Any space, despite its décor, loses its beauty when it’s not clean.
So, whether your garage is a haven for your car, a workshop for your DIY crafts, or an extra storage space, keeping your floors clean makes a huge difference. This blog will walk you through basic procedures on how to clean our garage floors.
What’s more, we’ll give you tidbits on removing specific stains and provide FAQs to help you while cleaning.
Let’s dive and roll up our sleeves!
The Surefire Way on How to Clean Garage Floors
Garage floors are wide spaces to clean. It is an overwhelming task to complete. But, by following the right procedures, you will get the best results.
Clear the Area
Before you start cleaning, it’s essential to remove any items from the garage floor. Move cars, tools, storage boxes, and any other belongings out of the garage. This will give you a clear workspace and prevent any damage to your possessions.
Sweep Away Dust and Debris
You can use a broom to sweep the floor. Focus on removing loose dirt, dust, leaves, and any other debris. Pay special attention to the corners and edges where dirt tends to accumulate.
Remove Stains with Industrial Cleaning Solutions
If your garage floors have stubborn stains such as oil or grease, you need to get rid of them first before cleaning the whole space. In the latter part of this blog, we’ll elaborate on how to treat different stains.
Mop the Floor
Once stubborn stains are removed, it’s time to mop the floor with a homemade cleaning solution or industrial all-purpose cleaner. If you have the energy for it, you can use a stifled brush to brush the floor.
Rinse with Water
After mopping and scrubbing the floor, it’s time to rinse with water. You can use a garden hose or any method you’d like. The important thing to remember is to make sure you wash off any residue.
Dry the Floor
Allow the floor to dry completely before moving items back into the garage. You can speed up the drying process by using fans or opening the garage door for better air circulation. Be careful not to move items back when the floor is wet to prevent falls and slips.
Finish with a Sealer (OPTIONAL)
If you’re cleaning a concrete garage floor, you might want to consider applying a sealer for added protection. A sealer will help prevent stains from penetrating concrete surfaces and make future cleaning tasks easier. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.
Removing Different Stains on Garage Floors
Because a garage is an area where various activities are held, it would only make sense that stains can accumulate over time. Here’s what you can do to remove some of the most common pesky garage floor stains.
Oil And Grease
If you want to remove grease and oil from concrete garage floors, you’ll need baking soda, cat litter, dish soap, a degreaser, and a stiff cleaning brush. Listed below is the process for removing it.
- Absorb the Oil: Cover the oil stain with baking soda or cat litter and let it sit for several hours or overnight to absorb as much oil as possible.
- Sweep Up: Sweep away the baking soda or cat litter.
- Apply Dish Soap: Pour a generous amount of dish soap or degreaser onto the stain.
- Scrub: Use a stiff brush to scrub the stained area thoroughly.
- Rinse: Rinse the area with warm water.
- Repeat if Necessary: For stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the process or use a commercial degreaser.
Tire Marks
Garages that house cars will often have tire marks on their floors. To clean it, you’ll need a concrete cleaner or a degreaser and a stiff cleaning brush.
- Apply Cleaner: Apply a degreaser or specialized concrete cleaner directly onto the tire marks.
- Let it Sit: Allow the cleaner to sit for the recommended time specified by the manufacturer (usually a few minutes).
- Scrub: Scrub the tire marks with a stiff brush to loosen the rubber residue.
- Rinse: Rinse the area with warm water to remove the cleaner and lift stains.
Rust Stains
For garages that are mainly used as a workspace for various repairs or DIY projects, the presence of metal tools and equipment can leave rust on the floor. To remove them, you’ll need either lemon juice or vinegar. Add baking soda and a stiff cleaning brush to the list.
- Apply Lemon Juice/Vinegar: Pour lemon juice or white vinegar directly onto the rust stain.
- Let it Sit: Allow the liquid to sit on the stain for about 10-15 minutes. The acid in the lemon juice or vinegar will help break down the rust.
- Add Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda over the area. This will create a fizzy reaction that helps lift the stain.
- Scrub: Scrub the area with a stiff brush to work the solution into the stain.
- Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Paint Stains
Anyone who uses a garage for paint jobs will understand that stains from colors will stand out on the floor. To clean them off, you’ll need a scraper and a paint stripper (specifically made for concrete).
- Apply Paint Stripper: Apply a paint stripper that is safe for use on concrete to the paint stain.
- Let it Sit: Allow the stripper to sit for the amount of time recommended by the product instructions.
- Scrape Off Paint: Use a scraper to remove the loosened paint.
- Scrub and Rinse: Scrub the area with a stiff brush and rinse with warm water to remove any remaining paint and stripper residue.
Final Thoughts
Regularly maintaining a clean garage floor enhances the overall appearance of the area. Not only that, it protects the concrete and extends its lifespan. We hope the steps outlined in this blog provide clear instructions on how to clean garage floors.
But, if you find the process overwhelming, or worse, the stains are stubborn beyond scrubbing, don’t hesitate to reach out to the experts.
Professional cleaning services have the expertise and specialized equipment to tackle even the toughest stains, ensuring your garage floor is thoroughly cleaned and well-maintained. Hiring professionals can save you time, effort, and the hassle of dealing with difficult cleaning tasks, allowing you to enjoy a spotless and functional garage with minimal stress.