Cleaning A Concrete FLoor

[Matt M PA]

Well guys, I've been growing increasingly unhappy with my garage floor. I used a Concrete Stain on it when it was new, and despite mopping twice a year the traffic areas have gotten dirty and weren't coming clean. We also have areas (as some may recall) where tape pulled stain from the floor. I assumed the stain had worn.

Last weekend, we swapped rear springs in a friend's Road Runner and during clean-up We talked about the floor. He asked me about cleaning it and I said to him what is written above.

We took a bottle of an orange cleaner with a brush and tried on of the traffic areas that was very dirty. I was surprised to see it come clean...really clean!

So, before going any further, I want to do a good cleaning off the floor. Does anyone have a suggestion for a good cleaner product that won't damage the stain? I figure we'll use a stiff brush and the pressure washer...

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Matt, try simple green in a corner. I don't know what type of "stain" you used but I do know that all conventional stains and dyes need to be sealed.


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[Armorpoxy]

We have had good results with people using Purple Power.

 

[Kevin54]

I always use Simple Green to clean my floors although they aren't stained with a floor stain. Simple Green leaves the garage smelling clean when done. And not to knock Purple Power as I have used it also, but I think SG does a better job.

One word of warning though, and since your garage has a stained floor, you may want to try it in an inconspicuous place if you use SG......we used to use it at work to clean our machines. SG Concentrate goes a long ways, so don't mix it too strong. It would actually soften the paint on the machines at work and start removing it over a period of time. Purple Power would not do that. Our shop finally got away from SG because of that fact.

 

[Matt M PA]

I have used Simple Green before with a mop....have yet to see it cause a problem.

The stuff I test with is Purple Power Citrus Cleaner...but it's in a small spray bottle.

The floor has Behr concrete stain on it now. I have used brake clean to wipe up oil and it doesn't seem to hurt it, so I'm thinking most cleaners wouldn't hurt either....but I'd be glad for some opinions. For the record, the instructions on the can of stain did not indicate that it needed to be top coated.

I know everyone likes pictures, here's a shot of the cleaned area.

 

[NICKS]

What color did you stain it? That looks like bare concrete.
A top coat will bring out the color of stain and it wont look so dull. At least it did when I built my concrete counter tops in my kitchen.

 

[Matt M PA]

It's a light gray...I guess the pictures don't show it well...

 

[DCarr2]

Get a rotating tip from home depot for your pressure washer...

a word of warning however, you can do A LOT of damage with it

 

[Supranaut]

Get a rotating tip from home depot for your pressure washer...

a word of warning however, you can do A LOT of damage with it

Just picked one up today to prep my floor for epoxy...although it depends on how clean it looks when I'm done powerwashing...

 

[Kevin99]

I've used APC+ on my floors, worked pretty good. I need to try some Mean Green or some type of dedicated dereaser though.

I'm hoping to get a adorable garage floor cleaner the garage floor cleaned up and then polish the concrete to a decent shine. I love the look and ease of care. I'd like to do an epoxy floor, but can't trust my basement is 100% waterproof.