How to Clean Concrete Countertops

Co-authored by Erik Bakirov

Last Updated: October 23, 2022 References

Concrete countertops are increasingly popular as they can give a kitchen or bathroom a clean, modern appearance. However, you have to be careful when cleaning natural stone surfaces. To keep your concrete countertops looking good, start by selecting a gentle, non-acidic cleaner. Apply this cleaner with controlled wiping motions and rinse the surface off with water when done. Add an extra coat of wax or sealant for even more protection.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Routine Cleaning

1
Consult your manufacturer’s guide or contractor. If you installed your countertops yourself, then keep a photo of the concrete mix and surface coating so that you can consult it for reference. If you had a contractor install everything, then they more than likely gave you instructions post-installation. If not, go ahead and call them prior to your first cleaning with any immediate questions.^{[1]
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- Be aware that cleaning your countertops with solutions or methods outside of the approved ones may result in your warranty being voided.
2
Use pH wipes. These are wipes that are sold in hardware, and sometimes grocery stores. They come pre-moistened and are designed to be gentle on natural stone surfaces. One benefit of these wipes is that they are so gentle that you can use them to wipe down your countertops on an everyday basis without sustaining any damage.^{[2]
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- They may also be sold under the label “pH-neutral wipes” or just “stone countertop wipes.”^{[3]
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- You can also simply dust your countertops with a dry cloth.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Erik Bakirov
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.}
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Scrub with a dish soap solution. In a bowl or bucket, mix a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid into warm water. You can then dip a soft cloth or sponge into this mixture and use it to wipe down your countertops. Wring it out so that the cloth or sponge is damp, not soaking wet, before wiping^{[5]
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Expert Source

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.}
- This is a mild method that can work for both sealed and unsealed types of concrete countertops. This is a great way to clean prior to putting on a new coat of sealant.^{[6]
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- Be very careful using heavily textured scrubbing pads as they may leave scratches and marks behind.^{[7]
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4
Polish in small circles. As you wipe down or polish your countertop, keep your movements smooth and even. Rub in a circular motion, applying firm but not overly hard pressure. As you remove stains, rewet your cloth or sponge and continue scrubbing gently.^{[8]
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5
Do a final water rinse. When you’ve finished with a general wipe down and you’ve removed all set-in stains, then get a fresh cloth. Dip this cloth in water and rub down the countertop once more. You are trying to remove any sediment or residue left behind by the cleaner.
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Let it air dry. After your water wash-down, let the countertops dry naturally. If you want to speed the process along, you can wipe them down with a microfiber cloth, just be careful not to leave dust or fibers behind. You’ll want the countertop dry before you try to apply wax or sealer.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

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Spot treat with cotton balls. On a regular basis, and before you do a general cleaning, glance over your countertops looking for stand-out stains and discoloration. Soak a cotton ball in the cleaning solution of your choice and place the ball on top of the stain. You can place a glass on top to weigh it down against the stain. Remove in 5-10 minutes and check the status of the stain. Repeat as necessary.^{[10]
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- Oil stains, in particular, can be tough to remove and may respond better to a paste or cleaning poultice.
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Use laundry cleaners. Get out a bottle of laundry stain remover and gently spray it directly onto any spots or problem areas. Let the remover soak in for a few minutes. Then, wipe down with damp cloth. Or, you could follow up by sprinkling a bit of laundry detergent on top of the lingering stain. Gently scrub this mixture into the countertop until you see the stain lifting.^{[11]
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3
Apply a hydrogen peroxide paste. Get a medium bowl or bucket and mix together one cup (240 mL) of flour, one to two tablespoons (15-30 mL) of hydrogen peroxide, and enough tablespoons of water to form a thick paste. Get a rag, scoop up some paste, and place it onto the countertop. Concentrate on lumping it over stains, in particular. Wipe off the paste with a wet cloth while gentle rubbing the surface.^{[12]
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- For particularly stubborn stains, you can cover that area with plastic wrap and let it sit for a few hours before removing it.^{[13]
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- The paste should have a peanut butter like consistency.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Them Clean

1
Get them sealed in advance. Some people prefer to leave their concrete countertops natural and without sealant. This is fine, but it makes the surface more susceptible to scratching and staining. If you’d like to avoid this, you can purchase a concrete sealing kit at your local hardware store or ask your contractor to add it on. This will make your countertops last longer.^{[14]
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- Make sure to follow all of the application directions carefully and only use a food-grade sealer.^{[15]
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2
Remove all stains ASAP. Prevention is the best way to minimize deep cleaning. If you see a stain developing, tackle it immediately by applying a targeted dose of cleaning solution to that area. You can also just keep a few towels nearby and make a habit of wiping down your countertop every time after cooking.^{[16]
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- Be aware that you can also scratch concrete by cutting on top of it. Make sure to use a cutting board.^{[17]
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Deal with acid damage and etching. This is a bit different from a stain. Etching occurs when acidic substances, such as lemon juice, actually eat through a part of your sealer and reach the concrete underneath. To prevent this from happening, you may need to polish out the spot with a low grit diamond wiping pad and then reapply sealer as directed on the package.^{[18]
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- Etching often appears in the form of white spots.^{[19]
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Wax regularly. On a monthly basis, and after a deep cleaning, apply a coating of wax to your countertops. You can buy concrete-safe wax at the hardware store. This wax will help your counter to resist spotting and staining. It will also leave it with a nice shiny surface.^{[20]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you maintain a concrete countertop?

Erik Bakirov
Cleaning Specialist
Erik Bakirov is a Cleaning Specialist at Room413 Cleaning in Los Angeles, California. Erik specializes in deep, move-in, and move-out cleaning services. Room413 matches homeowners with reliable and trustworthy cleaning services. They also promote environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Erik Bakirov

Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

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Dust it every day. Then, once a week o so, clean it by wetting a rag, then put a little dish soap on the cloth and just wipe the counter down.

Warnings

You might want to place a dish towel to the side of the oven to cover the counter when cooking. This will help you to avoid oil stains on the countertops.^{[22]
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Do not place hot pans on the surface of your countertop as the heat could damage the sealant and create spotting.^{[23]
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