How to Stain Interior Cement Floors

Interior concrete floors are becoming more widespread in modern home construction because of their durability and the ability to customize them through the use of texture and color. Staining interior concrete floors can add a feeling of warmth and a true sense of the homeowner's personality. The process for staining is not difficult but does require a modest amount of planning and preparation. A properly stained concrete floor will add beauty and years of worry-free maintenance to any home interior.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Plastic sheeting
• Painter's tape
• Boots
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Trisodium phosphate cleaner
• Plastic bucket
• Wet/dry shop vacuum
• Respirator
• Concrete stain
• Paint roller
• Paint tray
• Broom
• Baking soda
• Sealer

Instructions

1. Measure the interior walls and cut the plastic sheet into 2-foot-wide strips as long as each interior wall. Tape these strips to the lower walls in the area to be stained to protect the walls and baseboards from damage. Secure the plastic tightly at the top and bottom with the painter's tape exactly flush with the floor for the bottom border.

2. Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove any debris. Put on protective boots, gloves and glasses. Long-sleeved shirts and pants should be worn as well. Mix the trisodium phosphate cleaner, or TSP, in the plastic bucket according to the manufacturer's directions on the container. TSP is widely available at most home-improvement stores and will remove any residue that will hamper the staining process.

3. Scrub the floor with the TSP cleaner and vacuum up any excess water as you go. It is best to have a partner during this process. Rinse with clean water and, again, vacuum until all excess water is removed. Allow the floor to dry overnight.

4. Wear all protective gear, including the respirator, because concrete stain relies on a chemical reaction involving a mild acid and it can be damaging to skin and lungs. Mix the stain in the plastic bucket according to manufacturer's directions on the container.

5. Apply the stain to the floor using a paint tray and roller. A sprayer also works well. A partner is recommended for this stage as well. Work in a row from one side of the room to the other. Halfway through a row, use a broom to scrub the solution into the concrete. Reapply stain over this area to cover any broom marks. Work should be done briskly so a wet edge can be maintained. Finish the second half of the line in the same fashion: apply stain, scrub in and reapply stain to cover tracks. Go back toward the other side in a new row, applying stain so it overlaps the first row.

6. Continue applying stain row by row until the entire floor has been covered. Allow the floor to dry. This generally takes three to five hours, depending on the type of stain used. Follow manufacturer's recommendations.

7. Mix baking soda and water in the plastic bucket. Use a 1 pound box of baking soda for every 2 gallons of water. Use a mop to spread this mixture onto the floor to neutralize the acid from the stain. Vacuum up the water as you mop, again working in a row and stopping halfway through to vacuum. Avoid stepping on the areas of stained concrete that have not been neutralized. This can leave marks and footprints. Allow to dry for an hour.

8. Clean the floor once more with the baking soda/water mix. Make more solution if needed. Vacuum and let the floor fully dry overnight.

9. Apply a coat of sealer using a new paint roller and allow to dry according to the time indicated by the manufacturer. Apply a second coat and allow it to dry thoroughly.

References

• How to Stain Concrete Floors: Concrete Floors, Part 2
• DIY Network: How to Stain Concrete