How to Clean Concrete Steps

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There are a variety of ways to clean concrete steps. For mild cleaning, spot cleaning, and/or indoor cleaning, use a mild dish soap and a stiff bristle brush to remove stains from your concrete steps. For stubborn stains and outdoor jobs, use a concrete cleaner with a push broom or a pressure washer to clean your concrete steps thoroughly.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using Dish Soap and Hot Water

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  1. Use a broom to sweep away dirt and debris from the concrete steps. Sweep the steps until they are completely free of dirt and debris. This will prep the concrete for the cleaning process. [1]
    • Alternatively, you can use a leaf blower to remove dirt and debris from the steps.
  2. Use liquid dish soap. Mix the ingredients together in a plastic bucket until they are well-combined. [2]
    • To make the solution more potent, mix in one part vinegar.
    • The temperature of the water should be at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius).
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  3. Make sure each stain is completely covered with the solution. Then let the solution set for 10 to 15 minutes. While the solution is setting, make sure it does not dry. If it begins to dry, then just pour more solution onto the stain.
    • If the stain is a stubborn or old stain, then you may need to let the solution set for 30 minutes.
  4. Do not use a metal scrub brush; these may scratch your concrete. Scrub the stains until they are completely removed. [3]
    • If the stains remain, then sprinkle them with a powdered laundry detergent. Let the detergent set for 10 to 15 minutes. After the allotted time, pour hot water onto the stains and scrub them with your stiff bristle brush until they are completely gone.
  5. Rinse the steps with the hot water until all of the soap residue and debris are completely gone.You may need to rinse your steps two to three times. [4]
    • The temperature of the water should be at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius).
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using a Concrete Cleaner

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  1. Sweep or blow away all the dirt and debris from the concrete steps. Also, make sure to cover up any nearby plants with a plastic covering like a tarp or trash bags.
    • Remove toys, decorations, and nearby furniture as well.
  2. Mix them together in a plastic bucket until they are well-combined. The temperature of the water should be at least 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius).
    • Alternatively, you can use a specially formulated concrete cleaner instead of the oxygenated bleach and water. You can find these at your local hardware store.
  3. Fill a tank sprayer with the solution. Working from the top down, use the tank to spray the steps with the solution, focusing on the stained areas. Once you have covered the whole area, let the solution set for 20 to 30 minutes.
    • Make sure the concrete steps are soaking wet to prevent the solution from drying up while it is setting. If the solution starts to dry, then just spray more solution onto the steps.
    • You can purchase or rent a tank sprayer from your local hardware store.
  4. You can also use a push broom to do this. Working from the top down, scrub the steps until the dirt and grime are completely removed. Use a smaller scrub brush to clean small crevices and corners.
    • Make sure to clean the steps evenly to avoid a patchy look.
  5. Fill a gallon bucket with clean, hot water. From the top of the stairs, pour the water down the steps to rinse them clean. Rinse the steps until all of the soap residue, dirt, and grime are removed.
    • If the concrete steps are still dirty, then repeat steps one through five, or use a different method.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Pressure Washer

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  1. You can rent a pressure washer from your local hardware store. Rent a pressure washer with a flow rate of at least 4 gpm (gallons per minute) and a PSI of at least 3,000. [5]
  2. Remove dirt, leaves, twigs, and other debris from your steps using a broom or an electric blower. Also make sure to remove nearby plants, toys, furniture, and decorations. [6]
    • Make sure to cover any nearby plants that cannot be removed with a tarp or trash bags.
  3. Fill a plastic bucket with one part hot water to two parts liquid dish soap. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined. Then scrub the treatment into the concrete using a push broom or a stiff bristle brush. Let the solution set for 15 to 20 minutes.
    • Alternatively, you can pretreat the steps with a specially formulated concrete cleaner.
  4. Hook the pressure washer up per the directions on the instruction manual. Use the high-pressure nozzle and rinse mode to clean the steps. With the nozzle facing the concrete, press the trigger. Starting from the top of the steps, begin to clean them in a back and forth sweeping motion.
    • Wash the steps until all of the soap, dirt, and grime are removed.
    • To ensure your safety, wear close-toed shoes, clothing that can get wet, and safety goggles.
  5. Do this once the steps are completely clean. If you are going to apply a sealant, make sure the concrete is completely dry before doing so.
    • It may take one to two days for the concrete to dry completely.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.installitdirect.com/blog/concrete-stain-removal/
      2. ↑ Erik Bakirov. Cleaning Specialist. Expert Interview. 7 January 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.installitdirect.com/blog/concrete-stain-removal/
      4. ↑ https://www.installitdirect.com/blog/concrete-stain-removal/
      5. ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/cleaning_concrete/equipment_options.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/cleaning_concrete/equipment_options.htm

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean concrete steps, start by sweeping up any loose dirt and debris. Then, mix 1 part hot water and 2 parts dish soap, and pour the mixture over the steps. You can also add white vinegar to make the mixture even more potent. Next, let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing the steps with a stiff-bristled brush. Finally, rinse off the steps with hot water. To learn how to clean concrete steps with a pressure washer, scroll down!

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