Concrete Cleaner

---

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 5 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. Terminator-HSD Concrete and Driveway Cleaner	2 lbs.	Powder		Check Price
	3. Eco-Etch Pro Concrete Etcher	128 oz.	Liquid		Check Price
	4. Eximo Waterless Concrete Cleaner	0.75	Powder		Check Price
	5. Rust-Oleum 301242 Clean & Etch	128 oz.	Liquid		Check Price

1. ACT Concrete Cleaner and Degreaser

Check the Price
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. Terminator-HSD Concrete and Driveway Cleaner

Check the Price
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.

3. Eco-Etch Pro Concrete Etcher

Check the Price
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.

4. Eximo Waterless Concrete Cleaner

Check the Price
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. It doesn’t require water which makes it very easy to apply on the surface. Once applied, you just have to sweep on and wait for the results.

• Get your money back: in case you are not satisfied with the results, the company will return your money back.

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.

5. Rust-Oleum 301242 Clean & Etch

Check the Price
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. At the same time, it is capable of removing efflorescence and residue to improve the adhesion.

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

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.

In order to efficiently remove stains and grease, you need a powerful solution. 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 Price: 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.

Best Liquid Cleaner: Eco-Etch Pro Concrete Etcher
If you prefer a liquid cleaner, this one is the best you can get. The advantage of using it is that it provides faster results, Anway, you have to scrub and clean the surface thoroughly to enjoy better results.

It is one of the most versatile options as it can be used for multiple applications.