topic Re: Cement cleaning in Among Friends

Cement cleaning

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 15:40:39 GMT

I want to clean the sidewalk in the back yard. We do have a power washer but I am not a fan of using it.

I'd like a product that wil clean the cement with a little elbow grease, scrub brush and water.

I see ZEP makes a product for that purpose, but I would have to order it, no one has it in stock. Just thought I'd see if anyone had any luck with another product.

thanks

Re: Cement cleaning

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:06:35 GMT

I don't know how dirty your concrete is but I used Dawn and a scrub brush, that was good enough for me.

I have a dog and grass next to the patio so I didn't want any harsh chemicals leaching into the grass.

oh, and it got as clean as I could imagine, it didn't look brand new but it looked clean if that makes sense.

Re: Cement cleaning

Nancy Drew — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:08:55 GMT

How timely this subject is. We just put a pool in our new house. A year old and the rebar and tire marks have stained our drive way. Will be following.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:20:30 GMT

@Mistreatedbycs That's interesting, and I have DAWN on hand. I started on another project, but I will definetly give your suggestion a try. thanks.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mistreatedbycs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:22:28 GMT

Cleanser works too if you have Bar Keepers Friend or just basic Comet.

I just don't like all those harsh chemicals around and you know its going to get dirty again.

Re: Cement cleaning

Kachina624 — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:29:31 GMT

I've had amazing success by pouring Clorox on the cement, scrubbing with a broom (doesn't take much) and hosing it off. Doesn't harm grass or plants and breaks down fast in the sun.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:12:53 GMT

@Kachina624 My first thought was is the clorox is to harsh? ...but if you have done it multiple times with out a problem, I guess I should give it a try. I do have clorox on hand.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:30:44 GMT

@Nancy Drew ...Is the rebar coming up thru the concrete?

Re: Cement cleaning

Kitlynn — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:44:58 GMT

@Mistreatedbycs wrote:
I don't know how dirty your concrete is but I used Dawn and a scrub brush, that was good enough for me.

I have a dog and grass next to the patio so I didn't want any harsh chemicals leaching into the grass.

oh, and it got as clean as I could imagine, it didn't look brand new but it looked clean if that makes sense.

That is the same thing we use to clean our patio and sidewalks. We do have a floor scrubber but we just got it and haven't used it yet.

Re: Cement cleaning

Nancy Drew — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:49:28 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
@Nancy Drew ...Is the rebar coming up thru the concrete?

@Mom2Dogs No it is where they laid it down as storage area for building the pool.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:51:56 GMT

@Nancy Drew A friend of mine used RUSTAID on her concrete that had rust stains. You might give it a try.

Re: Cement cleaning

Nightowlz — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 18:37:56 GMT

Use Muriatic Acid. Mix 1 part water with 10 parts muriatic acid. You can Google cleaning concrete with muriatic acid to find more info.

DH has used it but not sure how much he used.

Don't Breathe it in. It's potent so you might want someone else to mix it for you.

Some use it to increase the pH in swimming pools.

Re: Cement cleaning

shaggygirl — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 19:20:27 GMT

I use a product called 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner. I get the version that's in a container you attach to a hose. It's not supposed to harm plants and such if you follow the directions. It smells sort of bleach like and will take the color out of your clothes if you get splatters on them so it might actually have bleach in it. I never bothered reading all the fine print, just know it works for me. I have an old pair of pants and a shirt I always wear for jobs like this.

It can be found at Home Depot. Have bought it there but actually have a 3 pack due for delivery here Friday ordered from Amazon. My major use for it is vinyl fencing but have used it successfully on a concrete walkway. Only drawback, a 64 oz container doesn't go too too far.

Re: Cement cleaning

HLP — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 20:02:02 GMT

@Mom2Dogs wrote:
I want to clean the sidewalk in the back yard. We do have a power washer but I am not a fan of using it.

I'd like a product that wil clean the cement with a little elbow grease, scrub brush and water.

I see ZEP makes a product for that purpose, but I would have to order it, no one has it in stock. Just thought I'd see if anyone had any luck with another product.

thanks

Last year my Son bought a scrubber, looks like a floor cleaner (rhomba} that fits on a power washer. I think he bought it at Lowes. It did a fantastic job, in no time at all. All his neighbors borrowed it. It was I think around $60.00, but can be used many times over. We were so impressed., how fast and easy it was.

Re: Cement cleaning

River Song — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 21:11:03 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
Use Muriatic Acid. Mix 1 part water with 10 parts muriatic acid. You can Google cleaning concrete with muriatic acid to find more info.
DH has used it but not sure how much he used.
Don't Breathe it in. It's potent so you might want someone else to mix it for you.
Some use it to increase the pH in swimming pools.

The correct ratio of acid to water is: 1 part acid to 10 parts water!

Muriatic acid is related to hydrochloric acid and should be handled with extreme caution and protection (gloves, goggles, and respirator).

Always add acid to water, never add water to acid. Adding water to acid will generate a vigorous exothermic reaction generating heat and possibly boiling the liquid, splashing you with acid.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mindy D — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 23:07:27 GMT

@Mom2Dogs @Kachina624 @@@I used Clorox on one of my back patios. Mostly full strength. The first couple of times it worked great but it eventually caused permanent discoloration of the cement. I'd avoid it if I were you.

Re: Cement cleaning

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 23:11:39 GMT

@Mindy D Oh boy...I wonder if it's diluted that would keep the concrete from discoloring? I'd be sick if that happened>

I have a large area under the pergola as well as a sidewalk in front of the porch and another large area for the grill and table.