1. Concrete Cleaning

(Picture by Jean Wimmerlin on Unsplash)

If it’s time to spruce up the driveway and footpaths, let us help you with some simple advice.

Concrete cleaning can be tackled with three different approaches, acid based cleaners, heavy duty alkaline cleaners and solvents. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses.

Acidic cleaners (such as our Powdered Cement Cleaner) work by  removing a fine skin of concrete, revealing a fresh layer underneath. They are good at removing greying from trees and age and will also remove rust stains easily. They are a low effort clean but I would caution against using them as a regular cleaning option simply because each clean removes a small portion of the concrete. Acidic cleaners are all but useless at removing oil stains and while safe on wooden structure they will kill grass and plantlife..

Alkaline cleaners (such as Mustang) work well on  most hard surfaces and this makes them a good all-purpose concrete cleaner. These cleaners work by being good at busting up stains with an organic origin. This makes them good at removing tree sap stains, tyre marks etc. Unlike acidic cleaners they work best with a good dose of elbow grease. Working them in with a stiff-bristled broom before hosing off is always a good idea. Because of the nature of these cleaners they will irritate and even burn sensitive skin and eyes so you must take care, as well as wear appropriate safety gear (gloves. glasses, long sleeved clothing etc) when you use them. Alkaline cleaners do a passable job at cleaning oil stains but are ineffective with rust. They can also be quite harmful to paintwork.

Lastly, solvents. These area specialist cleaner that really only work on oil stains. Not every solvent will work so you need to pick them carefully but my preferred option is white spirit. The issue with oil and concrete is twofold. First, concrete has a textured finish with little holes and crannies that the oil can sit in. Second, oil and concrete like each other and it takes some coaxing to get them apart.

This is my approach: coat the stain with white spirit. Use enough to cover the stain with a fine layer but not so much that it runs. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, give a quick scrub then cover with a good quality oil absorbent (such as our Zorba) and tread/rub into stain, allow a few minutes before sweeping up. Please don’t use a cheap paper based adsorbent, they simply don't work. This method will even work on well-aged oil stains. Any solvent that works will not be environmentally friendly so please keep them away from drains and waterways.

2. Domestic or commercial?

What is the difference? (Picture by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash)

Ever wondered what the difference is between your supermarket purchased cleaner and those used by professionals? Read on and we will let you know.

This is an article i know I will enjoy writing, simply because I know it is going to be short and to the point. The domestic and professional markets both want the same end goal, clean items, but they value different criteria.

The key issue for the domestic user is convenience. The products for this market are ready-to-go. They are at final strength and generally in an easy to use package. This allows you to grab it, use, put it away. Job done!

For the professional user there are two key attributes, logistics and price per clean. These work together but let's consider logistics first. The professional has to either travel to many sites or clean large areas, often both. Being able to carry five litres that can be diluted to fifty litres is a big advantage in both physical effort to move it and storage space. Even though these cleaners are often more expensive to purchase per litre, the dilution always makes them cheaper to use. Because the product is being transported, diluted and transferred into an applicator, the packaging is simple, sturdy and generally larger volume.

In the end the answer is strength. Both use the same ingredients but the products used by the professionals are more concentrated. In case you were wondering, our products generally require a ten to fifty times dilution, depending on the application.

3. Can I track my order?

Yes, you can! After placing your order you will receive an order confirmation via email. Each order starts production 24 hours after your order is placed. Within 72 hours of you placing your order, you will receive an expected delivery date. When the order ships, you will receive another email with the tracking number and a link to trace the order online with the carrier.