How To Clean Concrete Floors (Sealed, Unsealed, Painted & More)

Concrete looks tough, right? It feels like rock because, well, it basically is. But here is the kicker: concrete is surprisingly porous. Dirt, grease, and grime love to burrow deep into those tiny pores, making a simple sweep feel like a losing battle.

Whether you are dealing with a pristine polished living room floor or a rugged garage slab, knowing the right cleaning method is the difference between a quick mop and a permanent stain. We will break down exactly how to clean sealed, unsealed, painted, and polished concrete so your floors stay looking sharp.

Key Takeaways

• Identify the surface: Determine if your floor is unsealed, sealed, painted, stained, or polished before applying any chemicals.
• Choose the right cleaner: Use a washing soda solution for unsealed floors; stick to pH-neutral detergents or dish soap for sealed and polished surfaces.
• Avoid acids on raw concrete: Never use vinegar on unsealed concrete, as the acid can cause etching and permanent damage.
• Maintain the shield: Reseal or repolish your floors every 5 to 10 years to protect against deep staining and moisture absorption.

In This Article

• Identify Your Concrete Floor Type
• The Water Drop Test
• Choosing the Right Cleaner
• How to Clean Unsealed Concrete (Indoors)
• How to Clean Unsealed Concrete (Outdoors)
• Cleaning Sealed and Polished Concrete
• Cleaning Painted Concrete
• FAQs
• Clean Home

Identify Your Concrete Floor Type

Before you grab a bucket, you need to know exactly what you are working with. Different finishes react differently to water and chemicals.

Unsealed

This is concrete in its rawest form. It is simply poured and set without any chemical additives or topcoats. Because it is highly absorbent, unsealed concrete is a magnet for oil stains, tire marks, and dust buildup. You usually find this in older garages, basements, or patios.

Sealed

The most common type for indoor living spaces. A sealer acts as a sacrificial layer that sits on top of the concrete, protecting it from moisture, grease, and scratches. If your floor has a slight sheen and resists water, it is likely sealed with acrylic, urethane, epoxy, or silicate (1).

Painted

Paint offers a way to mask the gray slab with bold colors or patterns. While it looks great, paint sits on top of the surface and can chip or peel if you scrub it too aggressively. Unless clear-coated, painted floors can dull quickly with harsh cleaners.

Stained or Metallic

Unlike paint, stains penetrate the concrete to create deep, translucent, mottled effects that look like natural stone or marble. These floors are beautiful but vulnerable. If left unsealed, foot traffic will eventually wear the color down.

Stamped

Stamped concrete is textured to mimic brick, slate, or wood. While it adds great curb appeal, those grooves and “grout lines” are excellent at trapping dirt. You often need a bit more water pressure or a stiff brush to get the grime out of the texture.

Polished

Polished concrete is mechanically ground down to a super-smooth, glass-like finish. It is incredibly hard and durable. While it doesn’t always have a topical sealer, the polishing process closes up the pores, making it naturally resistant to dust and spills. Owners often use a wax solution to maintain that mirror shine.

The Water Drop Test

Not sure if your floor is sealed? There is an easy way to find out without calling a professional.

Pour about a tablespoon of water onto the floor.

• If the water beads up: The floor is sealed. The barrier is working.
• If the water soaks in and darkens the spot: The floor is unsealed. Proceed with caution regarding liquids.

Choosing the Right Cleaner

Concrete isn’t picky, but the finish is. Here is a quick breakdown of cleaning agents:

• pH Neutral: The safest bet. Mild detergents or dish soaps are perfect for sealed, polished, or painted floors.
• Alkaline (Degreasers): Best for oil and grease on garage floors. It also neutralizes acid burns.
• Enzymatic: Uses bacteria to eat organic stains like pet urine or food.
• Acidic: Use with extreme caution. Generally used for removing efflorescence (white salt deposits) or stubborn rust on exterior unsealed concrete.

Tools You Will Need

• Broom or vacuum (hard floor setting)
• Microfiber mop or dust mop
• Two buckets (one for wash, one for rinse)
• Standard mop
• pH-neutral cleaning solution or dish soap
• Stiff nylon brush (for unsealed floors)
• Pressure washer (optional for outdoors)
• Kitty litter or cornstarch (for oil spills)

Prep Work

Before getting the floor wet, clear the room. Remove rugs, furniture, and boxes. Vacuum thoroughly to remove grit that could scratch the sealer during mopping.

How to Clean Unsealed Concrete (Indoors)

Unsealed concrete holds onto dirt, so you need a solution that can lift grime out of the pores without damaging the slab. Speed is key here; don’t let water sit too long.

1. Mix the solution: Dissolve three tablespoons of washing soda (sodium carbonate) in one gallon of warm water. It is tougher than dish soap but safe for concrete.
2. Mop effectively: Dip your mop, wring it out so it is damp (not dripping), and work in small sections. Unsealed concrete drinks water, so you want to avoid flooding it.
3. Scrub if needed: For high-traffic areas, use a stiff nylon brush to agitate the solution into the pores.
4. Rinse thoroughly: Refill your bucket with fresh, plain water. Mop over the area again to remove any soap residue. This is crucial, leftover soap attracts more dirt.
5. Dry immediately: Turn on ceiling fans or open windows. The faster it dries, the less likely you are to get water spots.

Stain Removal Tips

• Grease/Oil: Cover the spot with kitty litter or cornstarch. Let it sit for 24 hours to draw the oil out, then sweep it up.
• Stubborn grime: Wet the area, apply a mild detergent, and let it soak for 15 minutes. Scrub with a brush and rinse with boiling water.
• Don’t: Never use vinegar. It is acidic and can eat into the cement paste, creating a rough, etched surface.

How to Clean Unsealed Concrete (Outdoors)

This usually applies to driveways, patios, and unsealed garage floors. These areas face tire marks, oil leaks, and weather, so they need a heavier hand.

For a deep clean, rent a pressure washer rated around 3000 PSI.

1. Pre-treat stains: Spot-clean oil or rust stains first using a degreaser or poultice. If you scrub the whole floor without treating spots, you might spread the stain.
2. Apply cleaner: Mix Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) or a specialized concrete degreaser with water. Pour it over the wet concrete and scrub vigorously with a stiff deck brush. Let it sit for 10 minutes, but do not let it dry.
3. Pressure wash: Start at the highest point or the back of the garage. Use a sweeping motion to push the dirty water out toward the lawn or drain.
4. Rinse: Switch to a garden hose or a low-pressure setting to do a final rinse of the entire surface.

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Outdoor Cleaning Tips

• Rust: Pour lemon juice on the spot, let it sit for 10 minutes, scrub, and rinse.
• Tire marks: Apply a degreaser, let it dwell for 4 hours, and scrub with a stiff brush.
• Protect surroundings: Cover nearby plants or drywall with plastic sheeting to protect them from chemical runoff.
• Safety first: Avoid wire brushes; the metal bristles can break off, get stuck in the concrete, and eventually rust.

Hazard

Never mix ammonia and bleach. These are common ingredients in heavy-duty cleaners, but mixing them creates toxic chloramine gas.

Cleaning Sealed and Polished Concrete

These floors are much easier to maintain because the pores are closed. The goal here is to clean the surface without dulling the shine or stripping the sealer.

1. Dust mop first: Run a microfiber dust mop over the floor to pick up grit. Mopping over dust just creates mud.
2. Mix a gentle solution: Fill a bucket with warm water and a small amount of pH-neutral cleaner or mild dish soap. Castile soap is a great eco-friendly option. Avoid harsh chemicals.
3. Mop gently: Using a damp mop, clean in small sections. Rinse the mop frequently in a separate bucket of clean water to avoid spreading dirt around.
4. Rinse: Go over the floor one last time with fresh water to remove any soapy film.
5. Buff dry: If you want that showroom shine, buff the floor dry with a clean microfiber towel immediately after rinsing.

Maintenance Tips

• Sticky residue: Make a paste of baking soda and coconut oil. Apply to the sticky spot, wait 5 minutes, and wipe clean.
• Re-sealing: Even the best sealer wears down. Plan to reseal or repolish every few years to keep the protection active (2).
• Don’t: Use ammonia, bleach, or citrus-based cleaners on polished floors. They can break down the sealer and dull the finish over time.

Cleaning Painted Concrete

Treat painted concrete like a delicate tile. If you scrub too hard or use the wrong chemical, you risk lifting the paint right off the slab.

1. Vacuum: Use a soft-bristle attachment to vacuum up dust and pet hair.
2. Mild solution only: Mix a gallon of warm water with a teaspoon of mild dish soap. Do not use hot water, as it can soften some latex paints.
3. Wring it out: Your microfiber mop should be barely damp. Excess water can seep into hairline cracks and cause the paint to bubble.
4. Mop and dry: Clean the floor gently and dry it immediately with a towel. Do not air dry, as standing water is the enemy of paint.

FAQs

What Do You Put on Concrete Floors to Make Them Shiny?

The best product to add shine is a high-quality concrete sealer or floor wax. An Acrylic Solvent-Based Sealer provides a “wet look” and glossy finish while protecting the surface from UV rays and water.

Can You Steam Clean Concrete Floors?

Yes, you can steam clean sealed concrete floors. The steam lifts dirt without the need for harsh chemicals. However, avoid using steam mops on painted or wax-polished concrete, as the intense heat can cause the paint to peel or the wax to melt.

Can I Use Pine-Sol on Concrete Floors?

Yes, Pine-Sol is safe for most sealed concrete floors when diluted properly. It is excellent for deodorizing and cutting through light grease. Always rinse well to prevent sticky residue.

Can I Use a Carpet Cleaner on Concrete Floors?

You can use a carpet cleaner machine on sealed concrete if it has a hard-floor setting or attachment. However, do not use carpet cleaning detergents, as they are often too foamy and difficult to rinse off hard surfaces. Stick to specific hard-floor cleaning solutions.

How Do I Remove Old Oil Stains From Concrete?

For old, set-in oil stains, apply a poultice made of baking soda and water (or a commercial concrete degreaser). Scrub the paste into the stain with a stiff nylon brush, let it sit for at least 30 minutes to break down the oil, and then rinse thoroughly.

A Clean Home Set in Stone

Concrete is durable, affordable, and looks fantastic when treated right. While it might seem tough, it still needs a little tender loving care to stay stain-free.

Whether you are maintaining a high-gloss living room floor or scrubbing down the driveway, the right cleaning solution makes all the difference. Stay on top of the grit, wipe up spills fast, and your concrete will look brand new for decades.

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