How To Clean A Garage Floor?

A garage floor gets subjected to a heavy amount of wear and tear due to vehicle traffic, oil spills, dirt and general clutter – yet they are one of the most neglected spaces in a house. Most homeowners only think about cleaning their garage floors when something major occurs, like a stubborn oil stain or an upcoming property inspection. But just like the other areas of your home, a well-maintained garage floor can help preserve the safety, longevity and overall cleanliness of your home. A dirty garage floor can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and pests, making regular cleaning essential.

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to clean your garage floor effectively. Although the garage floors aren’t required to be clean enough to eat off of, maintaining them with the appropriate tools and cleaning agents will help keep them looking fresh and prevent unwanted “dirtiness” from getting tracked inside the rest of your home. If you are preparing to vacate your property soon, making sure that the garage looks spotless is important for the professional end of lease cleaning Wollongong inspection. Make sure no detail is missed to get your bond back.

1. Gather all your Supplies

Having everything you need on hand for the cleaning task is a good plan, as you won’t have to keep exiting the scene looking for missing tools or solutions throughout the rest of your home. Gather everything in one go, then proceed with the actual cleaning to save time and effort. Here’s a list of all the things you’ll need:

• A stiff-bristled broom or brush
• A dustpan or vacuum cleaner for dry debris
• A mop and bucket
• Degreaser or a commercial garage floor cleaner
• Baking soda or dish soap (for mild stains)
• Pressure washer (optional but effective for deep cleaning)
• Protective gear like gloves, goggles and a face mask

When choosing the type of cleaner for your floor, ensure that the compounds won’t damage your particular floor type. To test for compatibility, apply a little bit of the cleaner onto a hidden area of the floor. If the floor doesn’t look damaged or discoloured, move ahead with the cleaning.

2. Sweep and Remove Loose Debris

The very first step of cleaning the garage floor is to rid it of all the loose dust, dirt and debris. To do this, use a soft-bristled broom to sweep the entire area, paying close attention to corners and edges where dirt tends to accumulate. Suppose the garage has a lot of fine dust. In this case, it’s better to use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to prevent the dust from becoming airborne, an especially important requirement if you’re preparing for a thorough end of lease cleaning in Wollongong as the airborne fine dust can degrade the overall air quality.

Tip: Don’t forget to remove the cobwebs and dust from the walls and ceiling as well as landlords check these when determining the overall cleanliness.

3. Apply Degreaser for Oil and Grease Stains

Oil and grease stains on the floor are commonplace in garages, especially if you own a vehicle and you keep it inside the garage space. These stains can be pretty stubborn and require a powerful degreaser to lift them. To tackle the stains, apply the degreaser directly onto the stains and leave it there for 10-15 minutes to do its thing. If you want a more natural alternative, sprinkle some baking soda or dish soap on the stain and scrub it away with a stiff brush (it might take some time, but it will be worth the effort). After scrubbing, rinse the area with water and check if the stain is completely gone. If not, repeat it.

Caution: If using a chemical degreaser, always wear gloves and a mask, and ensure the garage is well-ventilated to limit your inhalation of fumes.

4. Scrub and Mop the Floor

Once the stains are all treated, it’s time to scrub the entire floor with a mop and a cleaning solution. A mix of warm water and mild detergent will work well for general cleaning, but for more intense “dirtiness”, a pressure washer would give you better results and remove all the “stuck-on” grime. Start the process from the back of the garage and work your way towards the exit to avoid treading on the already clean areas. You must keep rinsing the mop in intervals to prevent it from spreading dirt around.

5. Rinse and Dry the Floor

After the mopping and scrubbing, give the garage floor a thorough rinse. For this, you can use a hose or a mop with fresh, clean water and remove any remaining soap residue or cleaning agents; however, avoid overwetting the floor as it may create slipping hazards and encourage mould growth. When conducting a quality end of lease cleaning in Wollongong area, ensure that the garage floor is completely dry after the cleaning sessions. Landlords will check for water damage or moisture build-up in this area.

6. Prevent Future Stains and Maintain Cleanliness

Cleaning the garage floor should not be a one-time-only task; to maintain it, you need to clean it at least periodically to avoid contaminating other areas of your home. To maintain it in good condition, you need to adopt a few good practices. When doing an oil change or working on the mechanics of your car, place a mat under your vehicle to catch any oil drips. If spills occur, clean them up immediately to prevent them from becoming permanent. Additionally, seal your garage floor with a sealer to add a protective layer and regularly sweep the area to prevent dirt from accumulating.

Regular maintenance will not only keep your garage looking clean but will also reduce the amount of effort needed to keep it clean over time.

Keep Your Garage Floors Clean

Wrapping up

A clean garage is not an impossible or daunting task; it can be made pretty easy with a few simple tricks and good cleanliness practices. Sweeping, scrubbing, rinsing and maintaining will keep your garage clean. With the above tips and a few others, you’ll be able to enhance both the safety and longevity of your garage floor. Happy Cleaning!