How To Clean A Concrete Floor In Basement (DIY Ways)

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Looking for simple DIY ways how to clean a concrete floor in basement of your house? You’ve landed on the right page.

People avoid basements because of unclean concrete floors and odors of mildew, but basements are additional living rooms in your home.

Cleaning the concrete floor of your basement is an excellent idea if you’re working on home renovation projects.

We’ll show you a selection of floor cleaning processes and tips for cleaning a concrete basement floor for you to try out.

Concrete is a prevalent flooring material in basements and garages, and it’s infamous for collecting filth and oil spills.

Even while dehumidifiers prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mildew and mold, these floors still need to be cleaned consistently.

An effective cleaning method can help remove stubborn stains from the basement floor and restore it to its former state.

Here, in this article, we will cover all methods on how to clean a concrete floor in basement.

Selecting The Best Cleaner

Concrete floors may be cleaned with a variety of cleaning products. Cleaners for concrete floors

are available in enzymatic, acidic, alkaline, and neutral pH varieties.

For example, if you’re trying to remove a stain from a painted or stained floor finish or a concrete floor that has been sealed or unsealed, the sort of cleaner you’ll need will depend on what you’re trying to remove.

A pH-neutral cleaning solution may not be able to remove persistent stains like grease and rust. Even though these cleaning agents are efficient, easy to use, and generally available, they must be handled with caution because of the chemical elements in the cleaner.

Cleaning Solutions Available In The Market For Concrete Floors

This is one of the most accessible cleaning agents. This pH-neutral cleaning solution, which is commonly sold in detergent form, is designed for concrete cleaning, making it ideal for cleaning basement flooring. The following are other common cleaning chemicals for concrete floors:

• Bleach: If you have mold or mildew in your basement, this is an excellent cleaner to use.
• Ammonia: Ammonia is an excellent substitute for bleach when it comes to tough mold and grime stains.
• Muriatic Acid: This powerful cleaning product removes years of dirt and grime buildup. High acidity levels are the key to its effectiveness.

Cleaning Solutions For Sealed And Unsealed Floors

Grease and oil stains are common on unprotected floors because they have been exposed to debris and liquids that are highly absorbent without a sealing layer.

An alkaline-based cleaning chemical is recommended for uncoated surfaces because it dissolves the stains with soluble salts that you can easily remove. The protective top layer of sealed flooring minimizes stains, making cleaning considerably easier.

Acidic or alkaline cleaning chemicals can weaken and cause erosion of the seal cover on sealed floors; thus, it’s best to use PH-neutral cleaning solutions on them instead.

How To Clean A Concrete Floor In Basement – Complete Process

It is the quickest and most effective technique to clean a basement floor made of concrete by utilizing a commercially available product.

In addition to being marketed at big retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s, these concrete cleaning chemicals are also available for purchase online.

A wide variety of cleaners can be used, with similar tools and methods required, and the results are nearly identical.

Bleach

Bleach is the finest solution to remove mildew, mold, and musty odors from your basement’s concrete floors. Here’s how to safely and effectively clean the concrete floors using bleach.

Steps:

1. Once you have the necessary tools and materials, here are the procedures for using bleach to clean concrete floors.
2. Open the windows and doors to the basement and place fans at regular intervals to help circulate fresh air.
3. Sweep and dispose of all dust and debris from the flooring.
4. For each gallon of water, add three-quarters of a cup of bleach.
5. Keep your hands and eyes safe by using gloves and other protective gear.
6. Use the bleach solution to the floor and scrub it with a rubber brush or a mop as you go.
7. Rinse the bleach off the floor using clean water after letting it sit in the solution for ten minutes.
8. The floor should be totally dry before reopening the air channels and returning to use.

Bleach should never be used in combination with rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or ammonia. These mixtures can be harmful and even deadly if they are combined in large enough amounts.

Bleach should never be mixed with anything other than water. If there are young children who frequently come into contact with the basement floor, bleach may not be the best option.

Bleach residue can leave stains on clothing, harm paint, and degrade others. Before using bleach, put on clothes you don’t care about and remove anything that might get harmed.

Cleaning Solution

Cleaning solutions are products used to cleanse surfaces or objects. They can contain many different ingredients, including detergents, solvents, surfactants, and disinfectants.

In addition to their cleaning properties, some solutions also have deodorizing and bleaching capabilities. The use of cleaning solutions can help remove dirt, grease, stains, and other contaminants from a variety of surfaces.

Steps:

To get the most out of your cleaning solution, read the instructions on the bottle. However, in the majority of circumstances, you’ll have to follow these steps:

1. The concrete floor should be thoroughly swept, and any visible debris and dust should be removed.
2. Before applying the cleaning solution to your floor, if necessary, dilute it with clean water.
3. Apply the diluted solution with a firm rubber brush.
4. Make sure to pay close attention to any stains or stubborn filth that may necessitate more scrubbing and solution application.
5. Rinse the solution from the floor with a wet mop. Many cleansers don’t require rinsing, so be sure to read the instructions carefully before using them.
6. Please do not walk on the wet floor until it has totally dried.

There are some points to consider before using this technique on the concrete floors of your basement. You should conduct your study and choose a product that is compatible with the specific kind of concrete floor in your basement before using industrial cleaning solutions.

Additionally, you’ll want to verify the solution ingredients to ensure there are no personal or family allergies. This is especially true if the basement is utilized as a playroom by little children who may crawl or otherwise come into contact with the floor.

Rust, oil, and other more severe dirt may require a more powerful cleaning solution.

Ammonia

Another efficient way to clean musty concrete basement flooring with tenacious dirt patches or mold issues is using an ammonia solution. This strategy is explained below.

Steps:

If you want to use ammonia to clean your basement floor, here are the steps:

1. Make every effort to have the most airflow possible in your basement.
2. The floor should be thoroughly swept and any debris disposed of.
3. Add about 14 cups of ammonia to a bucket of warm water, then add about 2-3 “squirts” of dish soap/detergent per gallon.
4. Protect yourself by donning gloves and other safety gear.
5. Apply the ammonia solution to your floor with a rubber brush, and carefully scrub any places where filth has accumulated.
6. Clean water should be used to remove any remaining ammonia from the floor.
7. Close ventilation ducts only when the floor has dried thoroughly.

If you plan on utilizing ammonia for floor cleaning, you should avoid exposing it or its vapors to any reactive products, such as bleach.

Before using any product, be sure to follow all safety precautions and directions. Remove all other cleaning products and sensitive things before applying ammonia to the floor.

Pressure Washer

As long as your basement is equipped with a drainage system, you may use a pressure washer to quickly clean big areas of debris from the basement concrete floors. Ensure your basement floor has a good drainage system before using this method.

Steps:

1. Wipe the floor clean with a stiff bristle brush.
2. Use fresh water to re-fill the tank of the pressure washer.
3. Determine the pressure you must use to remove dirt, mold, and dust from the surface.
4. Your floors should be cleaned from the outside inward, starting at the perimeter and working toward the drain.
5. Push water down the drain with your broom.
6. Take a break and let the floor dry out.

Remove everything from the basement that might get damaged by water before using a power washer. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet.

Ensure appliances and other bulky things aren’t sitting directly on the floor by covering them with plastic or tarps.

The gas-powered pressure washer should never be used indoors; instead, use an electric one that is safe for interior usage. If you’re unsure, speak with the product’s creator.

Always check the various settings outside before using the machine indoors, as directed by the machine’s maker.

Keep Reading: Installing Laminate Flooring On Concrete Surface

Dry Cement

Dry cement can be used to repair a rust-damaged concrete basement floor in a jiffy. In contrast to the other procedures, dry cement does not necessitate soaking the floors with water. It works like this.

Steps:

The dry cement can be used as soon as you have all the necessary supplies. The following are the steps:

1. Wipe the floor clean with a stiff bristle brush.
2. Dry cement can be sprinkled on the rust stain to be removed. When using cement to clean, do not combine it with water. This will transform it into cement.
3. Using a stiff bristle brush, gently work the dry cement into the stain in a circular motion.
4. In order to eliminate all stains, repeat this procedure until the dry cement has been used up.
5. Remove any remaining dust with a broom.

Wear a mask when working with dry cement to avoid inhaling the dust. Gloves may be necessary to get rid of cracked hands while working with dry cement.

Make sure to thoroughly clean the basement floor and apply some hand lotion once you’re done using the dry cement. Powder kicked up in the air can create a “haze” if it isn’t properly ventilated.

Muriatic Acid

You can use muriatic acid solutions if you want to remove years of filth from your basement before staining or painting them. Hydrochloric acid, or muriatic acid, is a very acidic chemical.

Do not use muriatic acid to prevent damage to plastics, textiles, and metals. It is highly corrosive. Make sure you don’t get any on your skin. It’s incredibly harmful.

This procedure may be your only option if you’ve tried everything else and still can’t get your floors clean.

Steps:

The following are the measures to follow after you’ve put on the protective gear:

• Using windows, fans, etc., ventilate the basement.
• Make a thorough sweep of the floor.
• Soak a sponge in soapy water until it forms suds.
• Allow the floor to dry after using a soapy solution to mop it.
• Mix muriatic acid and water in a 1:4 ratio while wearing gloves. Avoid getting the acid on any skin that may be exposed.
• Take care when sprinkling the mixture over your floor because you’ll be disposing of the tool once it’s finished.
• Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Once all fumes are evacuated and the air has been cleaned, mop the floor at least two or more times.
• Also, leave ample time for the surface to dry completely before walking on it.

It’s imperative that you have enough ventilation, use protective clothing, and keep all children and pets out of your basement when applying muriatic acid.

It is hazardous to deal with muriatic acid because even a small amount can inflict severe chemical burns. The muriatic acid has safety instructions printed on it, so be sure to read and adhere to them.

Tips For Concrete Floor Cleaning

Following the recommended procedures is the best way to keep your concrete appearing new and clean.

Clear The Floor

Moving the heavy stuff into your basement can be a hassle, but it is an essential first step. Remove all boxes and furniture from the floor, as well.

In addition to protecting your belongings from water damage, this will allow you to access every part of the space. You can put the objects back where they belong once the basement has been thoroughly cleaned and dried.

Remove The Dirt And Debris

If your floor isn’t properly sealed, damp dirt might seep into it, creating fresh and tenacious stains. Sweep up all the dust and debris, carefully getting into every nook and cranny. Vacuuming can help you eliminate any stray dirt that clings to the floor after sweeping.

Figuring Out And Removal Of Fungal Growth

Mold and mildew can grow on your basement floors if they aren’t properly ventilated. Stale air accumulates, which can be remedied most effectively by ensuring that the room receives adequate fresh air circulation.

Bleach can be used to eliminate fungal growth, but if the problem is more serious, contact a mold and asbestos, removal expert.

Removal Of Efflorescence

Efflorescent is frequently found on moldy concrete basement flooring. When water seeps into the concrete and evaporates, it leaves behind a whitish powder that can be seen on concrete walls and floors.

A scrub brush and a wet cloth are effective tools for eliminating efflorescence. To prevent this from happening, make sure your flooring is waterproofed throughout the year’s hottest months.

Removal Of Stains

Concrete basement flooring is susceptible to a variety of stains. Some are simple to get rid of, while others are tougher to get rid of and necessitate the use of more powerful cleaning solutions.

It has been found that vinegar, which is acidic, is an excellent agent for eliminating concrete stains, like rust and efflorescence.

To use, you just spray it on the stains, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub them away. Vinegar-like effects can be expected from lemon juice.

Baking soda can neutralize a cleaner’s acidity prior to a final rinse with water.

Mopping The Floor

The concrete floor must be mopped at this point. Water, bucket, safety gear including gloves and goggles, a mop and brush, and a cleaning solution are essential for this phase.

Using a pressure washer to clean the floors in your basement is a quick and easy option if your drainage system is working correctly.

It’s a fantastic tool for getting into the nooks and crannies of your home. Using a mop afterward will help speed up the drying process.

After cleaning your floor, you should polish it with a floor maintenance product that will restore its shine and cleanliness if it has a glossy appearance or has been painted.

Final Verdict

With this, our article has come to an endpoint. We have covered all necessary steps, safety measures, necessary tools, and everything else to help you out with the query “how to clean a concrete floor in basement.”

If you follow the instructions correctly and stick to the guidelines we have explained, you don’t have to call a professional for the job.