Asked by: Ladislaa Gerbrandt
home and garden home appliances

How do you clean a really dirty basement?

18
Scrub especially dirty basements with a cleaning solution.
If a concrete or concrete-block surface is especially dirty, add detergent and a quarter cup of ammonia to a bucket of warm water and brush the solution over the surface with a stiff nylon brush.


Furthermore, how do you clean dirty concrete?

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda to one gallon of water for a gentle cleaning solution. Add 1/8 cup of liquid dish detergent. Spray on patio surface, let sit for 30 minutes, then scrub and rinse. For heavily stained or mildewed patios, you may need a pressure washer.

Secondly, how do you clean a dirty floor? Step by step instructions include:
  1. Sweep or vacuum loose debris.
  2. Sprinkle baking soda on the floor.
  3. Mix one gallon of hot water, one cup of vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap.
  4. Mop the floor with the mixture, using the scrub brush to remove stubborn dirt, or in high traffic areas.

In respect to this, how do you clean old basement walls?

How to Clean Cinder Block Basement Walls

  1. Plastic sheets.
  2. 5-gallon plastic bucket.
  3. Long-handled nylon bristle brush.
  4. Step stool.
  5. 1/2 cup liquid dish detergent.
  6. 2 gallons hot water.
  7. Rubber gloves.
  8. 1 cup liquid household bleach.

What does vinegar do to concrete?

Vinegar: The Good, Bad and Downright Ugly Truth as a Cleaning Agent. Etching – Vinegar's ability to dissolve CaCO3 will dull your marble, travertine, concrete and terrazzo surfaces. It may “clean” the surface but it is also dissolving pits into the finish and effectively dulling it.

Related Question Answers

Urcesino Ocon

Professional

Why is my unfinished basement so dusty?

A lot of this is because a basement is below grade and subject to temperature changes, moisture, and humidity. You definitely need to seal the floors and paint the walls. If you are so inclined after you seal the floors, you may want to lay some peel and stick looring to help with the dust issue.

Estefan Villafañe

Professional

How do you deodorize a basement?

How to Deodorize a Basement
  1. Open any windows or doors in the basement to allow for air circulation, which will remove unpleasant odors and help dry out moisture.
  2. Purchase a deodorizing spray with antifungal properties and spray it on all walls and other hard surfaces to kill any mold spores or other undesirable odors clinging to them.

Mandeep Glascher

Explainer

How do you deep clean concrete floors?

Instructions
  1. Remove Surface Dust and Debris. Sweep, vacuum or dust mop regularly to help prevent scratches from dirt and grit.
  2. Mix Cleaning Solution and Wet Mop. Weekly, mix two gallons of warm water and two teaspoons dishwashing liquid in a bucket or sink. Mop the floor with the solution. Warning.
  3. Rinse and Dry.

Aileen Brokogne

Explainer

Can I power wash my basement?

A pressure washer can remove debris, paint, oil or grease that is stuck or encrusted on a surface. It works best on non-porous surfaces like concrete and will work well in a concrete basement. It is not recommended as a cleaning solution for a basement with wooden walls or dirt floors.

Mandi Twents

Explainer

How do I remove concrete dust from my basement?

Add ¼ cup of ammonia with detergent into a bucket of warm water. Use a nylon brush to clean the floor. If there is any stubborn dirt, mix trisodium phosphate (TSP) with the water. Then rinse it with water.

Edin Imperatore

Pundit

How do I get rid of concrete dust in my basement?

You must clean these surfaces before you clean the floor. The particles in concrete dust are very fine; simply vacuuming will not remove it all. Use a liquid to remove all of the dust. Dilute 12 ounces of hydrogen peroxide in 1 gallon of water and use soft cotton rags to wipe the surfaces.

Adam Ewles

Pundit

What is the best concrete cleaner?

  • Oil Eater Original 1 Gallon Cleaner/Degreaser.
  • Simple Green 18202 Concrete and Driveway Cleaner.
  • Concrete and Driveway Cleaner by TERMINATOR-HSD.
  • EXIMO Waterless Concrete Cleaner.
  • Powdered Concrete Floor Cleaner, Orange.
  • Sheiner's Floor Cleaner Concentrate.
  • Zep Professional Heavy-Duty Powdered Concrete Cleaner.

Aldina Titze

Pundit

Does white vinegar clean concrete?

Use equal parts white distilled vinegar and warm water, then add a pinch or two of salt. Let this solution soak into your concrete for about twenty minutes.

Naomy Ferg

Pundit

What is the best chemical to clean concrete?

Muriatic acid can work wonders on filthy concrete (and it can also be very useful in cleaning excess smears of dried mortar and grout, or when attempting to alleviate tough rust stains).

Mabrouk Frades

Pundit

What chemical will clean concrete?

Muriatic acid (a.k.a. hydrochloric acid) is probably the most common chemical for cleaning cement.

Nallua Amling

Teacher

What is the most effective patio cleaner?

The best patio cleaners
  1. Ultima-Plus XP Green Mould & Algae Remover. Best patio cleaner you can buy: a little goes a long way with this amazing patio cleaner.
  2. Jarder Spray & Leave Cleaner.
  3. Wet & Forget - Moss Mould Lichen & Algae Remover.
  4. Patio Magic!
  5. Pro-Kleen 5 Litres.
  6. Algon Organic Path and Patio Cleaner Concentrate.

Teodomira Underhill

Teacher

Does Simple Green Clean concrete?

Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Cleaner can be used with pressure washing equipment or for manual cleaning of concrete surfaces including driveways, sidewalks, patios and walkways. It removes oil, grease, grime and most stains and discolorations while still being non-corrosive and non-degrading.

Zhe Camarzana

Teacher

Can you use bleach to clean concrete?

Bleach effectively removes many stains, deodorizes and kills mold and mildew when used properly. For tough stains or dirt, scrub the concrete with a scrub brush. Allow the bleach solution to sit for five minutes. Empty the bucket, rinse it out and fill it with clean, warm water.

Pierina Starker

Teacher

How do you get stains off cement?

Get those unsightly grease, oil, and transmission fluid stains off your concrete driveway or garage floor. Spray them with oven cleaner. Let it settle for 5-10 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse it off with your garden hose at its highest pressure. Severe stains may require a second application.

Fan Sicilia

Reviewer

How can I clean my patio without a pressure washer?

Take a look at our simple six step guide on how to clean patio slabs without bleach or a pressure washer – just soap and water.
  1. Step 1: Remove any weeds.
  2. Step 2: Mix the soap with warm water to make your own patio cleaner.
  3. Step 3: Pour some of the mixture on your dirty patio.
  4. Step 4: Start brushing.

Ehab Patane

Reviewer

What is the black stuff on my basement walls?

Dark stains
Dark black or grayish stains on the wall are a sign of mold. Mold thrives in the presence of high humidity, warmth, and organic matter, on which it feeds. It's always warm enough in your home for mold to grow, even in the cold basement, and household dust carries enough organic matter to feed it.

Agurtxane Yana

Reviewer

Does efflorescence mean the basement leaks?

Efflorescence On Basement Walls. This white chalky powder is left behind on your basement walls when the water evaporates. While efflorescence isn't toxic and can easily be brushed off, it's a sign there's water leaking into your basement foundation.

Bjorg Tabar

Reviewer

What is the best sealant for basement walls?

RadonSeal Deep-Penetrating Concrete Sealer seals poured concrete and concrete blocks deeper and tighter than any other sealer on the market. The best basement sealer for your foundation walls and concrete floor against water seepage, vapor transmission and even radon gas.

Aintzane Zapico

Supporter

Is Drylock good for basement walls?

Waterproof interior, exterior, above or below grade walls including basements, retaining walls, and bare concrete swimming pools, foundations, and more. For fish ponds, we recommend using DRYLOK® Original.