This article was co-authored by Erik Bakirov. 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.
This article has been viewed 63,414 times.
Stamped concrete is easy to maintain. In general, sweeping and wet mopping with water are sufficient for regular maintenance of a stamped concrete surface. You can also mop or pressure wash the surface with a mild detergent. Make sure you avoid using harsh chemical cleaners on stamped concrete surfaces.
Things You Should Know
- Use a broom to sweep up debris.
- For a deeper clean, mop the floors with a mild detergent designed for concrete.
- Pressure wash stamped concrete if it's particularly dirty.
- Use an alkaline degreaser if you need to remove oil, grease, soot, or any other kind of sticky substance.
Steps
Doing a General Cleaning
Sweep the surface. The first step in cleaning a stamped concrete surface is removing loose dirt and grime from the surface. Use a broom to remove loose debris from the concrete. If it is an outdoor surface, you can use a leaf blower for extra assistance.
Wet mop the surface. For regular cleaning of stamped concrete surfaces, a weekly wet mopping is usually sufficient.[1] After sweeping the floor, dip a rope or foam mop into a bucket of warm water. Thoroughly mop the floor, rinsing the mop regularly. Make sure you change the mopping water when it becomes dirty.Advertisement
Try mild detergent.[2] If water is not enough to clean your stamped concrete surface, you can add a nonabrasive cleanser to your mopping water. A few drops of dish soap, laundry detergent, or other mild detergent is usually enough to create an effective cleaning solution. Avoid chemical-based cleaners as these can dull the surface.[3]Advertisement
Addressing Tough Stains
Consider pressure washing outdoor surfaces. If water and mild detergent are not effective, you can use a pressure washer to remove tough stains from a stamped concrete surface. Pressure washing can help remove tire marks, leaf stains, and grease spots. Try renting a pressure washer at your local hardware store.[4]
Try using an alkaline degreaser to remove oil, grease, or soot. An alkaline degreaser can help lift stains like oil and grease to the surface of stamped concrete. Use the degreaser with hot water. Make sure you follow all directions on the degreaser label.[5]
Use oxalic acid to remove rust. If your stamped concrete has a rust stain, you might be able to remove it using a cleaner with oxalic acid. Make sure you consult the company that installed or manufactured your stamped concrete before deciding to use oxalic acid.[6]Advertisement
Maintaining a Stamped Concrete Surface
Sweep or dry dust mop the surface weekly. Once you clean a stamped concrete surface, it is important to keep it free from dirt, leaves, and other debris that might scratch the surface. Use a broom, leaf blower, or garden hose to remove debris weekly.[7]
Reseal the surface every 2-3 years. A sealer will protect the color and sheen of your stamped concrete surface. Apply sealer to stamped concrete surfaces every 2-3 years to help block penetrating dirt, dust, and stains and protect against wear and abrasion.[8]- Talk to the contractor that initially installed the stamped concrete to find out what sealer is best for your surface.
Consider polishing high traffic areas. If you have high traffic indoor areas, you might see signs of wear on your stamped concrete surface. If this is the case, consider using a floor polish or wax on the surface for extra protection. Make sure the polish is formulated for stamped concrete.[9]
Avoid deicing salts and chemicals. Your stamped concrete surface will last longer if you avoid using harsh agents to remove snow and ice, such as salts or chemicals. These substances can dull or crack the stamped concrete surface over time.[10]Advertisement
Community Q&A
- QuestionMy stamped concrete is ruined from using the wrong color. How can I clean the color off and restore the original stamped concrete?
AkujimishraCommunity AnswerSweep or dry dust mop the surface weekly. Once you clean a stamped concrete surface, it is important to keep it free from dirt, leaves, and other debris that might scratch the surface. Use a broom, leaf blower, or garden hose to remove debris weekly. Reseal the surface every 2-3 years.
References
- ↑ Erik Bakirov. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
- ↑ Erik Bakirov. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
- ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/stamped-concrete/protect-maintain.html
- ↑ http://www.stampedconcrete.org/maintenance.html
- ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/cleaning_concrete/chemicals_help.htm
- ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/cleaning_concrete/chemicals_help.htm
- ↑ http://www.stampedconcrete.org/maintenance.html
- ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/products-sealer/buying-tips.html
- ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/stamped-concrete/protect-maintain.html
About this article
To clean stamped concrete, start by sweeping up any loose dirt and debris on it. Then, mop the concrete with plain warm water, or add a few drops of dish soap or laundry detergent if it's particularly dirty. Avoid using abrasive or chemical-based cleaners since they can dull and damage the concrete. If there are tough stains on the concrete, you may need to use a pressure washer to remove them. To learn how to maintain stamped concrete floors, scroll down!
Did this article help you?
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.
- - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
- - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
- - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
- - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.
