What to clean concrete slabs with? A guide

Why is it worth taking care of concrete slabs?

Dirt on concrete slabs

Concrete slabs are exposed to various types of dirt. Those used outdoors are affected by weather conditions: various stains, streaks, decayed leaves, and discoloration can appear. If cars are driven or parked on the slabs, they’ll also be exposed to various leaks from vehicles. Especially during autumn and winter, the concrete surface will be particularly prone to getting dirty.

Cleaning concrete slabs — starting with sweeping

Whether we’re talking about concrete slabs on a driveway or a concrete terrace, you should start by thoroughly cleaning the surface. If there’s debris on it such as branches, leaves, or stones, it needs to be removed. Sweeping the surface works best, allowing you to remove all dry debris. If the concrete surface is made up of smaller elements, you’ll also need to properly clean the joints between the slabs. Before washing the concrete surface, remember to remove moss and weeds if they’ve appeared between the slabs. It’s best to remove them mechanically, and then apply a weed killer in those spots to make sure they don’t grow back.

Cleaning a concrete terrace — what equipment should you reach for?

After removing dry debris from a concrete terrace or driveway, you can move on to thorough cleaning, which will allow you to remove stains and discoloration. For this purpose, it’s worth using a garden hose and a pressure washer. You can start cleaning with just water. The concrete slabs can be rinsed with a garden hose, then washed with a pressure washer from a distance of a dozen or so centimeters. Many types of dirt can be removed this way, including leftover leaves from autumn. These, however, may leave stains behind, so in this situation you may need to use a detergent for extra support.

Which chemical cleaning products should you choose for concrete slabs?

If cleaning with water alone doesn’t produce results and you need to use detergents, you should check what products are available on the market. You can choose a universal cleaning liquid, or opt for special concrete cleaning products. Such products are meant to guarantee high effectiveness for mechanical cleaning. The choice of the right product depends on the type of dirt. It’s also good practice to check with the slab manufacturer for information. Manufacturers of concrete slabs often recommend dedicated cleaning and impregnation products. When buying such liquids, it’s worth checking their composition. You should avoid those containing bleaching agents, ammonia, or abrasive substances. The chemical product must not react with the concrete, as this would lead to its damage. After applying the cleaning product, the concrete slabs should be washed again with a pressure washer, using water. Among the available products, there are also some that have an additional disinfecting effect. This is an interesting solution that allows you to disinfect the concrete surface at the same time as cleaning it. Parents of small children will undoubtedly appreciate this option.

Removing stubborn stains — cleaning concrete slabs

If the concrete slabs intended for cleaning aren’t yet part of a permanent installation, but are meant to become part of a driveway, they’ll need to be arranged beforehand to allow for washing. This is where Catchshift comes in, offering a vacuum lifter that makes moving concrete slabs hassle-free.

Maintaining cleaned concrete

Concrete is a durable material, but exposure to weather conditions means it requires proper care. That’s why, after cleaning concrete surfaces, it’s worth using special impregnating agents. Thanks to them, the slabs will be protected, with a hydrophobic coating forming on their surface. During subsequent rainfall, the slabs will dry faster and won’t develop new stains.

Use our tips and take care of your concrete surface