You may have forgotten, but the basement is part of your home, and you need to clean it! It’s another living space, but we usually avoid this area due to the smell of the dirt in it. But for that dirt & smell to go away, the time to time cleaning of the basement floor is necessary. So the time has come to clean your concrete basement floor. But you may don’t know how to clean concrete basement floor!
Don’t worry. In this article, you will learn about various methods of cleaning concrete basement floors. It will also include the step-by-step guide of cleaning the floor and making it look new. So let’s get started!
How to clean concrete basement floor?
The concrete basement floor is a common type of basement floor, and in most houses, you will use the concrete floor because they are long-lasting, cost less and prevent humidity from floods. But everything needs maintenance, so does the concrete basement floor.
So buckle up and clean your concrete basement floor by following these steps:
Supplies Needed:
- Vacuum cleaner
- A scrub brush
- A soft-bristled broom
- Warm water
- Stiff nylon brush
- Dish detergent
- Bucket
- 2 ounces liquid bleach
- ¼ cup ammonia
- Spray bottle
- Flagstone piece
- Dry cement
Process:
1) Put out the things from the basement.
Clear the basement floor of all furniture, boxes, and other clutter before you begin cleaning. All of those objects should be stored safely until the basement is entirely clean and dry. You may wish to ask a family member or a friend to assist you with the task.
2) Remove the dust and dirt with Vaccum
Following that, sweep the floor thoroughly with a soft-bristled broom, ensuring that the whole surface is covered. Concentrate your sweeping efforts on the corners, where huge particles of dirt, dust, or debris frequently accumulate and conceal.
Using a commercial vacuum, vacuum the floor again to remove any lingering dust or minute particles that the first sweep may have missed.
3) Remove the Stains
It’s best to take care of any stubborn stains like rust first, then go on to the rest of the cleaning. Here are two ways to do it:
Wet the area first, then spray a lot of vinegar or lemon juice on the rusted parts. Allow at least 20 minutes for the cleaner to settle on the rust spot. Next, the rust stains should be scrubbed in a circular motion with a stiff-bristled brush before being thoroughly rinsed with fresh water.
The second approach includes the use of dry cement and a tiny piece of flagstone to remove rust spots. Sprinkle dry cement over the rust stain and massage the surface with a tiny piece of flagstone.
Now you will see the stains to be gone.
4) Remove Efforecence/white powder from the floor.
When water percolates through concrete and evaporates, leaving behind soluble salts, a white powder may form on the surface.
A strong scrub brush is the best tool for removing efflorescence from basement concrete. To remove the white powder from the concrete floor, use a scrub brush. Once the powder is gone, use a damp sponge or mop to wring out the excess water and then wipe the area with the sponge or mop.
5) Clean the floor with the chosen product
Now, it is time to clean your floor with the use of some solutions or products. This will make your floor clean and good to do.
The use of the product you want to use comes down to what kind of concrete you have and what kind of staining you might be dealing with. Remember to mix the cleaner with water and apply it to your floor, and then you’ll want to scrub.
Clean the concrete with a wire brush after applying the cleanser. Avoid metal wire brushes, which can break off and become embedded in the pores of the concrete if they aren’t used properly.
6) Rinse the Floor
Fill a clean bucket with warm water to get rid of any soap scum on the concrete basement floor. To clean the floor, start in one corner and move toward the door so there aren’t as many footprints.
Remember to wring the mop out and put it in the water a few times a week to keep other parts of the floor clean.
7) Let the floor dry before bringing furniture & other things back.
Mold and mildew can grow on concrete that is moist, depending on the type of concrete you have. Make sure the area is completely dry before bringing back anything that might retain moisture or slow down the drying process.
What are the best cleaner for concrete basement floor?
Cleaners are the most important step in cleaning the concrete basement floor. If you choose the wrong cleaner, it may not work well or can be too hard for even the concrete floor. So it is essential to use only suitable cleaner for concrete basement floors. Here are some suitable cleaners:
Bleach
Use it: For every gallon of warm water, add 3/4 cups of bleach. While cleaning, use a rubber brush or mop to spread the bleach solution around the floor. Allow the bleach solution to settle for 10 minutes before rinsing the floor with fresh water.
Always remember, never use bleach with Ammonia, vinegar, or rubbing alcohol in any situation.
Ammonia
Another efficient way to clean musty concrete basement flooring with tenacious dirt patches or mold concerns is using an ammonia solution. It is one of the best cleaners for concrete floors. Ammonia and dish soap/detergent can be mixed in a bucket with warm water and used as a cleaning solution.
Apply the ammonia solution to your floor with a rubber brush, taking care to clean any spots that have accumulated filth. Wipe the floor thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining ammonia. Allow for thorough drying of the floor before sealing ventilation tubes.
Before using Ammonia, be sure to follow all safety precautions and directions.
Concrete Cleaning Solution
The simplest approach to clean a concrete basement floor properly is to use a commercially available solution intended for this purpose.
These concrete cleaning products are available at large shops such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as online.
Commercial cleaning solutions may not be successful on all floors; conduct research and select a product that is compatible with the specific type of concrete flooring in your basement.
Pressure Washer
Using a pressure washer to remove huge amounts of dirt from concrete flooring is an option if your basement has a drainage system.
- To use, simply add clean water to the pressure washer tank.
- The amount of pressure you’ll need to remove filth, grime, mold, and dust should be carefully tested.
- Spray the floors as hard as you can until all visible dirt has been cleared, working your way in from the room’s perimeter toward the drain.
- To get rid of the extra water, sweep it into the drain using your broom.
Wash Solution
If you feel the need to thoroughly clean your basement floor, consider utilizing a wash solution. These are 70% alcohol, which makes them effective and prevents them from evaporating. This provides you with additional time to work during a deep clean.
How to clean concrete basement floor after a flood?
You should begin by removing any standing water from your basement as soon as possible if it has been flooded. You may use a pump or a wet/dry shop vac to do this. Dry your concrete basement flooring after removing any water that may have accumulated.
Dehumidifiers and fans should be placed in the basement to speed up drying.
How to clean concrete basement floor before painting?
Before painting on a concrete floor, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface. There is a lot of cleaning, sweeping, and scrubbing involved. Here’s the process:
- To begin, remove any mats and floor rugs from the house or store them in a storage room. Sweep and vacuum the floor next.
- It is now time to mop. If you use a big, flat mop, you can clean more quickly and evenly. Then, scrub your floors using a cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth.
- Now, use a non-abrasive cleaning solution that has a neutral pH level, rubber gloves, and a stiff bristle or wire brush.
- Now clean your floor with water thoroughly so that no dust or anything is left on the floor.
- After cleaning your floor with water, you should allow some time for the concrete to dry.
- Now your floor is good to go for painting!
How to clean unsealed concrete basement floor?
Cleaning unsealed concrete floors is similar to cleaning sealed concrete floors, except that you want to avoid letting cleaning products or water used to rinse cleaning solutions linger on the floor for an extended period of time.
If the liquid is allowed to rest, it might seep into the concrete, causing more stains.
Dry clean as much as feasible and remove liquids as rapidly as possible, removing sitting liquids using a wet/dry shop vac if necessary.
How to clean concrete basement floor after sewer backup?
- Use natural drainage or pumping to remove all floodwater and sewage.
- Remove trash, mud, and soil from areas that were flooded.
- Use a disinfectant cleaning solution and a mop and bucket to disinfect the flooring.
- Throughout the cleaning procedure, be sure to keep changing the water.
- After you’ve finished cleaning, use a scrub brush soaked in a solution of 1/2 cup bleach to 1-gallon water to destroy bacteria on all walls and floors.
- Now wash the floor with water thoroughly.
- Now just left the floor for drying.
- Open all of the windows in the sewage backup area.
Bottom Line
This was all about how to clean basement floor. Always try to clean the dust and debris from the floor with a dry brush or vacuum cleaner before cleaning with cleaner & water. Moreover, take precautions while using cleaners.
We hope you found this article helpful & informative. Leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments!
Thank you for reading!
