Concrete driveways are tough, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. They're also porous which allows water to seep into the dirt below.
This can create several problems, including muddy areas around the concrete, fresh spills and grass growth in impenetrable dirt patches. However, regular maintenance of your concrete driveway with some simple cleaning products with household cleaners can keep it looking great to enhance curb appeal while preventing many of these issues. A power washer with other household cleaners is a great concrete cleaner for a thorough concrete cleaning to remove driveway stains and grease and oil stains.
Wait until the concrete is dry to remove stains for a great concrete cleaning. The driveway takes only a couple of hours before becoming spotless. Flushing water over concrete while it's damp can damage the surface by eroding cement paste, etching delicate aggregates, or pushing sand into cracks. If you have to use water on wet concrete to remove stains for concrete cleaning, sweep it off with the right tools when you're finished so solids don't settle in low spots and cause stains later on. Sweep up loose organic debris with a broom before washing. Leaves, sand, and dirt need to be removed from the driveway before washing. Sweep them up or use a leaf blower to move them into a pile. Add 1 cup of liquid dish soap per gallon of lukewarm water for concrete cleaning on the driveway. Use liquid dish soap for cleaning concrete because it creates suds that trap and carry away dirt and is good for removing lawn fertiliser stains but keep in mind that a strong detergent will darken porous concrete if left on too long. Use lukewarm water and a misting nozzle on a garden hose to apply the soapy solution from a spray bottle for cleaning concrete, then vigorously brush with a broom on the driveway. Rinse off soap residue immediately after washing and cleaning concrete with clean water. Before using soap on a concrete driveway that is currently being stained, it is important to use dish soap instead of products containing bleach because bleach can produce undesirable results. If you don't see any change after cleaning, try scrubbing with a brush and baking soda on the driveway. This will work on stubborn stains caused by oil and other chemicals. Always remember to use non corrosive material to scrub and then rinse the stain well. A stain that will require bleach for cleaning should be done with a soft scrub and a good rinse. Soak the concrete with water before doing the job.
Bleach solution is easy to obtain, cheap but it can etch the surface if left on too long and can also discolour porous cement surfaces but is great for little elbow grease. So let it sit for a few minutes only and you can mix bleach with one part water for diluting it a little. But it can also damage the nearby plant life so spray carefully.
Safe for use on most surfaces, it is more corrosive than other chemicals for cleaning, so you need to take care when using it and let it sit as it says on the directions. The high pH content of caustic soda will open up concrete pores and soften lime deposits that might cause staining in the future. It will also kill grass growing around concrete driveways. Use gloves and eye protection while working with this chemical to avoid skin irritation or loss of sight because this chemical will burn eyes and skin on contact.
Available at most hardware stores, muriatic acid is very acidic which means that if not handled correctly it can damage the surrounding vegetation when you're making the driveway clean and etch the surface of the concrete. It is also extremely dangerous to handle and can burn the eyes, skin, and respiratory system on contact. Use the spray nozzle to spray as needed.
Available at most hardware stores, sodium hypochlorite is a powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria that cause stains from oil, grease and mould. This chemical has been known to fade the colour of concrete surfaces so take care when using it. It will also only work if applied directly over the stain or area that needs cleaning so you will have to figure out where this stain or area is before using the solution.
TSP may be used as a cleaner for concrete driveways because it cuts through oils, grease, dirt and grime easily. It's a degreaser that is also a very effective cleaner for exterior surfaces. It's a nonflammable powder that can be found in most hardware stores and paint shops. In general, when working with any chemical you need to follow the manufacturer's advice on storage, application, and disposal.
Use a steam cleaner to pressure wash your driveway and clean mould and wait a few hours before the next step to dry the concrete.
Clean off greasy spills with paper towels and dish soap. Wipe up any excess oil or grease with a paper towel before cleaning it. You can use natural cleaner, or baking soda too. A pressure cleaner can be used in the end with other materials.
Remove tire marks by scrubbing the area with a brush and soapy water from a liquid dish detergent and pressure cleaner to perfectly clean the place.
Use some tarps on your driveway to protect it from wet paint, oil drips, rust stains and other spills on the concrete surface that might cause stains if left unattended. While this won't fix the problem entirely, keeping these spots clean and dry will make sure that your concrete surface stays looking nice for longer.
Yes, you can use a pressure cleaner on a concrete driveway to clean it. If the surface is very dirty or has oil stains, use a combination of high-pressure water and a cleaning solution. Apply the cleaner with a garden hose attachment first for best results. Pressure washing using a pressure cleaner should always be done in small areas before doing the entire driveway at once so that you don't accidentally remove too much of the top layer of cement while cleaning. Always test your solution on an inconspicuous area before using it on your driveway, then adjust as necessary if needed. Pressure washing is a handy way to clean concrete driveways, especially if you have one with a lot of stains or other stubborn dirt.
It's important to choose the right pressure for your concrete driveway cleaning. Cleaning under high-pressure water can damage concrete and you might even remove too much of the top layer of cement. The best way is probably to start with low pressure and only increase the strength of your solution doesn't work after adding more cleaning agents. If you do use a strong stream, clean in narrow areas and don't let the water run over the same spot for longer than 10 seconds or so. A common PSI is around 500 psi to 1500 psi but you should start to see instant results at around 800 psi.
You can clean oil spills from your driveway with dish soap and water. Mix up some dish soap in a bucket and use a scrub brush to get into the cracks of your concrete and lift away any dirt or grime that has accumulated. After you're done washing it down, wipe off any excess oil or grease on the surface with paper towels before rinsing it thoroughly with water. If there's still an oily residue left over on the cement, try scrubbing it one more time with soapy water and then rinse again until all of the soap is gone. For best results, hose off your concrete every day for a week after using this method to clear away any leftover oils or grease that might attract new stains later on.
One of the most irritating things you can see on your concrete driveway is green algae. It's unsightly and it stains the surface. Removing it doesn't have to be too difficult, but if you want to get rid of it for good, there are a few steps you need to take before starting your work. A natural cleaner or baking soda works wonders for these algae stains.
Green algae form when water collects in cracks in your cement or on bare spots where paint has chipped off. Moisture is one of the biggest problems when it comes to this type of issue because it provides the perfect environment for microbes like mould and algae to grow.
If you want to keep these microbes from forming again, first make sure that there's no more standing water on the surface of your driveway. Next, always hose off your driveway after mowing and/or rain as excess moisture is one of the biggest causes of algae growth.
Another important element is the type of paint you use with your concrete. Latex paints are easier to clean but don't last as long as epoxy paints. Make sure to always cover your pavement with a coat of paint if you use epoxy, as it's more durable and less likely to leave stains behind.