The Best Way to Clean Concrete and Industrial Shop Floors

Co-authored by Filip Boksa and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: August 25, 2021 References

If your shop floor is looking a little dingy or stained, it might be time for a deep clean. Cleaning a shop floor is a little different from cleaning a floor in your home, and you might have to deal with tougher stains and marks. We’ve answered some of your most common questions so you can make your shop floor look as good as new.

Question 1 of 6:

What is the best cleaner for a concrete shop floor?

A mixture of laundry detergent and water is the most effective solution. Believe it or not, the soap you use to wash your clothes is perfect for washing concrete. It’s not too harsh, so it won’t stain your floors, and it smells good, too. Fill a bucket up with warm water and add a few capfuls of laundry detergent for the best (and cheapest) cleaning solution.^{[1]
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- You can also add 1 cup (240 ml) of vinegar to the mixture for extra cleaning power, if you'd like.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Filip Boksa
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.}
- Remember to always start by giving your shop floor a good sweeping before you mop.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Filip Boksa
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.}

Question 2 of 6:

What’s the best way to clean stains on a concrete shop floor?

1
Pour the water-detergent mixture directly on stains and marks. Sweep or vacuum the floor first to get rid of any large debris. Focus your soap mixture on any spots that are super stained. Start on one end of your shop and work your way across.^{[4]
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2
Scrub the stains with a nylon brush until they disappear. Stay away from wire brushes, as they can scratch your concrete floor. Use a nylon scrubber brush to scrub any areas that are stained.^{[5]
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3
Rinse the areas with water and a mop to remove any residue. Go over your shop floor one more time, this time with a bucket of clean water. Use a mop to make it easier, then open all the doors and windows to let your shop floor air dry.^{[6]
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Question 3 of 6:

Can you clean a shop floor with vinegar?

Yes, you can, and it's particularly great at removing rust stains. If you notice rust marks on your shop floor, pour undiluted white vinegar all over the stain and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Use a bristle brush to scrub at the stain, the wipe the vinegar up with water.^{[7]
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Question 4 of 6:

How do you remove mold/mildew from a concrete shop floor?

1
Mix mold-killing detergent and water to make a cleaning solution. Fill up a bucket with warm water and add a few capfuls of mold-killing detergent (the bottle will say “works against mold” or something similar). Stir the mixture up until you see a few suds in your bucket.^{[8]
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Apply the solution to the affected area and let it sit for 5 minutes. Pour your mold-killing mixture onto the shop floor, focusing on any areas that are moldy or mildewy. Let it sit for a few minutes to kill the mold before you start scrubbing.^{[9]
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Scrub the area with a nylon brush and rinse it with clean water. Go in small, circular motions to scrub the mold out of the floor. Spend a few minutes wiping down the stained area to get rid of mold or mildew, then pour clean water over the area. Wipe up the excess water with a mop and let the floor air dry.^{[10]
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Question 5 of 6:

How do you remove oil marks from a concrete shop floor?

1
Pour kitty litter over the oil stain to absorb excess oil. Grab a bag of clay or clumping cat litter and sprinkle it over the entire stain. Use a stiff broom or a nylon brush to work it into the concrete, but don’t wipe it up just yet.^{[11]
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Let the litter sit for at least 1 hour before sweeping it up. The longer you leave the litter on the stain, the better. Once the kitty litter has soaked up the oil, simply sweep it into the garbage with a stiff broom.^{[12]
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3
Spray degreaser on tough stains, wait 1 hour, and scrub the spots. If you still see some slight staining on your concrete, pick up a bottle of heavy duty degreaser from the hardware store. Pour it onto the stained area, then let it sit for about an hour. Use a nylon brush to scrub the degreaser away and remove the stain.^{[13]
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Question 6 of 6:

How do you get rid of tough stains on a concrete shop floor?

1
Mix 1 cup (128 g) of TSP with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of hot water to make a cleaner. Put on rubber gloves and goggles to protect your skin and eyes. Go carefully, and try not to splash your mixture too much. Stir the TSP into the water with a stick until it’s fully absorbed.^{[14]
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Pour the cleaner over the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes. The chemical will work to break up the stains in the concrete on your floor.^{[15]
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Scrub the area with a nylon brush and rinse the floor with water. Go in small, circular motions all over the stain to remove it. When you’re done, flush the floor with clean water and let it air dry.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

Question

What can I use to clean my garage floor?

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Filip Boksa is the CEO and Founder of King of Maids, a U.S. based home cleaning service that helps clients with cleaning and organization.

Filip Boksa

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

If you have one, use a blade mop, since it will hold less bacteria than a string mop.

Warnings

If you’re going to use a harsh cleaner like TSP, make sure you read the manufacturer’s label and follow all safety recommendations.^{[18]
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