One thing we boast about concrete is how easy it is to care for and maintain. That might be why it is one of our favourite materials! And not just ours, but did you know concrete is still one of the most consumed materials in the world? In fact, twice as much concrete is used in construction as all other building materials combined.
What are the benefits of concrete?
- Stain and water-resistant
- Abrasion-resistant when sealed correctly
- Pet friendly
- Easy to clean by sweeping and mopping
- Easy to style and soften with rugs
- Minimal maintenance
- It only requires resealing every few years
Due to it’s low-maintenance, it makes sense concrete is so utilised. But just because it is so straightforward to care for doesn’t mean there is nothing you have to do to keep your concrete as good looking as possible.
We are going to break down the top tips for how to clean concrete we recommend to our clients, whether their concrete is indoor or outdoor. By following these simple and effective maintenance tips, your concrete can last you a lifetime.
Cleaning Concrete Outdoors
- Periodic scrubbing is the best way to ensure your concrete stays in perfect condition. A power washer is the easiest way to remove built-up grime and dirt from concrete.
- Commercial cleaners like bleach or ammonia (not combined) to remove persistent stains.
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP) can be mixed with water and scrubbed into the stained area with a nylon bristle brush.
- Muriatic acid is best reserved for the toughest outdoor stains, like rust or dried grout. Use with extreme caution and protective wear.
Tough stains can require tough chemicals to clean your concrete properly. Please carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions whenever using these products for your health and safety.
Cleaning sealed concrete indoors is going to require a different approach to outdoor concrete. Sealed and polished concrete will require gentler cleaning work not to ruin the finish of your flooring
Cleaning Concrete Indoors
- Mop and bucket is your best friend when it comes to cleaning concrete indoors.
- Combine water with a mild cleaner, not bleach or ammonia-like substances you may use outdoors.
- We recommend something like Castile soap, dish detergent, generic floor cleaner or stone cleaners.
- Apply and scrub with a mop and rinse with the mop wet with clean water.
How to maintain your concrete
Depending on how much foot traffic your concrete receives will depend on how regularly it should be cleaned and maintained. To reduce the wear and tear on your concrete flooring, introduce rugs and mats into the area of increased use. Having a front door mat will also reduce the amount of dirt and grime coming inside and working its way into your concrete flooring.
When your concrete is being laid, ask the contractor how often it should be resealed and what maintenance schedule they recommend to keep their work in tip-top shape.
By following these simple steps and tips, you can ensure your concrete will keep looking its best.
If you’re unsure whether concrete flooring is right for you, check out another one of our blog posts on the pro’s and con’s to concrete flooring.