Asked on Jul 02, 2013

Cleaning textured painted concrete floors

JoanneSchlund
by JoanneSchlund
I have the job of cleaning a lighthouse, and the floors are spiraled concrete that has been painted for almost 100 years. My question is what is best to use to remove years of grime in the textured steps? I was asked to try a steam cleaner, but don't know the results of such a cleaner on painted concrete. If anyone has knowlege, advice or suggestions for this, I would appreciate it!
  3 answers
  • Valerie Valerie on Jul 03, 2013
    I was curious about this one, so I looked it up. The advice offered differed, but generally was to use ordinary household laundry detergent and a hard broom, combined with a lot of effort and hard work! Others offered the same solution but added ammonia to the laundry detergent. I personally think that using a high-pressure cleaner should do the trick, but a whole lot less effort! Please keep us posted as to how it all works out ...
  • Virggie D Virggie D on Oct 18, 2015
    Hardware stores, in very large cities, often rent (or sell) tough bristled electric floor (and carpet) cleaning machines. I've rented them to clean sturdy livingroom rugs. Love the results and old towels can soak-up some excess liquid. Later, use large electric fans to speed the drying process. A cleaning solution was sold with the electric floor cleaning devices (about the size of a large upright vacuum cleaner.)
  • Tzippora Tzippora on Aug 17, 2016
    A power hose is probably the most efficient way of cleaning concrete. I wouldn't be concerned about the paint - it's made for concrete, and therefore stands up to an awful lot.