The Key to a Clean Concrete Driveway {November 2020} >> Learn how to clean the deep stains, grime, and grease from concrete for a neat and clean driveway.

Protecting your concrete driveway from oil stains, tire marks, and mold is essential for a beautiful curb appeal. Stains, dirt, and skid marks are bound to happen on your driveway, but there is a way to clean it. 

Moreover, keeping your driveway clean is not just about its appearance; cleaning it can also prevent wear and tear in the future. So, if you’re looking to find out how to restore your driveway to its original beauty, here are a few tips and tricks to clean your concrete driveway. Benefits of using San Marco Antica Calce Elite

1. Regular Maintenance

When it comes to caring for your concrete driveway, it is vital to be proactive rather than cleaning up dirt after it has built up. The reason behind this is because concrete itself is a textured and porous surface.

So, when the surface comes in contact with dirt and liquids, it tends to get stuck or is absorbed in the concrete. That is why the cleaning process of concrete is different than that of other surfaces.

To avoid deep and difficult stains on the concrete, regularly cleaning the area is essential. That includes sweeping away debris, such as leaves, which can stain the concrete as it decomposes. Washing the driveway is also necessary to prevent any deep stains from settling in; that said, be mindful and use water-saving products to clean your driveway.

2. Power Washers

A power washer is a water spray that uses high pressure to clean surfaces such as concrete. This is an excellent option because other options such as wiping, washing, and rubbing off dirt do not entirely work due to the texture of concrete and its ability to absorb stains.

In contrast, a Pressure Washer can force dirt and grime out of the nooks and crannies of concrete. These are very powerful washers that can do various jobs due to their versatile nature. Check out the website of Pressure Washer Lab to find a range or pressure washers to pick your required one.

First, you will need to prep the concrete with the degreaser or cleaner of your choice. This will help loosen up dirt, making it a lot easier for the pressure washer to clean the surface.

Second, your power cleaner’s pressure rating needs to be 3000 psi with 4 gallons per minute. This setting is optimum for concrete surfaces, though it might change with older, fragile concrete.

Moreover, the flow rate depends on how fast you want to clean the surface; usually, 5 GPM is recommended for everyday use. You can switch between the standard and rotary nozzle, depending on the kind of pressure you need while cleaning.

3. Absorbing Liquids

When you notice a spill or an oil leak, you need to find a way to get rid of the liquid as soon as possible as the concrete absorbs the substance, creating an unsightly stain. To absorb substances, you can use a strong alkaline soap that cleans grease effectively.

If you notice a fresh spill on the driveway, you don’t have to rush to a shop for cleaners. You can get rid of it with, surprisingly, a few items lying around your house. Absorb the liquid with a bit of kitty litter or sawdust. This helps soak up the substance, preventing it from settling too deep in the concrete.

Alternately, if you are still looking to buy something that helps you with the fresh stains, you can always opt for a powdered spill absorber.

4. Sealing the Concrete

The nature of concrete is an important reason why you should never skip on sealing your concrete driveway. Concrete sealers protect your driveway from surface damage and preserve its color. This might not help you clean the driveway after a mess is made; however, it is a great proactive measure to keep your driveway looking spotless.

5. A Little Elbow Grease

You need to handle some stains with elbow greases, such as rust stains or paint. If you are dealing with paint stains, apply a bit of paint stripper on the stained area. The paint stripper helps the stain loosen up, so you do not have to work too hard while brushing. After it has absorbed the stripper for a bit, scrub the stain with a firm brush until it is gone.

On the other hand, if you are dealing with a rust stain, apply a concrete cleaner and let it sit for a while. You can later brush the stain off, wipe it with cloths, or use a pressure washer to wash the surface down.

6. TSP Cleaner

If you are well acquainted with home improvement work, then you must know about the magic of TSP, also known as Trisodium Phosphate. It is a cleaner used on surfaces such as concrete because of how strong it is.

However, whenever using this, you must be careful to keep it out of contact with your skin and the surrounding plants as it might cause irritation and could kill the plants.

To use Trisodium Phosphate to clean the driveway, your first need to clean the area of any debris. Dissolve at least one-fourth cup of the substance in one gallon of warm water, but you can use up to a half cup of TSP if the driveway is particularly dirty.

Make sure when you use it, you are using a long utensil to mix it to avoid the solution getting on your hands. Furthermore, be sure to wear gloves and other protective gear while using it.

After mixing it, apply the solution to the driveway and start to scrub away at the dirt. After you are done, be sure to wash down the driveway with clean water and let it air dry.

One drawback of this method is that it is a bit time consuming to its alternatives like the pressure washer. However, it is still effective.

Final Thoughts 

Having a clean driveway is more than just washing it down, as you have seen from these tips and tricks. Moreover, after cleaning years of grime and stains from your driveway, you will be able to see the drastic difference it leaves on the look of your house!