How to Clean Unsealed Concrete Floors Indoors
Concrete floors in your home can be a great way to add value and style, but they may need some cleaning after years of wear and tear. Concrete is porous, so it can hold onto dirt, dust, and grime, making for an unpleasant environment indoors. However, if you have unsealed concrete floors, there are several ways you can clean them yourself!
When unsealed concrete floors are exposed to moisture, they can develop a white or grayish film that looks like mold. This is a chemical reaction with the alkalinity of the water and minerals in your concrete floor. It’s essential to keep this from happening because it can be damaging over time. Here’s how to clean unsealed concrete floors indoors without ruining them!
12 Ways on How to Clean Unsealed Concrete Floors Indoors:
1. Using Unsealed Concrete:
Using unsealed concrete is a great way to give your home and business a fresh new look. Many people choose to combine the cost of their flooring installation with that of their kitchen countertops or bathroom vanity tops. This saves them the time and effort of determining which contractor they want to hire and is often a great way to expand the value of your home.
2. Renting Floor Polishing Equipment:
Like renting tools and equipment for painting or other construction needs, some people choose to rent out unique equipment designed specifically to clean concrete floors. This helps them save on costs while still giving their base a thorough cleaning at least once a year.
3. Vacuuming:
Since concrete is porous, it will pick up dirt and debris very quickly. Many people choose to use a regular household vacuum cleaner on their concrete floors, which works great in most situations. However, if you have pets or small children that spend a lot of time inside the house, this is not always an option. A vacuum cleaner with a brush on board tends to work best for most types of concrete floors.
4. Dry Scrubbing:
While wet scrubbing typically works better, some people choose to dry scrub their floor instead. This can be done simply by dusting the floor with a dry rag and then using a broom to sweep the excess dirt and debris away. This can save time and is often recommended for cleaning particularly stubborn stains.
5. Cleaning With Soap:
Although most people don’t think of it, soap is a very effective cleaner for concrete floors. Laundry detergent works great, but it may be necessary to use quite a bit of soap at once. Many people will mix water with their soap before they begin cleaning. While this requires them to use more materials, it also helps make the chore go by much faster.
6. Using a Mop:
Like dry scrubbing, using a mop can save time using enough water and soap to clean your floor correctly. However, be sure that you wring the excess water from the mop before you begin mopping! It can damage your floor if this is not done by pulling too much dirt into the cracks and crevices.
7. Using a Steam Cleaner:
Steam cleaners have recently become very popular due to the convenience they offer. Many of these machines are easily transportable, allowing you to clean any surface right in your own home without having to buy a separate device for each unique situation or task.
8. Sweeping:
While vacuum cleaners are the most effective choice for floors, there are many situations where a regular old broom is all you need. This can be especially true if you have little kids or pets constantly tracking dirt into your home. A simple push broom with firm bristles will work wonders when it comes to sweeping concrete floors.
9. Using Dish Soap:
It might sound surprising, but dish soap can be a great cleaning agent for some types of concrete floors. Drench the floor with water before you begin scrubbing it down with your soap solution to help make the process go by much faster. While this is not always a practical choice, it might be just the thing you need to help get rid of that stubborn grime.
10. Renting a Buffer:
If you have stubborn stains or scratches that need to be removed from your concrete floor, it might be a good idea to rent a buffer. These machines work by spinning at high speeds as they apply friction against the surface of the floor. This helps eliminate those stubborn marks and can even help improve the appearance of your floor in some cases.
11. Using a Concrete Cleaner:
Most concrete floors can be soaked with water and cleaned with simple household cleaners from the local grocery store. However, if you have particularly stubborn stains, it might be a good idea to use a commercial cleaner instead. These are typically more powerful than their home-brewed counterparts and can help eliminate even the most difficult stains.
12. Using bleach:
Bleach is another option that some people choose to use to clean their concrete floors, but it should always be used with caution. While bleach is an effective cleaner, it tends to fade the color of your floor over time if you are not careful.
Always try to dilute your bleach with water at least 50/50 before you use it on your floor. More is typically better in this case, and you should always opt for the most diluted solution that will still get rid of your stains.
You can also check it out to Get Paint Off Stone Floor
Conclusion:
If you want to clean unsealed concrete floors indoors, the first thing you need to do is remove any dirt or debris that might be on top of it. You can use a broom for this job if there isn’t too much dust and dirt on the surface of your floor. Once all visible particles are gone, sweep up what’s left with a vacuum cleaner attachment designed for hard surfaces like tile or stone.
For more stubborn stains, scrub them away using hot water mixed with dish soap to remove whatever was spilled onto the floor before sealing it. Finally, wipe down the entire surface one last time using an old rag soaked in warm soapy water just as soon as possible after cleaning because moisture will cause the sealer to harden.
With this guide on how to clean unsealed concrete floors indoors, you should now be able to clean unsealed concrete floors indoors successfully.
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
