With spring cleaning in the air, you may see that it’s time for a good garage floor cleaning. This is important to do occasionally to maintain air quality, treat stains, deal with mold, and make your home feel cleaner overall.
Not sure where to start? Here are 5 steps to ensure you get the cleanest garage.
Step 1: Clear the Space
Before you clean any area, it’s a good idea to fully clear away any clutter so you can have an open space and better clean all the dirt. This is a good opportunity to declutter and purge items that you don’t regularly use. Garages tend to be neglected places, resulting in boxes or piles of clutter that go overlooked and collect dust.
Prior to giving your garage a good clean, take everything out of the space and be selective about what you choose to return to the garage. This will help you stay organized and tidy, making for the most effective garage floor cleaning.
Step 2: Sweep Thoroughly
Dust and dirt accumulate in garages easily, getting tracked in from shoes, car tires, and wind. Garages can get really dirty, so make sure you use a sturdy broom to remove as much of the debris as possible. Pay attention to corners of the garage, as these can be places where debris like leaves can collect.
For the best garage floor cleaning, sweep the grime and dirt away from your home and out toward the driveway. This will help increase the effectiveness of the cleaning process and make the results last longer.
Step 3: Treat Stains
Concrete garage floors can collect a lot of stains from spills and leakage if they don’t have a coating. Pay attention to any unsightly stains on your floor and treat them accordingly. Here are general rules of thumb to use when removing tough garage stains:
- Paint or Unknown Stains: Use a combination of baking soda and water with a stiff brush, or a concrete cleaner. This will help remove most stains.
- Oil or Grease: If it’s a fresh spill, sprinkle cat litter or some other commercial absorbent over the spill. Then let it sit for a few hours, sweep it away, and use a degreaser.
- Rust: Use a concrete-safe rust remover and follow instructions carefully.
Step 4: Scrub & Rinse
A good deep scrub never hurt anyone. After you’ve removed your belongings and the top layer of dirt, you’ll need to give it a good wash with a concrete-safe cleaner and water for the best garage floor cleaning. You can either use water from a bucket or a garden sprayer if you have one nearby.
Use a stiff-bristled brush to truly remove the tougher grime and work in small sections. Once you have worked your way around the garage, rinse the area thoroughly or use a pressure washer for the best clean. To ensure your home stays safe during this garage floor cleaning, move away from your house as you clean so no water gets trapped.
Step 5: Let Dry Completely
This step is crucial before you begin moving everything back into your garage. Starting to reload everything before the concrete has had time to dry can lead to mold or water stains. Especially if you are planning on adding a garage floor coating, sealing, or coating, a complete drying process is necessary since moisture can ruin adhesion.
Dry time will depend on airflow and temperatures. If you are doing your garage floor cleaning in the warmer months, likely you won’t have to wait as long. For a faster drying time, you may want to open doors and keep fans blowing to help speed up the process. The estimated time is between 24-48 hours.
Bonus: Consider a Garage Floor Coating
Garage floor cleaning can be a hassle when the flooring is just concrete. Stains can develop much more easily and you have to keep an eye out for cracking in the concrete. For a future, easier clean, consider getting a garage floor coating.
These are often made with a resinous material, like polyaspartic or epoxy, which are resistant to stains, cracking, and moisture. This means cleaning less frequently for you and polished results that last longer. Some other benefits to professional garage coating installation are:
- Easy to clean: Dirt and spills wipe right off
- Highly durable: Resistant to chemicals, abrasions, and UV rays
- Long-lasting: Won’t peel or flake like DIY epoxy kits
- Customizable: Choose colors and finishes that match your style
If you’re looking for a stylish upgrade for your garage or just a way to make cleaning easier, reach out to the Garage Floor Masters for a garage floor coating. Customers not only report the improved look they gained from the installation, but also how much easier it made garage floor cleaning. Reach out to us to schedule an appointment today!
