A typical garage has everything stuck in there. As such, it is an eyesore and tedious to clean. With all the clutter and necessary things looking equally messy, you have to prepare ahead for the task.
But even after your ready, things do not get overly smooth. You have to know what goes where, and other nitty gritties that make the job less cumbersome.
Two big mistakes that most of us make is to transfer things that are not necessary to other rooms, and to proceed with the actual cleaning before inspecting the floor thoroughly.
On that account, this article provides a step by step guide on how to prepare your garage for cleaning before diving into the actual cleaning steps.
Preparing Your Garage for Floor Cleaning
First off, you have to organize the room by separating junk from the things that are useful. If you have not cleaned your garage for 2 years plus, you probably need a pair of head phones and a collection of your favorite music. It will keep your mind engaged because typically, the job takes longer than anticipated.
Sorting
Begin sorting stuff from one corner. Empty boxes or some other storage organizers will come in handy at this stage. Separate the boxes into two. One category should be for the things you need, and the second one should free you up from hoarding.
Sometimes it is difficult to deal with the attachment to the things we have. In that case, think carefully of the value you get from the things you are tempted to keep but don’t need. If something is of little use, you can dispose it, at least, for the bucks.
If something is valuable to another member of your family, involve them in the process of decision making.
Clear all the way to door, until the entire room is sorted. This way, you will be left organizing only the things that are necessary.
Dusting
The most likely scenario is that you will dust things as you sort them. This is a good approach because it cuts down work that can seem repetitive.
However, you might still need to dust the walls and other things in the room after you are done sorting.
The best way to dust is by starting from the highest points of the room downwards. This helps ensure that all the dust comes to the floor.
Organizing
Now that you the boxes for the things to keep, decide whether you will have them inside garage while doing the cleaning.
In essence, it is better to move them outside as you move the ones that contain junk. This gives you more freedom as you clean the room.
Arrange everything else that does not require moving. Having everything in the right place while cleaning makes the process a lot easier.
Inspecting the Floor
A standard garage floor is made of concrete. Well-mixed concrete is solid and can withstand the weight of cars without developing cracks and holes. Further, it can take up messes such as grease, salt and all the gunk that comes with car tires.
That said, some people take a step further to spice up the appearance of their garage floors. Basically, this entails the use of finishes and coverings.
The most common floor coating for garage is epoxy. Besides aesthetical appeal, most users chose it for its strength and sealing capabilities. Further, it is non-slip and easy to clean.
Epoxy application is something that you can undertake as a DIY project. You only need to know the real product so that it can live up to the expectations.
An alternative to epoxy is paint. There are paints that are specifically designed for floors. They offer the desired appeal and some other features that are necessary for a garage floor.
Sometimes garage owners may prefer to go for coverings instead of coating. Another alternative is to have a covering on top of a coating. The most common coverings include tiles and mats.
While inspecting the floor, you should have all this in mind. This will affect the choice of your cleaning method and products.
How to Clean a Concreate Garage Floor
Concrete garage floors are very popular. That said, they are also prone to accumulating dust and dirt particles.
Further, they easily develop tough stains if grease, pet urine, paint, and automotive oil are left to dry after spillage. Another source of stains that do not come off easily is rusty metallic materials.
It is important to have this in mind before cleaning. It helps prepare for the process thoroughly.
Step 1: Sweeping
The very first step for cleaning your concrete garage floor is sweeping. Push lobby brooms are the best for sweeping garage floors. They feature heavy-duty bristles that can push heavy dirt without breaking.
In case some sections of your garage are covered, move the coverings as you sweep. Once you are done sweeping, collect the dirt with a dustpan and throw it in the trash.
Note: If your garage is too dusty, make sure that you wear a mask while vacuuming.
Step 2: Vacuuming (Optional)
Although vacuuming can be optional, it helps pick all the dirt and dust particles that sweeping cannot remove. Generally, a shop vac is the best for this kind of task.
An alternative to this is using a leaf blower. You need to open the doors and windows with this option. Also keep your lungs in mind and use the necessary protective gear.
Step 3: Remove Stains
Ideally, removing stains is the most time consuming step. For this reason, it is important to understand the kind stains you dealing with, and the best method to clean them.
Cleaning Fresh and Mild Oil Stains
Stains are easier to clean before they set in. Fresh stains require little elbow grease and regular cleaning solutions.
Degreaser
Use a degreaser if dealing with fresh or mild stains. Degreasers are excellent for cutting oil-based stains as well as rust. However, you have to identify a product that has been tried and tested for its effectiveness.
You can also opt for a homemade degreaser instead of a store bought product. You will need readily available products such as baking soda, lemon, borax and white distilled vinegar to make one.
To use a baking soda solution, mix a half cup of the powder with a half gallon water. Pour the solution on the floor and let it soak for a few minutes. Follow up by scrubbing the stains with a brush.
You can also mx baking soda, warm water and a few drops liquid soap. This solutions works effectively for fresh and mild stains, as well as for regular cleaning.
Another approach is to pour a reasonable amount of baking soda on a stain and scrub off the stain with a wet brush.
