Concrete Cleaner

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Stains on concrete are ugly and in most cases very difficult to remove. Oil, grease, or fluid stains are among the most common ones and in general, the older they are the harder they come out. Although concrete is easier to maintain in comparison to other types of flooring, it may give you a hard time when it gets dirty.

Some people try to use homemade solution to clean concrete but in most cases, they don’t work. Nevertheless, many store-bought cleaners may have the same effect, especially when dealing with difficult stains. So what’s to be done?

While there wasn’t yet found the “miracle cleaner”, there are some solutions that are more efficient than others. But how can you know for sure what cleaner to buy? In this case, the customers’ reviews may be a good marker.

To make your research easier, we looked for the most effective cement cleaners and degreasers. And we found them. Besides the fact that they can help you get rid of unsightly stains, they are completely harmless for the environment.

Top 8 Concrete Cleaners Compared

Photo	Product	Quantity	Type	Requires Scrubbing	Price
Best Overall	1. ACT Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser	2.5 lbs.	Powder		Check Price
Our Choice	2. Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor	1 gal.	Liquid	Pressure washing/manual scrubbing	Check Price
	3. Terminator-HSD Concrete and Driveway Cleaner	2 lbs.	Powder		Check Price
	4. Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Pressure Washer Concentrate	1 gal.	Liquid	Pressure washing/manual scrubbing	Check Price
	5. Black Diamond Stoneworks Limestone and Travertine Floor Cleaner	32 oz.	Liquid		Check Price
	6. Rust-Oleum 301242 Clean & Etch	128 oz.	Liquid		Check Price
	7. Eximo Waterless Concrete Cleaner	0.75	Powder		Check Price
	8. Eco-Etch Pro Concrete Etcher	128 oz.	Liquid		Check Price

1. ACT Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser

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Made by ACT, this cleaner is the perfect solution for cleaning your garage floor, driveway, or patio. It is among the few cleaners that work in extremely cold temperatures – it provides the same efficiency when used in up to -69 degrees.

Ingredients&Action

The product comes in a form of powder and it doesn’t contain toxic chemicals that may harm the environment or the people and animals. It is EPA tested and USDA certified. Also, it doesn’t require pressure washing, so you don’t have to rinse the surface with water.

• Bioremediation process: it breaks up the stains by deeply penetrating into the pores of concrete. The contaminants are absorbed and only water and CO2 are evaporated. The best thing about this process is that it prevents contaminants from entering into water supplies or soil. Anyway, it may require more applications to eliminate difficult stains, so you have to be patient.
• Reaches an undetectable level in 15 to 30 days: unlike other products that require a longer period of time to reach an acceptable remediation level, this one only needs between 15 and 30 days.

Best Uses

The product is suitable for many applications. It destroys and removes stains from oils, antifreeze, grease, animal waste, mold, and many others. Also, besides concrete, you can use it on a wide variety of surfaces including ceramic, wood, plastic, metal, and others.

PROS	CONS
Totally safe for the environment Highly efficient in cold weather Very easy to apply Controls odors Doesn’t affect the paint	You have to wait more days to see the results May require multiple applications to completely remove the stains
VERDICT
According to the customers, this cleaner does a fantastic job. It is easy to use and provides a great alternative to toxic products. However, you have to be willing to pay more money as it is the most expensive cleaner in our list.

2. Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor

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Suitable for a wide variety of surfaces, this cleaner is always good to have around. You can safely use it on structures, furniture, fabric, vehicles, and so on. It was specially designed for removing difficult stains on outdoor surfaces.

It is totally safe to use on metal, being able to eliminate grime, grease, and oil. You can also use it to remove buildup from wood, vinyl, and plastic and get rid of stains from outdoor fabric. Additionally, it can successfully eliminate discoloration caused by from mildew and mold on concrete, brick, and stone.

• EPA Safer Choice product: the concentrate contains power peroxide and it doesn’t contain hazardous, abrasive or, corrosive chemicals. The formula is biodegradable and not toxic. This makes it safe to use around people, animal, as well as wildlife, and waterways.
• Highly efficient when used with a pressure washer: for eliminating stains and dirt without hassle, you can use the cleaner with the pressure washer. 1-gallon bottle can clean around 6,400 sq. ft.

PROS	CONS
Can be used on a wide variety of outdoor surfaces Powerful formula as it contains hydrogen peroxide Bio-degradable and non-toxic Can be used with a pressure washer	May not be able to remove old stains Needs to be washed off thoroughly otherwise it may leave a residue
VERDICT
Safe and versatile, this cleaner is perfect for dirty outdoor surfaces. When combined with a pressure washer, it is very powerful.

3. Terminator-HSD Concrete and Driveway Cleaner

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This cleaner is our choice because it is provides great results at a more affordable price. Therefore, if you’re looking for a cheaper product to remove stains, you may consider this one made by Terminator.

When it comes to making your driveway look nice again, this high-concentration formula really does what it claims. It is ideal for oils, fluids -hydraulic, brake, or transmission, antifreeze, etc. You can confidently use it on the driveway, garage floor, and any other concrete surface.

• No hazardous ingredients: the cleaner is an eco-friendly option. Using the same bioremediation process, the cleaner simply breaks up stains without requiring scrubbing or pressure washing.
• Works only between 40 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit: so it is not suitable for extremely cold climates.
• Efficient on concrete, asphalt, soils, and porous stone.

PROS	CONS
Highly resistant to rain Eco-friendly option Can be applied very easily Has a higher concentration in comparison to other products	Takes more time to see the results For stubborn stains you may need to apply it more than once
VERDICT
Helps you get rid of stains without hassle. It works slow but it does a good job. Also, it is available at a pocket-friendly price, so you get to save some money.

4. Simple Green Oxy Solve Concrete and Driveway Pressure Washer Concentrate

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Specially made to eliminate rough stains, this cleaner will make your driveways and patio look nice again. Using the natural power of peroxide, this formula provides an efficient cleaning just by rinsing it at low or high pressure. You can also use it manually.

The solution is capable of removing grease, oil stains, tire marks, and so on. You can use it on a wide variety of surfaces including concrete, brick, asphalt, etc. It also helps reduce discoloration caused by mold and mildew on surfaces like stone or brick.

• Safe to use and biodegradable: the formula complies with the US EPA Safer Product Standards. Therefore, it doesn’t contain toxic chemicals and it is safe for people and pets as long as they are away from the work site. It doesn’t affect the environment as it is biodegradable.
• Enough for cleaning a surface of up to 6,400 sq. ft. : 1-gallon bottle of Oxy Solve concentrate makes approximately 21 gallons of solution. This means you can use it to clean large surfaces around the house.

PROS	CONS
Non-toxic and Eco-friendly formula Complies with the standards of the US EPA Safer Choice Program Eliminates stains, oils, grease, and discoloring Can be used on a wide variety of surfaces	You may have to use it more than once to see the results
VERDICT
The cleaner is efficient and easy to use. It has multiple applications around the house. And it doesn’t harm the landscape and it doesn’t have an unpleasant smell.

5. Black Diamond Stoneworks Limestone and Travertine Floor Cleaner

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This cleaner is more suitable for polished concrete floors. However, it is suitable for many other types of floors including marble, natural stone, or slate. Besides removing dirt, it also gives your floors a great luster.

The product comes in a concentrated formula, so you have to mix it with water before using it. This is great because you can use it for a longer period of time. It works with both cold or hot water. You just have to pour 4 ounces of liquid into 1 gallon of water.

• Safe for the environment: it is made of natural ingredients, so you can confidently use it around other people or around your pets. Also, the plants won’t be affected by its composition.
• No rinsing required: this formula is extremely easy to use as you don’t have to rinse it after application.

PROS	CONS
It is a multiple purpose cleaner as it works on many types of floors Doesn’t affect the environment, so you can use it without restrictions Balanced formula with neutral PH It is made in USA	It has an unpleasant smell Not so efficient on unpolished concrete
VERDICT
Opt for this cleaner if you have more types of floors. It doesn’t only remove stains but it also makes your floors look better. Also, it is safe to use as it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients.

6. Rust-Oleum 301242 Clean & Etch

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This is another solution that can efficiently remove stains from multiple concrete surfaces. It is a liquid solution, and just like the Eco-Etch Pro, it is suitable for cleaning and etching. However, it doesn’t require neutralization.
The formula is free of harmful chemicals, so the environment will not be affected by the ingredients. Therefore, you can use it to clean areas near grass and plants. Also, it is odorless.
Can be used on a wide variety of surfaces like the patio, driveway, basement and garage floor, and so on.

• 500 sq. ft. coverage: the solution needs to be diluted with water, so the 1-gallon container can be used for many applications.
• Capable of removing efflorescence: to improve the adhesion.

PROS	CONS
Safe to use as it doesn’t contain dangerous ingredients for the environment Doubles as an etching solution Can cover large surfaces Doesn’t need water to neutralize	You have to scrub the surface and then rinse it 3 times Can cause severe eye and skin damage Few reviews from customers
VERDICT
The solution offers quick results and it is completely harmless for the environment. The price is also an advantage as it is less expensive than most cleaners.

7. Eximo Waterless Concrete Cleaner

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Working on the same principle as the previous products, the Eximo waterless cleaner is a reliable solution for removing stains. The bioremediation process uses microorganisms that eliminate stains without exposing yourself or the environment to toxic chemicals.

The product doesn’t only work on concrete but also on asphalt and other surfaces. This means you can use it on sidewalks, driveways, and so on.

• Get your money back: in case you are not satisfied with the results, the company will return your money back.
• Doesn’t require water: this makes it very easy to apply on the surface. Once applied, you just have to sweep on and wait for the results.

PROS	CONS
100% satisfaction guarantee Very convenient to apply Green alternative	Works very slowly Usually requires 2 to 4 applications to see the results The bag is pretty small in comparison to other containers
VERDICT
The product does a great job in most cases. For stubborn stains you may need to buy another bag as this one is pretty small. Also, it is a little bit too pricey if we consider the quantity.

8. Eco-Etch Pro Concrete Etcher

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The Eco-Etch Pro is a liquid solution that works differently than the previous cleaners. It is suitable for concrete and other cementitious surfaces and it can easily remove stains. But it has multiple other uses including masonry block cleaner, light rust removal, efflorescence removal, etc.
This concrete etcher and cleaner works by dissolving the concrete surface layers and opening up the pores. This enables a better penetration and thus a deeper cleaning.

Once the solution is applied, you have to wait for about 10 to 15 minutes and then brush the surface insistently. The formula is neutralized with water. It is completely biodegradable and it doesn’t emit harmful acid fumes. Also, it is safe for the skin as it doesn’t cause skin burns.

• Natural ingredients: The formula is made of biodegradable organic salt mixture, water, solvent-free surfactants and thickeners. Therefore, it doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals. It has a slightly fruity odor and it has to be diluted with water.
• 150-200 sq. ft. coverage: the container is enough for multiple applications.

PROS	CONS
Totally safe for the skin Made of biodegradable ingredients Provides fast results Can be used as an etcher	You have to scrub the surface and then rinse it properly Some customers complained about the fact that it bled the color of the cement
VERDICT
Safe to use and pretty efficient in most cases. It is a great solution if you’re looking for a product that provides quick results.

In order to efficiently remove stains and grease, you need a powerful formula. Don’t let your concrete’s appearance be ruined by oils and fluids and take action right away. Having a good cleaner within reach can help you a lot in maintaining your driveways, sidewalks, patio, or garage floor.

Here are our top recommendations:

Best Overall Cleaner: ACT Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser
It is not the only product that uses microbes to remove stains but it has some advantages that you will not find in other products.

It doesn’t damage the paint and it can be used in extremely cold temperatures. It is expensive but it worth every penny.

Best Liquid Cleaner: Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor
If you prefer a liquid cleaner, this one is the best you can get. It is one of the most versatile options as it can be used for multiple applications.

The solution is biodegradable and it is very easy to use.

Best Price-Quality: Terminator-HSD Concrete and Driveway Cleaner
This product is cheaper than ACT Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser but it provides similar results. You get a higher amount of powder at a more affordable price.

It uses the same process – biodegradation – but the formula features a higher concentration.