How to Clean an Unsealed Concrete Floor in a Basement or Garage
Of all the ordinary household chores, mopping is the easiest to put off (repeatedly). It’s very troublesome just to have people walk on clean floors once they’re dry.
And if you have exposed concrete floors in your basement or garage, you probably have more important things to do than clean them on a regular (if ever) basis. But let’s say you find yourself in a situation where you really need to clean those hard, unfinished floors. Here’s what to do.
How to clean concrete floors without sealant
Because unsealed concrete is inherently porous , when a basement or garage floods or spills, floors made from the material tend to absorb liquid which, if allowed to soak, can lead to stains. But even if no fluid is involved, any grooves, cracks, or irregularities in the floor give dirt and dust a place to settle.
Flood cleanup is a topic for another discussion, so today we’ll focus on cleaning up unsealed concrete floors once they’re dry. Let’s go to:
Clear the trash
If you don’t have an industrial vacuum cleaner, use a broom and dustpan to sweep up any large debris that has accumulated on the floor that could damage a regular vacuum cleaner.
Sweep thoroughly
Now that the large pieces have been removed, go over the floor again with a vacuum cleaner or a regular vacuum cleaner, taking your time to suck up the remaining dust and dirt. Parse attachments if necessary.
Fighting stains
If you find any stains that you want to remove, now is the time to do so. Some of your options include using:
- Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide : Make a paste of both ingredients, apply a little to the stain, then scrub with a stiff-bristled brush . If that doesn’t work right away, apply more paste and this time leave for 30 minutes before brushing.
- Tide (or similar powdered) detergent : Mix the detergent with a little water to make a paste. Wipe the floor with a damp cloth first, apply the paste, then use a brush to clean. Rinse the area with clean water.
- White vinegar : Pour white vinegar over rust spots , let it soak for at least 30 minutes, then scrub with a stiff bristle brush and rinse the area with clean water.
- Liquid dish soap : Apply to stains either directly or mix with warm water , rub, then rinse.
Wash the floor
Take a mop and bucket and mix one of the following solutions:
- Baking soda (1/2 cup) mixed with a large bucket of warm water.
- Liquid dish soap (2 teaspoons) + white vinegar (1 cup) mixed with 1 gallon warm water.
- Tide [or other powdered laundry detergent ] (1/3 cup) mixed with a gallon of warm water.
Rinse the floor once with a cleaning solution and then a second time with clean, warm water. Use a towel to dry any areas where water has accumulated. Otherwise, let the floor air dry.