How To Clean Your Garage Floors To Keep Them Looking Like New
Your garage floor is constantly exposed to grease and oil from your cars, as well as any dirt, leaves, and soil that make their way into the area. That's why need to clean it on a regular basis. How often should you clean your garage floor? It's best to do a deep clean yearly. Getting rid of oil and grease spills ensures it's safe to walk on and keeps your garage looking nice. If you spend time in the garage doing projects, having a clean floor will make the area much more enjoyable.
So, how do you clean a concrete garage floor? What's the best way to remove stubborn stains? Before you begin, you'll want to choose a nice sunny day. Then, you should completely clear the floor, remove any dirt or debris, and pre-treat stains. Next, you can use a pressure washer and detergent solution to get your garage dazzling clean. Finally, you'll completely rinse the floor and allow it to dry. Here's an in-depth step-by-step guide to all of the steps.
Prep for cleaning
Find a day to clean when the temperature is mild and rain isn't in the forecast. Change into old clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty. You should have a pair of rubber gloves, a respirator, and safety goggles handy for when you use strong solvents. Start by clearing your garage floor of any items that aren't nailed down. Throw away trash and broken items. Pull out bikes, scooters, and lawn equipment. Temporarily remove large toolboxes and tools. If you find any items that you no longer use, set them aside for donation.
Now, use a large push broom to sweep the floor (you can also use a shop vac for this step). Remove cobwebs and dead bugs from the corners and brush up any loose dirt, debris, and leaves. The next step is to get rid of stains. For oil stains, soak up as much as possible with a paper towel. Then, apply a degreaser — an engine degreaser works well to tackle stubborn rust. Finally, use basic cat litter to absorb the rest of the oil.
To remove rust stains, combine 1 gallon of hot water with 1 ounce of trisodium phosphate (TSP). Pour the solution on the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrub the stain with a scrub brush or broom. Alternatively, you can also use CLR cleaner directly on the stain. Regardless of the cleaner you use, make sure to rinse the solution with water thoroughly after scrubbing.
Thoroughly wash and rinse the floor
The next step is to wash your garage floor. You can use a pressure washer or mop for this step. Though Dawn dish soap is great for removing grease from your dishes, it also works well for removing dirt and oil from your garage floor. Grab a bucket for your cleaning solution and mix together 1 or 2 teaspoons of Dawn detergent with 1 gallon of hot water.
Spead the cleaning solution evenly on the garage floor and allow it to sit for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're using a mop, scrub the floor in sections before mopping to remove any caked-on dirt or stains. If you're using a power washer, start at the back of your garage and spray the floors, pushing the soapy solution outside the garage. Once you've cleaned the garage floor with detergent and water, rinse the floor thoroughly with water. Then, use a mop to soak up excess water.
You don't want any mold growth, so allow your floor to completely dry before putting your tools or equipment back into your garage. Leave the garage door open to allow air to circulate and speed up the drying process. Before you move your items back into your garage, leave a few cinnamon sticks in the corner. This will repel insects so you don't have so many to sweep up next time.