Updated on May 13, 2024 4:21 PM EDT
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Concrete is porous and tends to soak up substances like oil, mold, mildew, and grease, and once they penetrate deep into the surface, they’re especially difficult to dislodge without a concrete cleaner. Choosing the right concrete cleaning method is key—as is using the right cleaner for the job.
The best concrete cleaners, both liquid and dry, attack stains deep below the surface. However, the variety of materials that cause concrete stains requires matching the cleaner to the type of stain. Read on for some of the best concrete cleaners that we thoroughly researched and/or tested as well as some considerations to keep in mind as you shop.
We researched and/or tested the most sought-after concrete cleaners in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by the type of stains they can resolve, cleaner type, compatibility with multiple surfaces, form, working time, and other special features included by top brands.
To satisfy a range of preferences, we included liquid and dry options that have pH neutral, alkaline, peroxide, microbe, sodium hypochlorite, and water-based formulas to tackle a variety of stains and surfaces. Though each cleaner is formulated for specific stains, many of these concrete floor cleaners work on oil, dirt, mold, mildew, grime, moss, algae, and grease stains immediately or within a few weeks.
While these cleaners are more than capable of cleaning concrete, many are also capable of being used on stone, wood, composite, metals, brick, fabric, and many more. For added convenience, some of these cleaners do not need to be scrubbed to work effectively, while others may require a power washer, sponge, or mop. Finally, some of these top products are recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safer Choice Program certified.
Before contacting garage cleaning services, take a look at the concrete cleaning products listed below. These are considered among the most effective cleaners to combat the toughest stains, including oil stains on the driveway, garage floor paint, and foundation mildew. Each of our tested or thoroughly researched concrete cleaners comes with a vetted list of pros and cons as well as a summary of its most notable features.
Zep Neutral pH floor cleaner concentrate is a great choice for sealed concrete floors as well as marble, granite, vinyl, and stone (do not use it on wood floors). The neutral pH formula helps maintain the floor’s polish without stripping the protective coat. It cleans and restores shine without rinsing.
This concentrated formula makes up to 128 gallons of cleaning solution, saving on storage space. Zep recommends using a microfiber mop with this product instead of a traditional string mop for improved maneuverability and more efficient cleaning without leaving a residue.
Get the Zep concrete cleaner at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
The active ingredient in Sunnyside TSP all-purpose cleaner is trisodium phosphate, a powerful alkaline cleaner, degreaser, and paint remover that is safe for concrete surfaces. It’s about one-third the cost of many other cleaners, yet effective at removing dirt, grease, mildew, and soap scum from a wide range of soiled surfaces. It’s also a solid choice to prep concrete surfaces for paint.
Mix between ¼ and ½ cup of this powdered concentrate with a gallon of hot water for a powerful cleaning solution. TSP is best used for indoor cleaning of basement and garage areas, as the high phosphate content is problematic if it leaks into streams and other water sources. Use caution and protection when mixing and using this all-purpose cleaner, as TSP is highly alkaline and capable of causing severe skin irritation or burns.
Get the Sunnyside concrete cleaner at Amazon.
ACT concrete cleaner effectively releases oil, antifreeze, gum, animal waste, mold, and grease stains from concrete, pavers, wood, soil, plastic, and other surfaces without scrubbing. It uses the same effective processes employed by the oil and gas industry and commercial warehouses to break down and bioremediate petroleum hydrocarbons as well as proteins (it does not remove paint). Stain materials are converted to water and carbon dioxide.
Simply apply this USDA-certified dry cleaner to the stained surface, work it into the stain with a broom or scrub brush, and let it sit; you should see full results in three to four weeks. This product is environmentally friendly and safe for use around people, animals, and plants.
Get the ACT concrete cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot or Walmart.
Use Simple Green Oxy Solve outdoor cleaner before pressure-washing as a pretreatment to weaken the bond of stains to concrete, or use it in the pressure washer’s cleaning solution reservoir for one-step cleaning. This cleaner employs the power of peroxide to deep clean dirt, grime, mold, mildew, moss, and algae stains.
This biodegradable concrete cleaner for pressure-washing meets the criteria of the EPA’s Safer Choice Program, and it’s safe for use around pets, landscape plants, and wildlife. It is suitable for concrete and other materials including wood, composite, vinyl, metal, fabric, plastic, wicker, stone, brick, and asphalt. Use it on driveways, foundations, siding, and more.
Get the Simple Green concrete cleaner at Amazon.
Eximo concrete cleaner uses microbes to break down hydrocarbon chains in oil to lift away concrete stains caused by gas, diesel, oil, grease, petroleum-based materials, and more. It is a powerful, eco-friendly, natural, waterless cleaner that is highly effective against stains but completely safe for surrounding landscape plants and grass as well as people and pets. It is suitable for wet or dry parking areas, sidewalks, concrete patios and stairs, pavers, and other similar surfaces.
Apply by working the dry or wetted product into the stain with a broom, and leave it on the surface; no need to sweep it up or wash it off. Apply weekly for four weeks for complete stain removal. Living microbes in the cleaner follow stains and spills deep below the surface, consuming petroleum through tiny crevices in the concrete and even into the subsoil below.
Get the CAF concrete cleaner at Amazon or Walmart.
Oil Eater cleaner/degreaser is formulated to safely dissolve grease and oil on most surfaces. It is nonacidic, noncorrosive, nonhazardous, contains no abrasives or petroleum solvents, and is USDA-approved for nonfood surfaces. The water-based and biodegradable product is concentrated, so follow the dilution chart on the label to use it as a light, medium, or heavy-duty degreaser.
In addition to removing oil stains and grease on concrete, it can be used on household floors, carpets, tubs and tile, grills, decks, stoves, boat hulls, tires, siding, asphalt, and many other surfaces. What our tester says: Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila product tester and writer, notes in The Best Deck Cleaners that “choosing an in-between ratio of 1:5, I mixed it up in a bucket and brushed it on my test board with a nylon-bristle brush. After a few minutes, I rinsed the board—both the mud and the grease stain was gone.”
Get the Oil Eater concrete cleaner at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., The Home Depot, or Walmart.
RMR-86 Pro Instant mold and mildew stain remover is a fast-acting solution that utilizes deep penetrating surfactants with a unique blend of pure sodium hypochlorite to remove stubborn stains. Surfactants loosen the bond between the soil and the concrete’s surface, while the powerful bleaching properties of sodium hypochlorite kill mold and mildew on contact.
This is a professional-grade cleaner that comes as a ready-to-use concrete stain remover and is powerful enough to dissolve mold and mildew stains in seconds without scrubbing. It is safe for use on concrete, wood, brick, plywood, drywall, and other areas where mold and mildew grow.
Get the RMR-86 concrete cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot (2.5 gallons), or Walmart.
Basements, garages, and driveways are prone to being near moisture, which is a great place for mold and mildew to grow. For removing this pesky buildup, trust the Wet & Forget stain remover. This versatile and effective cleaner is safe to use on concrete, vinyl, wood, canvas, aluminum, and even upholstery. The brand states that green stains will take 1 to 2 weeks to clear up, black or stubborn stains take a few months, and long-settled stains may take 6 to 12 months to fade.
The 1-gallon jug can produce enough cleaner for over 2,250 square feet, and the formula is made without the use of bleach or other acidic ingredients. To use, simply dilute at a 1:5 ratio with clean water in a garden sprayer. Be advised that this should be applied at least 4 to 5 hours before any expected rainfall.
What our tester says: Glenda Taylor, Bob Vila product tester and writer, notes in our tested guide, “I waited until a bright morning with no rain forecast and sprayed the foundation thoroughly with Wet & Forget, following the instructions to let the solution soak in for up to 5 hours. Later that afternoon I returned and found the previously mold-darkened areas to look light and powdery. I used a stiff dry brush to remove the powder, and the concrete blocks beneath looked clean, with no dark or stained areas. To be sure, I went back a few days later, after it had rained, and the foundation was still free of mold.”
Get the Wet & Forget concrete cleaner at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, or Walmart.
Aunt Fannie’s vinegar floor cleaner is one of the most versatile cleaners on the market, capable of cleaning concrete floors as well as hardwood, tile, bamboo, vinyl, laminate, stone, or linoleum. This 32-ounce bottle can create over 16 gallons of concrete cleaning solution and can be used with a mop and bucket, in a spray bottle, or in a floor-cleaning machine.
This option comes in multiple sizes and scent options, which a lot of concrete cleaners do not provide. The hypoallergenic, commercial-grade, and EWG A-Rated cleaner is also made with plant-based ingredients like white vinegar, which makes it safe for homes with children and pets or areas that are close to wildlife.
What our tester says: Katie Barton, a Bob Vila product tester, notes in The Best Kitchen Cleaners that “we filled our mop’s tank with the diluted solution and squirted just enough cleaner to damp mop our hardwoods. When finished, our floors were clean and streak-free. Since this product is kid-safe, we allowed our older kids to use it on their bathroom floors. In every instance—whether on hardwoods, ceramic tile, or linoleum—Aunt Fannie’s floor wash lifted dirt and dried without leaving a hazy residue.”
Get the Aunt Fannie’s concrete cleaner at Amazon.
With many cleaners to choose from, you may wish to understand how they work to remove different types of stains on concrete. Read on to find out how stains are classified, which cleaners work on the different kinds of stains, and other useful tips that can help you choose the best concrete cleaner for your project.
Biological stains are caused by living organisms such as mold, moss, and algae. They often appear as green streaks, film, or cushiony growth over a broad area on concrete surfaces that stay damp. This can be a recurring problem in humid areas, so it’s helpful to have a fast-acting, long-lasting solution. Home remedies like scrubbing with bleach or white vinegar are commonly recommended, but commercial cleaners do the job faster, more thoroughly, and can help prevent regrowth.
Spills and leaks of hydrocarbons (petroleum products like motor oil), cleaners, paint, and solvents also cause unsightly concrete stains. These products penetrate the porous surface of the concrete causing discoloration, and in some cases chemical reactions that may physically degrade the concrete surface.
Be sure to choose a cleaner that is recommended for use on the particular spilled product: Enzyme cleaners can neutralize many volatile compounds, eliminating their negative environmental impact, and absorbent cleaners pull the spilled product out of the worn or porous concrete.
In choosing an appropriate concrete cleaner, be aware that different cleaners act in different ways to banish stains, and they also react differently to the concrete surface. Cleaners may use pH neutral, alkaline, or acidic formulas to chemically lift stains. Concrete is made with lime, which is alkaline, so the surface must be neutralized after using acid cleaner. Enzyme and bacteria-based cleaners use biochemical reactions to digest or degrade chemical pollutants into inert substances.
Concrete cleaners come in either liquid or dry applications. Most liquid concrete cleaners are for biological or mineral stain removal. They are typically chemical-based cleaners, although some may be enzyme-based. Ready-to-use formulations are fast and convenient, while concentrates, which must be diluted with water before use, are often more economical.
Dry concrete cleaners are made to separate hydrocarbon stains from the surface of the concrete and absorb liquids. Bacterial cleaners are applied dry. The microbes activate when they come into contact with hydrocarbons and then slowly consume the remnants of the stain until it is gone.
Most of the concrete cleaners on the market are effective at cleaning grease, oil, dirt, grime, animal waste, and more either on application, with scrubbing, or even power-washing. While cleaning the surface is important, many cleaners are also capable of conducting deep-cleaning without damaging concrete by breaking down and dissolving dirt and grime deep within the surface.
With such a variety of cleaning products, cleaning methods vary as well. Regardless of the product, be sure to read and follow all safety, application, cleanup, and disposal instructions.
Cleaning time could take as little as a minute or as long as several weeks. Biological stains like algae and mold are relatively easy to kill and clean, whereas cleaning deep-set hydrocarbon stains with an enzyme or bacterial cleaner can take a long time. The major difference in working time, as mentioned previously, is due to the way the product works.
Chemical reactions such as the separation of grease from concrete by alkaline cleaners occur more quickly than bacterial digestion of petroleum. But the trade-off is that the fast-acting cleaner leaves petroleum pollutants intact, while the bacterial treatment converts the pollutant into water and carbon dioxide.
The environmental impact of concrete cleaning products varies based on the nature of the stain or spill being cleaned—and the product itself. Care should always be taken to remove and properly dispose of toxins, rather than dispersing them into the environment.
Pressure washing spreads debris from the concrete surface into the surrounding environment, so it is effective and safe for use on biological stains accompanied by eco-friendly cleaners. Potential environmental pollutants like oil or gas should ideally be remediated by enzyme or bacteria-based cleaners whenever possible.
While concrete cleaners are safe when stored and used properly, they pose inherent risks for skin contact, ingestion, inhalation, and other accidental exposure. Keep these products stored out of the reach of children and pets. Never store them in unmarked containers. Always heed the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use, including the use of personal protective equipment, safe storage, and first aid in case of emergency.
If you still want more information about concrete cleaners, read on for answers to several common questions about these products.
Certain concrete cleaners are made for a variety of surfaces and stains including bamboo, vinyl, tile, hardwood, linoleum, stone, and even upholstery. However, some of the options on the market are made for use on concrete surfaces only. Always read the instructions included on a product before applying it to certain surfaces.
Always keep children and pets away from the area while using concrete cleaner, and store the products out of their reach. Once cleaned, the area is immediately safe for normal use.
Remove oil stains and other hydrocarbons with a bioremediation driveway cleaner. For tough algae or moss growth, spot clean with a contractor-grade hypochlorite-based cleaner. Use an acid concrete driveway cleaner to deep clean and remove efflorescence. For general cleaning of a dirty driveway, a pressure washing cleaner will do the trick.
The process of pressure washing is made easier and more efficient if the surface is pretreated with a concrete cleaner. Apply the cleaner at low pressure and allow it to stand for three to five minutes before pressure washing.
Frequent cleaning with an appropriate cleaner is the best way to prevent mold, mildew, and algae from growing on a concrete surface. One of the best options for fighting algae on concrete is the Wet & Forget concrete cleaner, which has a concentrated formula that slowly dissolves pesky mold and mildew over time while preventing any regrowth. Another way to prevent any mold and mildew growth is to use a concrete sealer.
Concrete cleaners should be used at least once a year to prevent deep stains from settling. However, garages, auto shops, or other commercial spaces with a lot of grease and oil could benefit from using a concrete cleaner once a week to keep all the old and new stains at bay.
We’re committed to testing and reviewing products so you can make an informed decision. Advertising does not influence our product reviews and it never will. We always focus our coverage on standout products and never hesitate to mention their flaws and quirks. By using our affiliate links, you’re supporting our work and helping us continue to provide expert analysis. Find out more about our product evaluation process.
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