Stamped concrete offers homeowners, business owners, and decision makers for municipalities many options. Concrete can be poured in different colors and then stamped with unique designs and patterns. These possibilities are making stamped concrete a popular choice for many. It offers ruggedness of concrete, ease of care, and great curb appeal.
Read more for suggestions on how to clean and maintain stamped concrete.
Steps to Follow to Clean Stamped Concrete
Cleaning stamped concrete requires a few routine steps. It is best if these are completed on a regular basis so there isn’t any buildup of debris. Leaves and grasses that can accumulate on the stamped concrete and become wet and mulch-like should be removed often to prevent staining.
Sweep your Stamped Concrete
Grab a broom and sweep your patio or walkway that is made from stamped concrete. Often this is the only cleaning that you will need to do. When you sweep, your focus is to eliminate any debris or dirt that is on your concrete. However, to prevent accumulation of dirt, occasionally, you should add into your cleaning repertoire the next couple of easy steps.
Wet Mop the Area
To be sure that you have removed all loose dirt, you can use a leaf blower after you finish sweeping. Then fill a bucket part way with warm water. Insert your mop into the water; you can use a sponge or rope mop for this. Depending on the size of your stamped concrete area, you may need to empty and refill your bucket with clean water.
Often, this is all the cleaning that your concrete will need. If you notice that it is still not as clean as you want, add the next step.
Add a Gentle Cleaner
Refill your bucket, but this time, add a non-abrasive cleaner to the water. You can use a mild dish detergent for this step. Mop the stamped concrete area again. Focus on the areas of concern. You can use a gentle brush to any areas that appear stained. Once you have finished mopping the area, you need to rinse it. For this step, you can use your garden hose or mop the area with clean water to remove any lingering soap.
Check with your concrete contractor, they may have special cleaners to recommend that you use. Do not use any harsh detergents or chemicals. These can wear down the protective sealant that was applied to your concrete. These chemical-based cleaners can also remove the shine of the surface and alter its appearance.
Steps to Follow to Remove Stains from Stamped Concrete
Even though you work hard on maintaining concrete, spills and accidents can happen. So, if the above steps do not remove all the spots on your concrete, here are suggestions to remove stains.
If the spill just occurred and is still in a liquid form, quickly apply mild dish detergent to the spot. With a nylon brush, scrub the area. Then mop the area with warm water.
If the spill has dried, try a degreaser on the spot. Before you do, in a small, out of sight area, try the degreaser to make sure that it does not damage the concrete.
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