the best results, many homeowners are misguided by products that claim to be effective and act fast, however, they fail to mention the damaging effects of using such harsh cleaners. For example, while acid-based cleaning products do a good job at removing stains and brightening up a garage floor, this comes at the cost of dissolving the binder that is present in cement.
You may also find a lot of ‘experts’ recommending trisodium phosphate (TSP) for cleaning concrete garage flooring as it is safe to use on unsealed cement. The major drawback(s), however, is that TSP is not at all eco-friendly. Furthermore, misuse of the product can cause burns and/or skin and eye irritation.
So, when cleaning concrete garage flooring, steer clear of these products and follow the eco-safe cleaning guide below instead!
Steps to Clean Garage Floor Concrete
The cleaning method we are sharing with you today is suitable for both deep cleaning needs and preparing a cement garage floor to be finished (sealed, painted, etc). It is important to pay heed to the information and tips discussed in each step to ensure a desirable end result. So then, let’s get started!
Clear the Garage Floor & Sweep
Anything that can be picked up and taken outside should be cleared out of your garage so that you can clean more of the floor if not the entire garage floor from end to end. This will also give you more space to move around freely, especially when using cleaning equipment.
After you clear the space, sweep the floor thoroughly to remove large debris, dirt, dried leaves, etc. Get the floor as clean as you can so that the steps ahead become less messy/challenging.
Apply a Degreaser
The type of cleaning product recommended for cleaning concrete garage flooring will depend on the level of dirt/grease/stains you are dealing with. For heavily soiled flooring or pre-washing before sealing the floor, a reliable degreaser should be your number one choice. You can find specially formulated degreasers for unfinished cement floors which do an excellent job at breaking down tough mechanical grease, oil, and the likes. Best of all, you can purchase degreasers that are environmentally friendly as they use alcohol and eco-safe solvents to tackle stubborn substances.
To apply the product to the floor, follow the directions on the label which should also include dilution rates. An added tip would be to clean your garage floor one section at a time. This is because the cleaning solution will likely dry up before you are able to scrub the entire floor. Most degreasers require a short amount of sitting time before the floor can be scrubbed so be sure to pay close attention to the instructions.
Scrub the Floor
After a section of the floor has been covered in the degreaser and the sitting time is met, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the concrete. Short or medium-length bristles are best for working the product into the ground to lift and remove stains; they are also more resilient to vigorous scrubbing.
As an alternative to manual scrubbing which requires a lot of effort and elbow grease, you can pressure wash your garage concrete flooring by filling up the machine’s tank with your cleaning solution. If you don’t have this handy piece of equipment, there are home improvement facilities that generally rent out pressure washers for a nominal rate. If you are using a pressure washer for the first time, it is important to watch tutorials or do some research on how to use the machine safely to avoid damaging your property.
Rinse Off Immediately
Another reason why it is advisable to clean your concrete garage floor one section at a time is because you do not want the degreaser/cleaning solution to dry up on the surface after scrubbing/pressure washing it. This is because the dirt and grease that has been lifted or blasted out from the pores of the cement when scrubbing or pressure washing the floor needs to be rinsed away before it dries and settles on the concrete again.
To give your garage floor a thorough rinse, a high-pressure water hose or pressure-washing machine is required. When the pressure is high, it allows the water to be moved across the garage floor quickly while also removing debris that may have settled back into the cement. When rinsing off the cleaning solution, start from one far end of the garage to the other, and progress forward so that you are pushing the water outside. Allow the concrete to dry completely before observing the surface for any stains. Spot treat stain remnants using the degreaser and cleaning brush; wipe over the area with a wet cloth to finish off.
With this fairly simple method to deep clean your concrete garage floor, you should have no problem with getting out grease, oil, and mud stains. Additionally, for its upkeep, we advise sweeping your garage floor weekly or bi-weekly; spot treating oil/grease stains immediately; and deep cleaning the concrete at least once in six months. Of course, an easier and more convenient option would be to hire a garage floor cleaning service from a trusted cleaning company like Maid For You!
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Leaves, dirt and loose debris | Clear the garage and sweep thoroughly before any wet cleaning |
| Heavy grease and oil stains | Apply a concrete degreaser, wait, then scrub with a stiff brush |
| Cleaner drying before you finish | Work one section at a time |
| Lifted grime settling back in | Rinse each section straight away with a high-pressure hose |
| Stain remnants once dry | Spot treat with degreaser and brush, then wipe with a wet cloth |
When to call a professional
Deep oil stains in unsealed concrete, or a whole garage and driveway that need cleaning, are easier with professional pressure-washing equipment. Hiring a pressure washer yourself is possible, but it takes care to avoid damaging the surface. For routine sweeping and spot cleaning, the steps above are usually enough.
