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.