How to clean a painted concrete patio or porch
Last year I repainted our concrete porch. It held up great over the winter but even though it is a covered porch, it is exposed to the elements. Snow, rain, mold, mud/dirt, leaves, animals, and foot traffic can affect the appearance and cleanliness of your porch or patio. Since the painted surface can be unsealed though, it is important to use the right cleaning method and harsh cleaners can do more damage than good. So this past week, we had a warm day and I tackled the job. Today, I want to show you how to clean a painted concrete patio or porch.
Painting a concrete porch is actually not as complicated as it sounds and you should check out my post. I’ve done it twice now and it added such charm to the overall look. I have zero regrets! The photos speak volumes, I think! You be the judge.
If you are new to my blog, the first time I gave our concrete front porch a makeover, it was in black and white stripes. Such a different look compared to what it is now. Both paint jobs never had any chips or cracks.
Below is the porch this spring, after the first winter since painting it in the checkerboard pattern. Over the winter we store the vintage rattan sofa in the garage. The bench will go back on the back patio for the summer but first I will refinish it. I already wrote a blog post about how to clean and restore teak outdoor furniture. Check it out!
You can tell that the paint is in good shape. There are no chips or scratches to the checkerboard pattern but it definitely needs a good cleaning.
How to clean a painted concrete patio or porch
I always worry about my surrounding plants and soil too and that’s another reason that I don’t want to use any harsh cleaners. When I prepped my painted concrete for re-painting last spring, I covered all my surrounding flower beds and soil with a tarp. I wasn’t able to skip this step of using a harsh cleaner because it is crucial for dulling and prepping the old paint for a new layer of paint. You really could see a difference in what the cleaner did to the painted surface.
I definitely didn’t want to repeat that just to clean it after winter, because these solutions can be abrasive and cause damage to the paint or your surrounding plants.
If you choose to use a harsh cleaner (or chemicals) for a specific reason then make sure to seal the painted concrete surface again after cleaning to protect your painted finish.
I have seen others use white vinegar to clean a painted concrete surface but I personally can’t stand the smell of vinegar (although I love it in my food) and it is also very acidic which again I didn’t want to subject my painted concrete or plants to.
Definitely try to stay away from bleach, ammonia, or any highly acidic substance on painted, polished, or stamped concrete floors.
One more thing, I have used a pressure washer already as well on the previously painted concrete which worked fine but is risky since it can chip the paint. I was lucky that it didn’t but it’s better to use something gentler instead if you are unsure about how durable your painted surface is.
Supplies I used to clean the painted concrete
- dawn dish detergent (also gets rid of grease stains) or castile soap
- bucket
- scrub brush or long handle scrub brush (if you aren’t confident in your paint job then try to use a gentler mop instead to test out the painted surface)
- broom
- magic eraser (optional for spot cleaning)
- garden hose
To refresh your memory or if you are new around here, below is my video about how I painted the porch floor, or check out the entire tutorial about painting a concrete porch. Also, read more about the best paint for a concrete porch.
Instructions on how to clean a painted concrete floor
You couldn’t really tell from far away how dirty the concrete actually was.
But the below close-up really shows how much dirt had gotten into all the crevices.
Let me tell you more about all the steps I took to get it cleaned…
Step 1: Remove all furniture and use a broom to sweep off any loose debris
I brushed off any loose dirt and debris because I didn’t want to risk rubbing more wet dirt onto the painted surface. It’s not crucial but I find it helpful.
Step 2: Mix dish detergent and water in a bucket
I like using slightly warm water when mixing the dish detergent with water in the bucket.
Step 3: Use long handle scrub brush and soapy water to scrub the painted concrete
Dump the warm soapy water onto your painted concrete patio or porch in sections at a time and gently scrub the solution on the entire surface. Use more pressure where you see stains.
Step 4: Hose off the soapy water
Use a hose to gently wash off the soapy water. I like not blasting the water so the soap doesn’t get all over my plants.
Step 5: Spot clean in areas that need more cleaning
After the painted concrete dried, look at the surface again. If you see more stains and dirt, either scrub again with soapy water or gently use a magic eraser for those areas. I have seen great results with that. Just don’t overdo it to not scuff up the paint.
Step 6: Hose off again
Now gently hose off everything again and let it dry. You should now have a clean painted surface once again. And since I didn’t use a harsh cleaner, I didn’t need to seal my painted concrete!
Note: When I felt confident after scrubbing my paint, I actually ended up testing out our pressure washer to hose off the soap. Don’t do this if you don’t feel confident in your painted concrete. Simply use a regular garden hose. (In case you are wondering, this is the pressure washer we have and love)
Photos of painted concrete porch after cleaning
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Below is a full view of our painted concrete porch when it was still wet.
I have to mention that the white isn’t a clean bright white anymore. Both tan and white actually have variations in the paint now which I welcome. The reason for that is the fact that this makes the checkerboard pattern look more like a stone/ceramic tile now versus the crisp and clean paint job from last summer. It is hard to show you in photos though.
After that, I placed our favorite vintage rattan sofa back on the porch. It still looks so sad without all the plants and no leaves on the tree yet. I can’t wait until it gets warm enough to put all my plants back outside. They just thrive out here!
You can also see my front door and storm door paint job from last fall which held up great. I treat terracotta colors as a neutral at the moment and they go so well with different shades of dark green which you can see in the shutters, floor, and front door.
Maya supervised everything from start to finish. She’s the best! Her birthday was actually on Saturday and she turned 7. When we adopted her from the shelter she was 11 months old and had been there since being a tiny kitten. I can’t believe that nobody scooped her up sooner. Usually, kittens don’t have to grow up at a shelter and are the first to get adopted but not her. It might have been the fact that she had crusty dirty eyes and a runny nose. I just mentioned in one of my latest blog posts that we only recently were able to get rid of her runny nose and sneezing.
And I always love to show an image of what the porch originally looked like before all the makeovers.
I’m just so glad that I decided to paint the concrete and keeping that paint job clean is also a breeze.
Common mistakes to avoid when cleaning painted concrete surfaces
Let’s finish this blog post today by summing it all up with a couple of points that I mentioned already. If you avoid these common mistakes then you should be able to effectively clean your painted concrete surfaces without damaging the paint.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners or tools
Abrasive cleaners or tools such as wire brushes, steel wool, or sandpaper can scratch or damage the paint on your concrete surface. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush or a non-abrasive cleaning solution. That’s why I also mentioned that you should be careful with a magic eraser.
Neglecting to test a cleaning solution
Before applying a cleaning solution to your painted concrete surface, it is important to test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that it does not damage the paint.
Avoid using hot water
Hot water can cause the paint to blister or peel off your concrete surface. Use cold or lukewarm water instead.
Don’t allow cleaning solutions to sit on the surface for too long
If you allow a cleaning solution to sit on your painted concrete surface for too long, it can damage the paint. Follow the instructions on the cleaning product and rinse the surface thoroughly after cleaning. (and remember to protect your plants)
Too much pressure when rinsing can cause damage
A pressure washer can remove the paint from your concrete surface. Use a garden hose or a low-pressure nozzle to rinse the surface if you are unsure.
Avoid using bleach or acidic cleaners
Chlorine bleach and acidic cleaners can damage the paint on your concrete surface. Use a pH-neutral cleaner instead.
Neglecting to rinse the surface thoroughly
After cleaning your painted concrete surface, it is important to rinse it thoroughly to remove any cleaning solution or dirt that may be left behind.
Next, we will tackle the mulching in our front yard and the extensive mulching in our back yard. It’s always so much work but fresh mulch makes such a big difference.
Tschüß,
How to clean a painted concrete patio or porch
Let me show you how I quickly cleaned our painted concrete porch with these easy-to-follow steps and tips to make it look freshly painted and new.
Instructions
- Remove all furniture and use a broom to sweep off any loose debris
Brush off any loose dirt and debris because you don't want to risk rubbing more wet dirt onto the painted surface. It's not crucial but I find it helpful. - Mix dish detergent and water in a bucket
Use slightly warm water when mixing the dish detergent with water in the bucket. - Use long handle scrub brush and soapy water to scrub the painted concrete
Dump the warm soapy water onto your painted concrete patio or porch in sections at a time and gently scrub the solution on the entire surface with a long-handle scrub brush. Use more pressure where you see stains. - Hose off the soapy water
Use a hose to gently wash off the soapy water. I like not blasting the water so the soap doesn't get all over my plants. - Spot clean in areas that need more cleaning
After the painted concrete dried, look at the surface again. If you see more stains and dirt, either scrub again with soapy water or gently use a magic eraser for those areas. I have seen great results with that. Just don't overdo it to not scuff up the paint. - Hose off again
Now gently hose off everything again and let it dry. You should now have a clean painted surface once again. And no harsh cleaner was used, you don't need to seal the painted concrete!
Notes
- Abrasive cleaners or tools such as wire brushes, steel wool, or sandpaper can scratch or damage the paint on your concrete surface. Instead, use a soft-bristled brush or a non-abrasive cleaning solution.
- Before applying a cleaning solution to your painted concrete surface, it is important to test it on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that it does not damage the paint.
- Hot water can cause the paint to blister or peel off your concrete surface. Use cold or lukewarm water instead.
- If you allow a cleaning solution to sit on your painted concrete surface for too long, it can damage the paint. Follow the instructions on the cleaning product and rinse the surface thoroughly after cleaning.
- A pressure washer can remove the paint from your concrete surface. Use a garden hose or a low-pressure nozzle to rinse the surface if you are unsure.
- Chlorine bleach and acidic cleaners can damage the paint on your concrete surface. Use a pH-neutral cleaner instead.
- After cleaning your painted concrete surface, it is important to rinse it thoroughly to remove any cleaning solution or dirt that may be left behind.
Perfect timing as this is on my list to do soon! Thanks for the tips.
Good luck Donna. Hope the tips help.
Did I miss how much dish detergent to use?
Hi Peggy, I didn’t give details on that since I have a small concrete porch and a larger squirt was enough. If you are cleaning a larger area than mine you’ll certainly need more. Good thing is that you can’t really get this wrong. It’s like doing the dishes. Good luck!
Great tips on cleaning a painted concrete patio! Your step-by-step instructions are clear and practical, making it easy to maintain a patio that looks fresh and vibrant. Thanks for sharing such valuable information!