These are the Best Products for Cleaning Concrete (2024)

Concrete is porous when not sealed and requires gentle cleaners that won’t disrupt its protective top coat. The best concrete cleaners lift dirt, grease, and grime. However, not every product works for every surface or type of stain.

While you can use a general concrete cleaner to wash away dirt, you’ll need an oil-removing product to eliminate set-in grease stains. You’ll also need a milder solution for polished and epoxy-coated concrete floors.

I’ve compiled the top concrete cleaning products for various surfaces, from driveways to polished floors. Some work as a mopping solution, while others are compatible with a hose or pressure washer. Read below to find the product that will best suit your needs.

Best Concrete Cleaners By Category

What to Consider Before Buying a Concrete Cleaner

While it’s tempting to grab the easiest-to-use or least expensive product, it’s essential to choose one compatible with your type of concrete. For example, if you’re cleaning polished concrete floors, avoid acidic cleaners and go for something PH-neutral.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of concrete cleaners:

• Acidic cleaners – great for removing stains but can damage surrounding plant life and polished concrete.
• PH neutral cleaners – these cleaners are mild and appropriate for indoor and polished concrete
• Alkaline cleaners – most degreasers have an alkaline base, which is best for cleaning oil and grease spots
• Enzymatic cleaners – capable of lifting stains and bacteria caused by organic matter

Best Concrete Cleaners

Here’s a look at some of the highest-rated concrete cleaners by category so you can choose the best solution for your job.

Best for Pressure Washers: Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor

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Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Pressure Washer Cleaner is suitable for concrete and other outdoor surfaces, including siding, wicker, wood, stone, and brick. It has an eco-friendly base and uses peroxide to lift stains. It can clean dirt, grime, stains, mold, and mildew.

To use the Simple Green cleaner on your concrete, fill the soap reservoir on your pressure washer with the product. Then, wet the concrete with water at low pressure. Follow that with a low-pressure spray of Simple Green. After waiting 3-5 minutes, rinse at high pressure.

The EPA rates this cleaner as a “safer choice,” so it will not harm surrounding plants or wildlife.

Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 8,000 reviewers. Thousands of reviews claim it’s a fantastic product that cleans well. But, a few negative reviews state that it could have worked better on stains.

Pros:

• Can use on multiple outdoor surfaces, including concrete
• Eco-friendly formula is safe for plants, wildlife, and pets
• Tackles dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and staining

Cons:

• The product has a few complaints about not removing stains well

Best for Polished Concrete Floors: Zep PH Neutral Floor Cleaner

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Zep PH Neutral floor cleaner is mild and best for polished concrete floors. Unlike most other concrete cleaners, this product won’t break down the layer of polish and can even help restore shine.

To use ZEP Ph Neutral floor cleaner, start by sweeping or vacuuming your concrete floor. Then, dilute depending on the level of cleaning you need: light, medium, or heavy duty. Next, use the solution to mop the floor. Mop with plain water afterward to rinse the product.

You can use this cleaner on sealed concrete, granite, marble, and stone floors.

Zep PH Neutral floor cleaner has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from over 900 users. Most reviewers claim the product works great and is more economical than alternative cleaners like Bona. We found one review stating that this product left the floor slippery when dry.

Pros:

• Cleans and restores the shine on polished concrete floors
• Economical – comes with 4 one gallon jugs
• Users can choose a dilution ratio based on the desired level of cleaning

Cons:

• Not suited for unsealed or outdoor concrete

Best for a Hose: 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner

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For those who don’t have a pressure washer and are looking for an easy way to clean a large outdoor concrete surface, 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner is a suitable product. It’s safe for concrete, metal, plastic, masonry, and more.

To use 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner on concrete, start by attaching the valve to a garden hose. Next, turn the valve to the spray setting and saturate your dry concrete. Scrub any stained areas if needed. Allow the spray to sit on the concrete for up to 15 minutes, but don’t let it dry. Then, turn the valve to the “rinse” setting, and rinse the product away.

This solution can be used to clean organic matter like dirt, mold, and mildew. While the formula is plant-safe, you need to rinse any surrounding plants or windows before the solution dries.

30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner has over 3,000 reviews with a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Many reviewers state this product effectively cleans siding and concrete without needing a pressure washer. But since it is bleach-based, it may lighten your clothes.

Pros:

• Effective on multiple surfaces, including concrete, without using a pressure washer
• The valve attaches to a hose for easy application
• One gallon will clean up to 200 square feet of concrete

Cons:

• The bleach-based formula can lighten clothes
• Must rinse off of plants before it has a chance to dry

Best for Driveways: Zep Driveway and Concrete Cleaner

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Zep Driveway and Concrete cleaner is suitable for removing concrete stains, dirt, and oil marks. It’s a budget-friendly choice coming in a four-pack of 1-gallon jugs.

To use Zep Driveway and Concrete cleaner, mix the solution per the package directions. Then apply the cleaner to the driveway using a pump sprayer or mop. Allow the product to sit for up to ten minutes but don’t allow it to dry on the surface. If you have unsealed concrete, you can use a brush to scrub the product into stains. After ten minutes, rinse with a hose or pressure washer.

You can use this cleaner on asphalt, concrete, quarry tile, and brick.

Zep Driveway cleaner has more than 100 reviews and a 4-out-of-5-star rating. While many users believe this product works well, some state that it did nothing for set-in oil stains.

Pros:

• Easy-to-use formula can clean tire marks and grease stains
• Suitable for brick, asphalt, concrete, and quarry tile
• Makes up to 20 gallons of solution after diluting with water

Cons:

• It may not work on severe stains
• Not intended for painted surfaces and may remove protective coatings

Best for Mold and Mildew: Wet & Forget Outdoor Mold & Mildew Cleaner

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If you have black or green stains on your concrete from mold, moss, or algae, the Wet & Forget Cleaner is an easy way to get rid of them. The spray is bleach-free and non-acidic. The downside is that it can take weeks to months for stains to disappear.

To use the cleaner, spray the mold or mildew area on a cool day when rain is not in the forecast. Spray onto a dry surface and leave the cleaner – no need to rinse. Mild green stains will begin to lift in 1 to 2 weeks, while it might take six months or more for heavy black stains to disappear. If you’re dealing with severe staining, reapply after 1-2 months.

The Wet & Forget Outdoor Mold & Mildew Cleaner has almost 11,000 reviews with a 4 out of 5-star rating. Most reviewers state the product works well; you just need patience. Some negative reviews indicate that applying the product to large areas is difficult.

Pros:

• Easy to use – spray on dry surfaces; no need to rinse
• Comes in a convenient-to-use spray bottle
• Works on multiple surfaces to kill mold, moss, mildew, and algae

Cons:

• It can take months for the product to work
• May be cumbersome to apply to large areas

Best PH-Neutral: EZ Clean Neutral Floor Cleaner

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EZ Clean Neutral Floor Cleaner is suitable if you need a PH-neutral floor cleaner for your polished, epoxy-coated, or indoor concrete floors. You can use it on any water-safe surface, and it even removes grease.

To use the EZ Clean Neutral Floor Cleaner, dilute it by adding 1 – 4 ounces to a gallon of warm water. Next, apply the solution to the floor using a sponge or mop. Allow the cleaner to sit on the surface for up to 5 minutes, and then remove excess water with a squeegee or mop—there is no need to rinse.

Pros:

• PH neutral cleaner safe for polished and epoxy-coated concrete
• Can dilute the solution based on your needs
• No need to rinse after mopping

Cons:

• Not a practical option for driveways or walkways

Best for Oil Stains: Terminator-HSD Concrete Cleaner

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Most concrete driveways and garage floors come in contact with oil at some point. Terminator-HSD Concrete Cleaner is an effective and eco-friendly option for breaking down oil and grease stains.

To use the product, spread the powder over the oil stain and mist it with water. You don’t need to rinse or scrub. But, you may need to reapply the product once per week and wait 4-6 weeks for it to break down the oil.

As a reminder, this product is not for absorbing oil spills – instead, it breaks down grease stains.

Terminator-HSD has over 900 user reviews and 4 out of 5 5-star ratings. Some users claim this was the only product that removed the oil stains on their concrete. Others claim it only removed the top layer or took a long time to work.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly product breaks down grease instead of absorbing it
• Easy application, no rinsing required
• One bottle can cover 200-400 square feet

Cons:

• It can take 4-6 weeks to work, with weekly applications needed
• It can get expensive if you’re dealing with large oil stains

Best Eco-Friendly: ACT Concrete Cleaner

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ACT Concrete Cleaner is an eco-friendly stain remover that utilizes microbes to break down stains and waste. While this cleaner isn’t suitable for washing large areas of concrete, it’s ideal for spot-treating.

ACT Concrete Cleaner can remove stains from grease, oil, animal waste, car fluids, gum, and pop. To use the cleaner, sprinkle it on the stain and then use a soft-bristled broom to work the powder in. Mist with water until damp. Refrain from rinsing or sweeping the product away—it can take 2-4 weeks to work.

ACT Concrete Cleaner has more than 350 reviews and a 4 out of 5-star rating. Most reviewers claim the product works well if you have patience. Some users suggest applying the product twice for severe concrete stains.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly solution that breaks down many types of concrete stains
• No need to rinse, apply the product and leave it be
• ACT Concrete Cleaner is USDA-certified, and EPA tested

Cons:

• Not suitable for washing – only removes stains
• It can take up to 4 weeks to work

DIY Concrete Wash

If you want to make a DIY concrete cleaner, try one of the recipes below. You might have all the ingredients on hand.

Baking Soda, Peroxide, and Dish Soap Concrete Cleaner

Try this solution if you need to wash a large area of unsealed concrete, like a walkway or patio. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Large bucket
• ⅛ cup of dish soap
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide

Add all ingredients to your bucket and mix. Sweep the area you need to clean and apply the solution using a soft-bristled scrub broom, mop, or large scrub brush. Allow the cleaner to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse off with a garden hose.

Dish Soap and Water

If your patio or concrete driveway doesn’t have severe stains, a simple dish soap and water solution is all you need. Dish soap is a mild cleaner that can lift dirt and grease.

• Use a broom or leaf blower to clean the area
• Fill a bucket with warm water, add a few drops of dish soap, and stir
• Apply the solution to the concrete using a scrub broom or mop
• Allow it to sit for a few minutes and rinse with a hose or pressure washer

Why Trust Homedit?

Homedit has delivered unbiased home improvement, design, and cleaning tips since 2008. Our writer, Katie Barton, has more than ten years of experience in testing and researching cleaning products. For this article, she researched over 25 concrete cleaners, narrowing down the most popular and effective products in each respective category. Katie’s cleaning and organizing advice has been featured in many top publications, including Yahoo!, Realtor.com, and GoBakingRates.