The Best Concrete Cleaner to Clean and Prep Your Concrete

---

Best Concrete Cleaner Buyer’s Guide

Why Clean Concrete

While most people understand the importance of cleaning your basement concrete from time to time, especially if you have a dog that peed on it, some people may be skeptical about cleaning outdoor concrete.

If you have a spouse or friend teasing you for wanting to clean your driveway or sidewalk, tell them you’re not just enhancing your curb appeal and property value, you’re also helping the environment.

Uncleaned concrete tends to have build-ups of mold, mildew, oil, and animal feces and fluids that pose health risks to humans. Clean your concrete at least once a year. The longer these stains sit, the harder it will be to remove them.

Square Footage

Measure the square footage of the concrete area you need to be cleaned. This will help you determine how much cleaner you need to buy. Depending on the size of the area, you may need to buy multiple bottles of cleaner.

Concrete Type

Knowing the type of concrete you’re cleaning and how much PSI it requires will also help you determine the best concrete cleaner for your situation and how much cleaner you need.

If you are pressure washing your driveway, you will need a pressure washer that reaches 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) and a flow rate of four gallons per minute. A basement floor only needs 1,200 to 1,500 PSI.

Indoor Concrete Floors

The best concrete cleaner for indoor concrete floors all has a pH-neutral solution. Avoid harsh cleaning chemicals on your indoor floors. You don’t want to use ammonia, citrus, bleach, vinegar, or pine cleaners because they can react on the concrete and damage the surface.

For the most challenging stains on your indoor concrete floor, you can use hot water and dish soap, then scrub them with a bristle brush. Microfiber mop pads should be used for mopping your basement floor.

You may need a wet/dry vacuum, especially after cleaning your basement where moisture tends to retain, to remove excess water.

Concrete Driveways and Patios

You can use bleach or vinegar on your outdoor concrete to remove tough stains, but be careful: If your driveway has a decorative finish, you could end up damaging it. It’s always best to test a small section of your driveway before cleaning the whole thing.

Other common household cleaners used on outdoor concrete are dish soap and cat litter.

Cleaning Method

Power or pressure washing uses quite a bit more solution than the traditional mopping method. Determine whether you plan to pressure wash your concrete or mop it because this will help you determine how much concrete cleaner you need to buy.

Stain Types

Pet Stains and Odor

Removing the actual pet stain and removing the pet odor are two different processes. Eco Strong Outdoor Odor Eliminator, recommended above, is a deodorizer that contains enzymes to attack the stench of pet feces and urine.

This product is best used in conjunction with an all-purpose cleaner. Clean the area well with an all-purpose cleaner or one of the other cleaners above like the SIMPLE GREEN Outdoor Pressure Concentrate to remove the stain, then use an enzyme cleaner to remove the pet odor.

You will see many pet cleaners advertising their ability to clean and deodorize, but note that many of these cleaners are intended for carpet and fabric, not concrete.

Rust

If you’re battling rust, use a cleaner made with non-corrosive or biodegradable acid. Oxalic acid is a common ingredient used in rust cleaning products.

Mold

Most mold-killing solutions are made with bleach, ammonia, or vinegar. You can use one of these common household products on your mold stains, or you can purchase one of the mold and mildew solutions recommended above. Rinse your concrete well, because bleach can cause discoloration.

Warning: Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia. These mixtures create toxic gases that can be detrimental to your health.

Oil

If you have oil stains on your patio or driveway, use a degreaser first.

Sealed vs Unsealed

Sealed concrete floors are much easier to clean than unsealed floors, and you should not pressure wash them or use harsh chemicals. Never use ammonia, bleach, or any highly acidic substance on your sealed concrete floors.

---

Best Concrete Cleaner Frequently Asked Questions

What chemicals are best for pressure washing concrete?

The most common commercials used in concrete cleaners are oxalic acid, citric acid, sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, bleach, ammonia, and potassium hydroxide.

What is the best natural concrete cleaner?

Making your concrete cleaner from household items is simple. Vinegar, baking soda, sodium peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach are all excellent natural cleaners.

Just make sure never to mix bleach and vinegar.

Are concrete cleaners harmful to pets?

You should never use certain ingredients around your pets. Bleach and ammonia are toxic to pets, potentially causing breathing issues or irritation on your pet’s skin. If you’re not able to confine your pets, use a natural cleaner like Dr. Bonner’s Biodegradable Cleaner on your sealed floors.

How often should you use concrete cleaner?

Outdoor walkways, patios, driveways, and sidewalks should be cleaned at least once a year. Interior floors should be mopped at least every two weeks.

Walls and areas with minimal traffic can be cleaned once a year, though you should reseal sealed concrete at least every two years depending on its wear and tear.

---

Wrapping up the Best Concrete Cleaners

You’re all set to start cleaning your concrete with the best concrete cleaners on the market. Are you planning on painting your concrete next? Read these DIY Concrete Painting tips.