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You may not realize it at times, but though you may think you’ve cleaned up your entire house, there’s always something that gets left out that, when cleaned up, makes a really big difference. Most people don’t realize it, but their homes are more often than not surrounded by concrete, and even more people just have no clue how to clean it up. Sure, you’ve tried hosing it down, soaping it up, but it just doesn’t seem to do the trick for those stubborn stains. That’s because concrete is porous and holds dirt pretty well.
But fear not! There is a simple solution to your problems. Concrete cleaners it seems, have made great leaps and bounds to cater to our every need. But with so many of them out there, it’s easy to get mixed up on which one to use. So let me break it down for you: there are actually five types of concrete cleaners out there, each with their own specific use.
The first kind is the pH-neutral cleaner, which, by the name alone means that it’s pretty mild and is commonly used for indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces that don’t have so much grime.
They can be used on either sealed or unsealed concrete and is readily available in specialty or hardware stores and janitorial supply outlets. Using it is fairly simple too, just mix it with a certain amount of water (depending on the amount of cleaning required), pour it on the surface and scrub it up a bit, mop it off after a few minutes and rinse the surface with clean water.
The second kind is the acidic cleaner, which, you guessed it, has acid as its main ingredient. It is used for tough stains and dirt that are soluble in acidic solutions.
They are primarily effective in removing efflorescence, an insoluble metallic salt that appears as a white powdery residue that can be caused by hard water, high soil alkalinity or high salt content in the concrete. Diluted muriatic acid is a commonly used acidic cleaner, although there are others that you can buy which are ready to apply and don’t need to be diluted. Some scrubbing may be needed for tougher stains, and sometimes repeated applications too. It is important to neutralize the surface after using this cleaner and rinsing it with clean water. A sealer can also be used to prevent future efflorescence to occur.
The third kind is the opposite of the previous one, and that is the alkaline cleaner. It is often called the “concrete degreaser” as it lifts away oil and grease. This is also used to neutralize the surface after cleaning with the acidic cleaner. These usually come in concentrates so diluting them depends on the gravity of the stain. If it’s been there a while, better apply the cleaner alone and you must allow it to sit a few hours to work its way through the stain. Scrubbing is also necessary for this type of cleaner. Afterwards, it is important to “lift” the oil and grease out using an industrial wet vac or rags. And just like the others, rinse it well with water.
The fourth and newest kind is the enzymatic or bacterial cleaner which uses active enzymes to break down and remove stains and contamination. This cleaner works best for starch, hydrocarbon and protein-based stains, like soil and urine. They are easiest to use as they don’t require water, don’t have any residue to wash away and require little to no scrubbing at all. The downside is that it may take days or weeks to work and is harder to find than most of the other cleaners.
The last kind are the specialty cleaners which remove specific types of stains and may be combinations of the other cleaners. These include rust removers and other efflorescence removers. They can be hard to find, and their effectiveness can depend on the environmental conditions.
Now that you know which cleaner is which, you can easily choose which one is for you and save yourself the hassle of buying the wrong one. But even if you’ve targeted your stain, always make sure to test your cleaner on a small, hidden surface first before pouring the whole thing. Power washing can also be of great help for those stubborn, outdoor stains, just make sure to put on the necessary protective gear. And next time you clean up, don’t forget the concrete, as cleaning up more often, even just lightly, can save you a whole lot of effort the next time around.
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