When one thinks of the beauty of the home, one is inclined to think about the beauty of the floor. Concrete cleaners help protect and beautify concrete work. But choosing the right one from a plethora of cleaners is not always easy. Making the best selection of concrete cleaners rests on several factors: the application, desired aesthetics and maintenance requirements. Knowing the basics can help you make the right choice for each project.

You can’t scrub oil and grease stains away. Cleaning concrete and other sticky materials can be very challenging and in some cases, can’t be cleaned due to the type of stain, age of the stain and how far down the stains have gone.

Getting Rid of Oil and Grease Stains

The trick to draw oil and grease stains out of the concrete is to mix trisodium phosphate (or a TSP substitute) with water and an absorbent material to make a smooth paste. It will slowly be absorbed into the concrete and pull out the old oil and grease that were accumulated deep down in the concrete. Once the applied paste dries up, you can scrape it and sweep it away. Use a nylon brush for cleaning it is because a wire brush may cause rust stains leaving behind steel particles. And, if the oil is freshly spilled, the trick is to cover the stain with a dry powdered material such as hydrated lime or cornmeal. Wait approximately 24 hours, and then sweep it up. Scrub the remaining stain with scouring powder or a strong soap solution.

Getting Rid of Rust Stains

Rust is really tough to clean. To remove dusts from concrete use a mild muriatic acid solution. However, working with an acid solution demands certain safety precautions. Before applying maintain good ventilation, open doors and windows for proper air movement. Wear safety boots, safety goggles, and rubber gloves, safety glasses. It is good to cover nearby areas and wear a respirator with a cartridge rated for acid vapor. Also, it would be beneficial if you read the manufacturer’s dilution guidelines on the label thoroughly. Be prepared to move slowly and give the cleaners’ time to work and as indicated in the concrete cleaning instructions.

If this work seems too strenuous for you, then the best bet is to buy concrete cleaners that are easy and effective to apply. However, there is no better way other than cleaning concrete periodically that will extend its service life and enhance its beauty. It feels gratifying to see your house when coming home from a hard day at work. That is why cleaning concrete is an important part of every property cleanup that should never be overlooked again. You get the benefit of presenting your home to family and guest as a well kept dwelling along with the bonus of being greeted by a place you will be proud to call your own.