How to clean concrete floor?

[myredracer]

The concrete floors in our attached garage (about 2,000 sq. ft total in 3 rooms) have taken quite a bit of abuse since the concrete was done about 10 years ago. The floors have gotten droplets and splotches of oil-based & latex paint, oil & grease, bits of drywall mud, some who-knows-what, etc. from me working on the house and garage over the decade.

The concrete has a hardener/sealer that was broadcast onto the surface just before it was power trowelled and is a "french grey" color, a sort of medium grey.

Is there a way I can make it look nice again, or least better than it is now? I guess I will need to get on hands and knees and scrape what I can off by hand. Is there some kind of miracle cleaner or maybe 2 or 3 different ones that need to used on it? Floors are heated if that makes a difference and all rooms are full of stuff, but can be moved around.

Have just finished drywalling, painting and trim in the attached garage and now the floors look like poo all of a sudden.

 

[sberry]

I let it wear off but you can grind it, re coat or epox coat.

 

[Harley-FXDWG]

Tide with bleach

 

[KenC]

Rent a floor buffer with a scrub pad. That along with detergent of your choice will get you a good start. Paint drops/spots, I use draino or any lye based product in a little hot water, lots cheaper and just as good as strippers, at least on latex products. . Let it set and rescrub. Rinse and vacuum the dirty water up with your shop vac. (wet/dry of course)

 

[myredracer]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd hit the drywall mud with a scraper to remove it followed by a good sweeping. After that I would mop it with some hot water and detergent/cleaner of your choice. I use Simple Green on mine.

I would start with the least harsh method and work up from there. No need totally destroy the floor finish if you don't have to.

 

[mikeceli]

Use REAL TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate) in stead of detergent.