How to Clean Concrete Floors

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Concrete is a durable material that is also very
porous. Keeping it clean will help maintain its
beauty and extend its life. The methods used to
clean concrete floors depend on the location and
the type of concrete you are cleaning. Decorative
interior concrete is becoming increasing popular
as a flooring material because of its durability
and resistance to stains. Standard concrete is
the type of flooring material typically found in
garages, basements, and warehouses. Stains that
result from oil, grease, and chemical spills pose
a greater cleaning challenge.
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Applying the appropriate sealant to concrete will
make it resistant to many types of
stains. Sealants generally need to be re-applied
every three or four years. When spills are left
on the floor, they can permeate the seal over
time. Wiping up spills immediately will prevent
stains from occurring. For large surface areas
that are exposed to spills regularly,
industrial floor scrubbers can be used to remove
spills before they reach the area below the
concrete surface and become set in.
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Sweeping dirt from the floor is the first line of
defense for protecting it from scratches to the
finish. Particles of dust and dirt are rubbed
into the floor over time, leading to scratches
and the opportunity for spills to get below the
surface. The more traffic there is on the floor,
the more often it will need to be swept. Large
floors, such as those in warehouses, often
require daily sweeping that can be efficiently
performed with a professional quality floor
sweeper. To clean decorative concrete in homes, a
microfiber mop will pick up dust and dirt without
damaging the floors finish or causing dust to
become airborne.
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Garage floors and warehouses where there is
exposure to grease and oil from automobiles and
other equipment are the most difficult to
clean. Kitty litter is a valuable tool to keep
handy for absorbing oil and grease that has
spilled onto the concrete. Power cleaners that
use hot water are the best tools for removing
grease and oil that has soaked into the surface.
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Water is often the best cleaner for concrete,
especially when there is minimal exposure to oil,
grease, and chemicals. Since concrete is porous,
puddles on the floor can result in moisture being
pulled through so that the concrete molds and
cracks. This is especially problematic when the
surface is exposed to extreme temperature
changes. Professional floor scrubbers that pick
up the water used to clean the concrete will
prevent damage from moisture from occurring.
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In most situations, water is the only cleaner you
will need for concrete. The pressure or scrubbing
action that is applied is what makes the
difference in whether the dirt is removed or
not. Avoid using homemade cleaners with vinegar
or ammonia that can whiten the floor or damage
the finish. Use only green cleaners designed for
use in pressure washers or scrubbers that are
made for use on concrete floors.
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Stains may not become apparent until after the
floor has been cleaned. To remove oil stains,
apply bleach directly to the area and let sit for
twenty minutes. Use a scrub brush to loosen the
stain. Once clear, rinse and dry. To remove
grease stains, apply a layer of kitty litter to
the affected area and let sit for several days.
If the stain remains after sweeping the kitty
litter away, sprinkle dry concrete mix over the
area and let it sit for a few days before
sweeping. Tire marks in the garage or warehouse
can be removed with a degreasing product. Apply
and let sit for a few hours before scrubbing and
rinsing the area.
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For concrete surfaces that are not sealed,
stronger cleaning methods are often
required. Regular sweeping and cleaning with an
auto scrubber to prevent penetration of the
concrete is required to preserve the concrete
material. Do not apply muriatic acid to floors to
remove stubborn stains that seep into unsealed
concrete except as a last resort. Preventing
water from standing on an unsealed concrete floor
is even more important than with those that have
a barrier of protection on the surface. Use
professional cleaning equipment that will remove
water from the floors surface and prevent
absorption.
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At Performance Systems Janitorial Supply, we suppl
y high quality,
refurbished janitorial machines
manufacturers. Our variety of floor scrubbers
and sweepers
that are reliable and made by top Clarke,
Tomcat, Tenant, and Clarke make it easy
for businesses on a
budget to get the quality equipment they need to
keep their business looking its best. We also
sell new floor machines and parts, in
addition to providing repairs and rentals to
make maintaining your floors as easy and cost-
efficient as possible. Visit
www.psjanitorial.com for more information or
call us at 1-800-747-5096 to ask about any
of our products or services.
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Sources

1. http//home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/hou
   sehold- hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/floor-clean
   ing-tips4.htm
2. http//www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-concre
   te-floors/
3. http//floorbuffers.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/clean
   ing-concrete- floors/

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Summary

• Concrete is a versatile, durable flooring
  material that is easy to maintain. The primary
  cleaning need is to keep dust and grime off the
  floor surface by sweeping regularly. Water is
  often the only cleaner needed when the
  appropriate pressure is applied, such as that
  from a professional floor scrubber.