How to Effectively Clean Concrete

If you use concrete in your landscaping for a flower bed border, bird bath, walkway, or in garden decor, you will see that it occasionally needs to be cleaned. Cleaning concrete not only keeps it looking great, but it can help it last a lot longer, too. So how exactly do you clean concrete? How do you know when it needs to be cleaned? Take a look below at some helpful tips on How to Effectively Clean Concrete so you can get yours sparkling like new and get the most life out of it you can.

How to Effectively Clean Concrete

First, lets talk about how to figure out if your concrete needs cleaning. There are several things you can look for to see if your concrete is up for a bath:

First, look at the color. Do you see any discoloration? Molding? Moss growth? Any color changes or a change in the topical texture of the concrete can indicate that dirt, debris, grime, and even foliage have set in and are starting to take over.
Now, touch the concrete. You want to feel the concrete to see if grime or growth is starting to build up on it. The concrete may feel slimy, or exceptionally rough. It may feel fuzzy, or it may feel gritty.

If you answered yes to these questions, then it is time to get scrubbing. Let’s talk about how you can get the job done!

How to Clean Concrete:

1. First, you want to loosen up any debris. A wire brush can help you get in all of the nooks and crannies to loosen up dirt and debris. Just gently scrub and loosen the debris, which you can then just wipe away with your hand. Small planters and statues can be scrubbed down with a coarse brush. Gently make your way around the item moving in multiple directions. There is no need to wet the concrete just yet. Continue to scrub any dried debris and loosen it up. For exceptionally detailed statues, yard art, or flower pots, you can use an air tool to blow air in and loosen debris. A keyboard cleaner or similar air tool is perfect for this job.

2. Once debris is loosened, you can apply a cleaning product. May people like using bleach on concrete because it kills organisms that might be living on it. If this isn’t a concern for you, you can use any outdoor cleaning that is suitable for patio furniture, decks, and other outdoor accessories. Apply and continue to scrub.

3. Use a high powered sprayer or hose to rinse any debris and cleaner away. Allow the concrete to dry so you can see if there are still areas that need attention. Now is the time to address those areas again to see if round two does the trick. Scrub, rinse, and repeat if necessary.

4. Use a power washer for large jobs. Patios and driveways may benefit from the use of a power washer. A power washer can cover a large patch at a time and make less work for you. Always test a small area to see how the power washer will affect it, then do a small patch at a time completely finishing one patch before moving on to another.

It is always wise to test a small patch on any concrete you are cleaning prior to covering the piece with any type of cleanser or before using any specific products. This will help you avoid damage (rare, but it happens) to the concrete. It is always wise to allow it to dry well before applying any second treatments, as dry concrete is the best way to see the condition.

When taking care of your yard, don’t forget to pay attention to your concrete too! Give these tips for cleaning concrete a try and see how they work for you.