Tips to clean concrete without power washer?

[LAGrunthaner]

I know the power-washer would be the easiest and I can rent one at the local rental store but I will have trouble with minor cracks becoming major cracks. I've read a bit on cleaning products but would like to know what has worked for anyone here.

Any luck with TSP & a scrub brush?

Muriatic acid & scrub brush?

As you see it is next to the victory garden so I can't kill the plants. Any thoughts? It is a small area and dish soap and brush was barely successful.

_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org

[Abscate]

Go with the power washer , just water, and back off the distance to24 inches. Come in slowly to find the wash and no-damage point.

Zip tie a guide stick to the wand to hold that distance.
_________________
.ssS!

[calvinater]

TSP
_________________
"Albatross"!

[KTPhil]

What are you trying to remove? Oil? Moss? Dirt?

When I had a big oil spill I started with kitty litter, then soaking with kerosene, then a hose with a jet nozzle and laundry soap. Rust stains were handled with muriatic (pool) acid, then baking soda to neutralize it.

[my59]

Clean a concrete walkway and steps? What, you want to see ir get dirty again? You got nothing better to do? Wow.....;-)

Yeah, pressure washer set to 'gentle' cycle.
When we wash buildings, first is water, basic detergent, and natural bristle brushes.
If it needs more, then we add a light duty restoration cleaner, Prosoco.
If it needs more, we move to medium duty, then heavy duty.
You need to capture the run off, allow it to evaporate, dispose of, etc.

Your garden may not be such a victory.
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[Zundfolge1432]

Muriatic acid better known as hydrochloric acid is very bad stuff, highly toxic and will etch concrete. The fumes are awful too. I’d use a more environmentally friendly product like simple green or one of the citrus cleaners. If unable to use a power washer I’d apply the cleaner, scrub with stiff bristle brush and rinse. Maybe lather rinse repeat and it will look great.

[busdaddy]

Around here there's a product called 30 seconds cleaner, I don't know what's in it although it does smell a little like bleach, it claims to be safe for plants too. The stuff really works, got all the lichen off my brick patio with minimal effort.

https://30secondscleaners.com/collections/products...gJ34fD_BwE
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[cdennisg]

[Abscate]

There is nothing environmentally safe about Simple Green

Butylethoxy ethers and a pretty high pH make it nasty on plants, too.
_________________
.ssS!

[skills@eurocarsplus]

I have one of these and love it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFPEVAWf88M

honestly, just straight up water will get you done if you're removing general smutz.

you'll have to be REAL careful with muriatic acid, it will etch in a bad way. even 1 drop on the surface will destroy it if left too long.

you'll never get the results you hope for without a pressure washer. if anything i'd try some ZEP concrete cleaner and get one of those diesel push broom heads, you know the ones where the brush material is made of wicker

I've cleaned enough stalls in my life to know what works with minimal effort so my vote is for the pressure washer. if you're worried about blowing chunks out near cracks, get your sea legs in "the field" and practice...you can literally laser along side a crack within 1/16" and cause no damage
_________________

[cdennisg]

[2type2]

I found 30 Second Cleaner to be useless. Perhaps you have noticed that many of these cleaners are weak dilutions of commonly available things. Do some research on sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate ,also the 'substitute- fake 'TSP powder. Figure you can make gallons for pennies, as well as mix what strength you desire. There are many chemical possibilities available in cheap bulk .Then use with a stiff scrubbing broom and rinse off. Better yet rinse with water only pressure spray. If you are using a bleach wash somewhere ---def use Jo-max in the mix as it enhances bleach.
_________________
"A life of peace and happiness depends on your own gratefulness"

[grandpa red]

[mark tucker]

there is eco friendly bleach..... I like the dollor trees cleaners, awesome works great as does the mold spray and a few others. but use sparinglyt and rince well real well but you probably just want to sue a steamer neer the garden. some sunshine works too.

[raygreenwood]

[60vwnewengland]

Outdoor Bleach, water, scrubber?
_________________
77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP

[Manfred58sc]

The Napa "Floor dry" left in place for 2-3 days does an amazing job. I grind it in with my boots and cover with cardboard ( so I can keep working in the area). I then broom the area with hot water and a touch of Dawn. Like new and you won't peel off any sealer that may be in place.
_________________
Fat chick owner/operator

[cdennisg]

[Cusser]

[LAGrunthaner]

Yes I'm just going to clean the dirt accumulation over the years. Sounds like I can't go wrong with mild detergent elbow grease and water, or a power washer and avoid the cracks.

Great tips, thanks & glad I asked.

BTW my59, it is a victory garden, the most tomatoes ever. Wise guy in every post
Linda
_________________
American Red Cross Safe And Well:
https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/...bsite.html
Maui Roadsters
www.mauiroadsters.com
http://www.oacdp.org