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Cleaning Stained Concrete
Choosing a Cleaner
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There are many ways to clean a stain from concrete. Each stain will present its own challenges. From oil stains to blood stains, mold to paint, each and every one should be taken on with a different cleaner. For basic stains like dirt, light grease or water stains you can use laundry detergents. Just spread them over the stained area and scrub vigorously with an upright scrubber and water until the stain is removed.
More Difficult Stains
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Some stains won't come clean with regular household cleaners. These can include biological stains, water stains and paints. For biological stains and some water stains, bleach mixed with water is a good choice. Just spread this over the stain and let it penetrate for only a few seconds and then scrub with a brush. If this doesn't work an industrial concrete cleaner might be a better option.
Industrial Concrete Stain Removers
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These concrete cleaners use an acid to remove and dissolve the stain. They can leave a "scar" on the concrete which is better than looking at a stain, but it does not always provide the best solution. These cleaners are available at any home or hardware store and can be applied right to stain in your home. Another method is to use trisodium phosphate. Add this to water and apply it to the stain, then scrub. It should remove most tough stains.
Oil Removal
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Oil stains are common in garages and driveways made of concrete. You can remove them completely by soaking up the oil, in essence transferring it to another product. Baking soda, sand and kitty litter are three options. Spread them over the stain and allow plenty of time for the oil to leech into them, and then remove them. This process will need to be repeated several times to completely remove the stain.
eHow Article: Cleaning Stained Concrete
