TSP for cleaning concrete

[57plymouth]

I'm doing a lot of cleaning and updating in my garage. One thing I want to do is try to clean up the floor. I am NOT painting the floor or sealing the floor. This is a working shop and I don't want to make the floor slick. I just want to clean it up and maybe lighten up some of the (many many many) oil stains.

Has anyone used TSP to clean bare concrete floors? I was planning to mix it up in a bucket, and mop it out. Then mop it up with a clean mop and go over it again with clean water. Anything I should be aware of?

 

[RPH]

Tsp, or it remade cousin is a good cleaner. I would try it. How a bout a pressure washer? Don’t get to close to the old concrete with the tip but it will help pull it out.

 

[57plymouth]

I could pressure wash, but I have piles of stuff that was on the shelves in boxes on and around the lift right now. I was going with the mop idea because I can work it in sections.

 

[Shea]

TSP works great. Use a deck brush to scrub the dirty spots and be sure to rinse the concrete well.

 

[SGKent]

the neat things about mopping the floor with a wetting agent like TSP, is that water is heavier than oil, and once the oil is loosened some of it will migrate to the surface to be replaced by water. The water will then dry, and the stain will be less. With all the ignition sources off (water heater, motors etc., and the doors open, I like to use a little Stoddard Solvent (mineral spirits) on an oil stain, let it sit a few minutes, blot it up, and then use the wetting agent.

 

[Armorpoxy]

TSP will work well in this application and does a good job of cleaning.

 

[Bryan Burns]

Seconding TSP with a deck brush. Make sure to get the real TSP, not the stuff that says TSP but isn't!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Tsp, or it remade cousin is a good cleaner.

Get the REAL THING ! The "cousins" are second best ! It is not sold in some states.

If you have old oil stains, I use Greased Lightning, full strength. Pour it on, lightly scrub in, let sit over night, rinse with a garden hose.

If they are old stains it might take a second application, but wait until the concrete is fully dry before you do it again.