Removing Stains from Garage Floors
If the stain is fresh, you can usually remove it with dish soap, water, a nylon scrub brush and an old towel. Never use a brush with wire bristles as it will leave little pieces of metal behind which will rust over time, causing an even larger stain. You can use cat litter in place of an old towel to pick up the water and oil after the stain has been removed. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of scrubbing, many hardware stores have oil removal products available.
For things such as mildew and algae, it’s best to treat the stains as soon as possible to avoid deep staining the concrete. When treating these stains, you will need a power washer, hot water, and oxygenated bleach or a deck-whitening agent.
To treat berry stains, do not use soap as this will cause it to set. For stains caused by fruit juices use hydrogen peroxide and flour to make a thick paste the consistency of peanut butter. Apply the mixture to the stain in a layer approximately ¼” thick and cover with plastic wrap. Tape the plastic wrap into place securely and allow it to sit until completely dry, usually about 24 to 48 hours. If you have a large stain you may want to consider purchasing a commercial product.
Finally, never use chlorine bleach for rust stains as it sets the stain, making it nearly impossible to remove. You should purchase a commercial product that contains oxalic acid and use rubber gloves, eye protection, warm water and a nylon scrub brush –preferably a long-handled one. Apply the product according to the directions, taking great care to keep it from touching bare skin.
Often, your local hardware store can give you additional pointers for removing specific types of stains from your garage floor.
