If you’ve invested in a concrete or exposed decorative aggregate driveway, it makes sense to maintain it with regular professional concrete cleaning. After all, it’s the first thing you see when arriving home or stepping out your door in the morning.
Concrete is a miracle substance for its strength and longevity. Almost two thousand years after the Pantheon was built in Rome, its unreinforced concrete dome is still standing (and is still the largest of its type in the world.) However durable concrete is, professional cleaning and maintenance will help your home or business look its best, free from grime, oil and stains.
The top five benefits of professional concrete cleaning
- Save time which you can better use elsewhere. High-pressure concrete cleaning by a professional means you’re guaranteed of a job done well, so you can focus on what you do well – or just relax for a moment.
- Deep clean without the hassle of scrubbing. A professional concrete cleaning service can work to remove those annoying oil stains from the car or the barbecue.
- Fast service. While it may seem a straightforward DIY job, Kleenit has perfected the concrete cleaning process to maximise efficiency and a sparkling final result.
- Environmentally friendly. Kleenit uses biodegradable cleaning products and brings water to your place. Our commercial-grade hot-water pressure washing is also more efficient than garden-hose-type cold water models.
- Protect your surfaces. Professional concrete cleaning eliminates the need for abrasive cleaners, while restoring surfaces to their natural good looks. Pressure cleaning is unlikely to damage polished or coloured concrete.
- Added property value, especially for home sellers. Those looking to sell know that a well-maintained driveway can improve the street appeal and make the right impression. Having well-maintained driveways and walkways are a great selling point. It tells prospective homeowners that the home has been well cared for.
- Cost parity or even savings compared to DIY. After you buy the cleaning chemicals and PPE, hire or buy the washer, then give up your Saturday, the hours wasted on DIY pressure washing add up. Compare that time against your hourly wage – a professional will usually come out cheaper.
How to clean the most common types of concrete stains
Concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, and walkways that are neglected will inevitably wear down, with stains soaking deeper into the porous surface. Don’t put concrete cleaning off for even one more day!
Cleaning an oil concrete stain
Small spills or recent spots can sometimes be removed with nothing more than a strong detergent and light scrub.
For more substantial stains, you may be able to apply a degreaser. Be sure to trial any chemicals in an inconspicuous place to ensure it doesn’t react with the surface.
Try an oil-removing poultice, made by mixing an absorbent material (such as kitty litter) with a solvent (like acetone). Smear this on a stain, cover the poultice with plastic… then wait. It takes time, but the solvent will break down the oil, and the absorbent medium will pull much of it from the concrete.
Trisodium phosphate, or TSP, is available at most hardware stores and can be suitable for removing oil stains. Those applying need to be careful with runoff into drains as it can contribute to algal blooms in rivers and lakes.
Professional hot-water high-pressure cleaning is recommended to complement any of the above.
Another oil-stain removal method, if you have the time, is TERMINATOR-HSD eco-friendly oil stain remover for concrete and driveways. These bacteria eat the oil and release a small amount of CO2 as they reproduce. Once all the oil is gone, the bacteria die, leaving sparkling concrete. Patience is required though; reapplying weekly it will take around 4-6 weeks to thoroughly clean some stains.
Red wine concrete stain
If your patio’s taken a few drinks for itself, there’s a simple cleaning solution. You’ll need a few drops of tea tree oil, a few drops of glycerin into a litre or so of water. Use this to moisten the stain, then try scrubbing with a non-metal scourer after 30 minutes.
Crayon concrete cleaning solution
Removing crayon from concrete is simple. Usually, a spray of WD-40 followed by high-pressure hot water spray will do the trick.
Concrete cleaning for cigarette stains
A mix of washing soda (not baking soda) and water with a light scrub will lift out the yellowing that a cigarette ember can leave behind on light-coloured concrete.
Mildew stain on a concrete driveway?
Plants overhanging a driveway or patio can lead to mildew. This mildewcide recipe may help get rid of mildew on concrete. Be sure to wear adequate personal protection and old clothes when using, and avoid getting any on your plants or soil.
- Mix 1 litre of chlorine bleach with 3 litres of water.
- Add 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent.
- Apply liberally to mildew.
- Don’t let it dry; let it sit until stains turn white.
- Rinse off.
General concrete cleaning care
A pH-neutral cleaner is best for decorative concrete flooring. Avoid harsh cleaning products such as ammonia, citrus, bleach or pine cleaners because they can react with and etch the surface.
Find concrete cleaning services in Australia
Who has time for DIY concrete cleaning, when professional cleaning gets a better job without the hassle? Kleenit offers concrete cleaning in every capital city in Australia. Your local Kleenit representative can visit you for a safety-assured inspection and estimate. Or, contact our head office with a photo and measurements of the area needing attention and we’ll provide a quote online.
