In contrast to sealed concrete, untreated concrete is porous and susceptible to stains such as mildew and mold as well as grease, rust, and even simple beverage spills. Poor cleaning of unsealed concrete can cause persistent stains in any area where it is present, whether it’s in your basement, countertop, or garage.
For cleaning and stain removal on unsealed concrete floors, use this step-by-step procedure:
Pour sawdust on grease and oil spots to absorb the grease and oil
In order to remove grease, oil, or other forms of stains that have penetrated into the porous surface of unsealed concrete, you need follow this procedure carefully.
- Remove any undesired debris from the floor by brushing it with a hand broom
Using a powerful push broom, remove all of the sawdust and debris from the floor after the 12-hour period has elapsed.”
- It is suggested that you clean your floors with such a dust brush or a vacuuming
Sweep the surface of the unsealed concrete to remove any remaining grit or tiny dirt particles. Depending on how thoroughly you want the cleaning done, you may also need to vacuum with a fine brush attachment.However, some stain spots may still be evident due to the presence of oil and grease dirt at this point.
- A solution of soapy water should be used to clean the spots
Afterwards, work on the stain patches by moistening them with water and then slathering on some detergent to the affected area. To allow the detergent to absorb into the spots, leave it in place for about an hour.
- Use a brush to scrub the discolored areas
Using a scrubbing brush will assist the detergent penetrate the porous surface of the concrete floor and break down any stains that may have formed.
- Use baking soda solution to mop the floor
Fill a one-gallon hot water mop bucket halfway with baking soda and stir to combine the ingredients. With just a mop that has been thoroughly wrung out from the solution, used the solution to eliminate the washing residue from the unprotected concrete floor that was left over from the previous step.
- Wipe the floor dry after it has been rinsed
Finally, wipe the floor surface dry with a clean piece of clothes or a towel.
Staining with Oil and Grease
Clean the concrete floor with a broom to remove any debris. A vacuum will be required to remove any grit that remains on the floor following the sweeping process. In order to eliminate small dirt particles, it is preferable to use a brush attachment on your vacuum. To remove the stain, use powdered dishwasher detergent to cover it up.
Wet the stain first if it’s dry, and then apply a layer of detergent over the stain. Allow 45 minutes for it to seep into the stain.After soaking, run warm water over the detergent to remove any remaining detergent. It is necessary to scrub the stained concrete with a strong brush until the stain has been entirely removed.
Baking soda is used to clean
If you have a concrete floor or an outdoor concrete floor, you are probably aware that baking soda can remove any odors from them. If you have a filthy floor, mix half a cup of baking soda with ten liters of warm water and use it to scrub it. This soda, combined with one-eighth cup of dishwashing liquid, will effectively remove most stains and filth from a variety of surfaces.
Concrete floors that have not been sealed should be cleaned in the following ways:
- In order to begin cleaning, the first step is to remove as much dust and dirt as possible from the area. Clear away the larger particles with a stiff shop broom, making sure to keep everything dry in the process. As well as helping to collect finer dust, a vacuum can also be used to remove debris from cracks and crevices, as well as to clear away any cobwebs that have accumulated. To complete the process, water and elbow grease must be added
While there are a variety of cleaning agents that can be used on unsealed concrete, you should be cautious about what you use indoors, especially in a space that isn’t well-ventilated, such as a basement or crawl space.
Outdoor concrete floors that have never been sealed should be cleaned
Basement, garage, and patio floors are examples of outdoor unsealed concrete flooring. You can use some of these popular methods to keep your unsealed concrete floors looking good on a regular basis.
Use water and detergent to thoroughly clean the affected area
- Vinegar should be sprayed on the affected area (dilute it with equal part of water). Remember to use an appropriate amount of vinegar as well!
- The solution should be forced into the concrete pores using a high-pressure water spray. Keep in mind that chemicals should be used in this process (minimum bleach).
- After a few minutes, remove the residue with a damp cloth.
- In order to completely remove all vinegar residue from your concrete floor, rinse it thoroughly with water.
Unsealed concrete floors in an indoor environment
While cleaning your unsealed concrete floors indoors, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The surface of your floor has a gritty texture and you can write on it with a piece of chalk, which indicates that it has not been sealed.
- Because vinegar has a pH range of 3.0-4.5, it must be diluted with water before being used on unsealed concrete floors.
- Cleaning your windows can be accomplished with the help of a professional cleaner or by mixing equal amounts water and vinegar together.
- To remove all of the solution from the floor following cleaning, use a wet/dry vacuum followed by water.
- Carnauba wax can be used to make unsealed concrete floors shinier and more attractive by coating them with the wax.