How Often Should You Clean Your Garage Floors (And Tips To Get It Done)

Cleaning your garage floor might not be at the top of your to-do list, but removing dust, dirt, and spilled oil from the concrete will help maintain it. As for how often you should be cleaning your garage floor, it depends on the job. While it may not need to be thoroughly cleaned often, it's important to sweep up dirt and debris every few months. A deep clean, including mopping, meanwhile, can be done just once every year. On the other hand, if you notice fluid has leaked out of your car, cleaning up the spill quickly will help keep the oil from staining the concrete surface.

With a broom or shop vacuum, you can easily clear your garage floor and prevent debris from scratching the concrete as you're cleaning. However, if you don't have a shop vac, it's better to sweep rather than try to use a regular vacuum, as the intense dirt could hurt the filter. In the winter, sweeping regularly could prevent ice-melting salt from damaging the floor.

For a quick clean, simply use a shop vac or sweep up any dirt. If you have time, dusting the shelves, walls, and ceiling first will knock any cobwebs and debris to the floor before you clean it. To do a deeper clean, start by moving everything off the garage floor. The dirt can then be swept right out the door or into a dustpan. You can also use a leaf blower to loosen any debris that's stuck in the corners of the garage or underneath shelving.

Once most of the loose dirt is gone, the floor will need to be mopped with water and a cleaner that removes grease. One easy way to make your own solution is to pour a little dish soap into a bucket and fill it with hot water. You could also purchase a cleaner and degreaser, like this Simple Green from Amazon. Once you've mopped the floor, let the solution sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing the area with a brush or scrub mop. Rinse the floor with water when finished and leave it to dry. If it's taking a long time for the water to evaporate, you can put fans in the garage.

For garage floors that are covered in oil stains, you'll likely need to start treating them before cleaning the rest of the floor. Surprisingly, sawdust and kitty litter soak up oil and remove greasy stains. Pour the litter or sawdust onto recent oil spills or old stains and let it sit. Fresh spills will be absorbed and can be swept up quickly, while the absorbent may need to stay on older stains for a day or two.

Once the sawdust or litter has done its job, you can sweep it up while cleaning the rest of the floor. Rust stains will need to be scrubbed with either an oxalic cleaner, such as Rust Away, or a mixture of water and trisodium phosphate. The latter cleaner will need to set on the stain for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing it away. If there are areas of mold or mildew, try combining 1 part bleach with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and applying it to the stain. Let the bleach sit for up to 30 minutes before rinsing the floor thoroughly.