Cleaning is always a must, and it can be done by a professional or by your own hands. The method you choose to clean them depends on what kind of floors do you have.
In my last article, I talked about how to clean unsealed concrete floors. That was a great success and people really liked it. But one thing they requested was to review some of the best cleaners for unsealed concrete floors. So here we go!
Unsealed concrete floor cleaning will require an extra effort as well as need specially designed products for such specific jobs. In the market, there are plenty of different types of cleaners available but not all of them will work in this situation. Below, I am going to give you the list of some of the most used ones and then talk about which one is good for you.
Top 5 Cleaners For Unseal Concrete Floor At A Glance
- CC Concrete Coatings EZ-PREP Etch – My First Choice
- Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Pressure Washer Cleaner – Most Effective Cleaner
- Singerman Laboratories Rust Remover for Concrete
- Zep Driveway and Concrete Pressure Wash Cleaner – Best Budget Cleaner
- ACT Eco Friendly Powder Concrete Cleaner
Now, let’s take a look at these cleaners from top to bottom:
1. CC Concrete Coatings Ez-Prep Etch
This cleaner is made specifically for unsealed concrete floors only. It contains 3% phosphoric acid that etches the surface, helps remove stains, and makes it easier to apply sealant. This product is very easy to use and won’t damage the finish. You just need to mix 1 part cleaner with 9 parts water and spray onto the surface. Then wait 10 minutes for the solution to dry and then scrub the surface and clean up any remaining residue using a mop and water.
In my garden unsealed concrete walkway area, I find this cleaner works perfectly even though I don’t use any other cleaner after it. The acidity level is perfect for my needs. It doesn’t leave any residue on the floor and leaves me with no problem applying sealant later on.
In my 300 sq ft garage, I found the same results. 1 gallon of bottle is enough for several applications and has been working well for over 6 months now.
The main downside, though, is that tough stains like tar, oil and grease, can be difficult to remove with it.
2. Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete & Driveway Pressure Washing Cleaner
This cleaner is made for both sealed and unsealed indoor/outdoor concrete surfaces. It contains oxygen and surfactants that help dissolve dirt and grime while also removing stains.
It is recommended for areas with high traffic like driveways, sidewalks, or parking lots because it eliminates odors and cleans faster than other cleaners. It works great for both commercial and residential properties.
I tried this cleaner out on my driveway and I found it works great. It removes everything, including tar, oil, and grease stains. Another plus point is that it doesn’t leave behind any residues, so it requires less maintenance.
It requires pressure washing equipment that includes a wand and hose but if you already have one, this cleaner is a must-try.
3. Singerman Laboratories Rust Remover For Concrete
This is another great cleaner for unsealed concrete. It comes in powder form and can be mixed with water to create a paste. Once applied, it dissolves rust and rusticles (small particles) while leaving the rest of the mixture intact.
You should note that when mixing this cleaner, it may become too thick and hard to spread. If this happens, add more water until you get the desired consistency.
This cleaner works really well and is highly recommended by many people since it does not contain harsh chemicals and will not damage your flooring.
I used this cleaner on my garage floor and was surprised how much rust came off. After rinsing off the floor with water, I noticed that there wasn’t any rust left.
If you are looking for an affordable yet effective cleaner, this is what you want to try.
4. Zep Driveway and Concrete Pressure Wash Cleaner
This is one of the most popular cleaning products available today because of its eco-friendly formula and convenient application method. It is ideal for cleaning either sealed or unsealed concrete.
It’s formulated with oxalic acid, citric acid and acetic acid that help break down the calcium carbonate in concrete. These acids also make it possible to remove stains from concrete such as tar, oil, grease and blood.
If you’re worried about damaging your floors, you shouldn’t since these acids won’t cause any harm. They simply work at breaking down the surface spots of the concrete rather than penetrating into it.
The best part is that this cleaner dries quickly and doesn’t require any scrubbing after application. You just need to pressure wash it away.
Since it has no residue, you don’t need to worry about cleaning up afterwards. This makes it perfect for cleaning large areas.
Though this product isn’t cheap, it is worth every penny. It costs around $50 per gallon, which is half the price of some other cleaners.
5. ACT Eco Friendly Powder Concrete Cleaner
The last product on my list is ACT Eco-Friendly Powder Concrete & Driveway Cleaner. The reason why I chose this particular cleaner is that it contains natural ingredients. Natural substances are generally safe and non-hazardous, unlike synthetic ones.
As far as effectiveness goes, this cleaner is very good. It’s made from biodegradable materials and is completely free of harmful chemicals.
It has been specially designed to clean all types of concrete surfaces and sealers. While it can dissolve almost anything, it might take time depending on the type of material you want to be removed.
The application method is slightly different compared to the previous cleaners. Instead of being mixed with water, powder needs to be spread over the affected area directly. Then, using a brush mop or sponge, spread the powder equally across the surface.
After that, apply light water spray on it so that the powder gets dissolved properly. Since it is a dry cleaner, you don’ t need to rinse it off immediately. Just wait for it to dry before moving out of your way.
Overall, this is a good option if you want something simple but effective.
Some important things about cleaning unsealed concrete floors:
- It requires a bit of time to get cleaned properly.
- You should use special cleaners in order to avoid any damage to the surface.
- Make sure that all the dust and dirt from the surfaces are gathered before applying the cleaner.
- Choose the right product according to the type of floor you have.
- Don’t apply too much pressure when using the cleaner. This might cause some damage to the surface.
- Use only one cleaner at a time so that you don’t mix up different kinds of chemicals.
- Always follow the instructions given by the manufacturer of the cleaner.
FAQs:
Q: What are the best mop for unsealed concrete floors?
A: Brush mop is probably the easiest and most affordable option. However, they aren’t great for deep cleaning purposes.
Q: How do I choose the best cleaning products for unsealed concrete floors?
A: First and foremost, you should look for an eco-friendly product. Secondly, look for a product that has all natural ingredients. Thirdly, check whether the product contains toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, ammonia, etc.
Q: Can I use bleach to clean unsealed concrete floors?
A: No! Bleach is extremely dangerous and will leave chemical residues behind. If you must use bleach, make sure you dilute it with enough water first.
Q: What are the health risks of unsealed concrete floors?
A: There isn’t really any risk involved if you use proper care while cleaning them. However, if you ignore certain precautions, there could be potential problems. One example would be breathing in concrete dust, which is extremely unhealthy.
Q: How to clean cement floor stains?
A: Cement stains usually come from food spills, oil, grease, etc. In most cases, these stains won’t go away unless you remove them. The easiest thing you could do is just wipe them with damp cloth. But if you want to get rid of them permanently, try mixing baking soda and vinegar together. Mix 1 part of baking soda and 2 parts of white vinegar. Apply the solution evenly over the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash it off thoroughly using warm water.
Q: How long does it take to clean unsealed concrete flooring?
A: Depending on how dirty your floor is, it can take anywhere between 20 minutes to 45 minutes.
Conclusion:
All the products mentioned above are safe to use and work well on unsealed concrete floors. However, it is recommended to always read the instructions provided by the manufacturers and to follow their guidelines closely.
