Vinegar is a natural and safe alternative to cleaning concrete with harsh chemicals. In the case of algae and mold, it does a better job than bleach, and it is better in the long term for killing these infestations. Oftentimes, vinegar can be found in your home or garage.
White vinegar and a little scrubbing with a brush is a very effective, eco-friendly way to remove rust stains from concrete—even those that are decades old. Pour the white vinegar directly onto the stain, allow the liquid to penetrate the area for 20 minutes, and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush.
Clean Concrete Floors With Bleach
As a gentler cleaner, bleach can't harm concrete's durable material. Aside from being an effective cleaner and stain remover, it also acts as a disinfectant to the concrete surface.
For lightly soiled concrete, you can remove dirt by using bleach mixed with water. Add 1/8th cup of liquid dishwashing detergent to the solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the surface, and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a nylon-bristled brush.
Leave the bleach solution on the concrete for about 20 minutes, then sweep briskly with the stiff broom to dislodge the softened grime. Use the scrub brush to tackle stubborn areas. Rinse off the patio.
After disinfection with bleach solutions, surfaces should be rinsed and dried. Bleach can be irritating to skin and mucous membranes, so any residue should be removed prior to returning animals to the environment.
Will Vinegar Damage Concrete? Cleaning concrete with vinegar will not damage it! However, saturating concrete for an extended period will damage the cement that binds concrete together. Over time, vinegar erodes the concrete itself, so be careful.
You can fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water, adding a few drops of liquid dish soap. Spray this solution directly onto the concrete, letting it rest for around half an hour. If you leave it on too long, the vinegar can eat through concrete parts.
Don't use ammonia, bleach or any highly acidic substance on polished or stamped floors. Some good cleaners include Castile soap, liquid dish detergent, stone cleaners and mild floor cleaners. Mix a solution, apply to floor with a wet mop and then rinse with a mop dipped in clean water.
Acid staining is a chemical reaction that permanently changes the color of the concrete surface. If you want to stain old concrete, using a true acid stain is always the best option.
Concrete Patios
Simply sweep off the patio and hose it down with a garden hose equipped with a nozzle that provides a strong stream of water. Use a natural or synthetic bristle scrub brush to tackle tough stains and a degreaser to remove oily spots near the grill.
Liquid detergent acts as an air-entraining admixture. During mixing, the detergent forms tiny air bubbles that are distributed throughout the mortar. These air bubbles lubricate the mortar, making it workable for long periods, even as the water evaporates.
Over time, your concrete floor or driveway may look unsightly with dirt and rust stains. Use CLR Calcium Limescale & Rust Remover for a routine clean to give your floor a quick and easy makeover. DO NOT USE ON ARTIFICIALLY COLOURE CONCRETE, RENDERED OR AGGREGATE SURFACES.
Use Epoxy to Get a Silky Smooth Surface with High Sheen
You can also apply an epoxy resin coating to the surface of the concrete.
Baking Soda
Salt and commercial ice-melt formulations can stain — or actually eat away — the concrete around your house. For an effective, but completely innocuous, way to melt the ice on your steps and walkways during those cold winter months, try sprinkling them with generous amounts of baking soda.
The best driveway cleaner for old, tired concrete is sodium hypochlorite at around 15% concentration. Often found in commercial and professional cleaning products, sodium hypochlorite is a type of bleach that will dissolve lichen, algae and similar growths on hard surfaces.
Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of warm water and 3/4 cup of liquid bleach.
Bleach can irritate the skin and eyes. Breathing in bleach over a long period of time can increase your risk of cancer. A dangerous gas can be formed when bleach is combined with certain chemicals (like ammonia). Bleach causes the buildup of chloroform in the air.
Most importantly: don't leave the bleach on for too long. Doing so could cause irreversible damage, which results in brittle strands. If you need more advice on how to bleach your hair at home, you can always speak to a hair professional.