9 Best Concrete Cleaners for 2022

You’re used to wiping counters and sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors to keep your house looking great, but have you ever thought about cleaning your concrete?

Driveways get oil stains, garage and shed floors weather various spills, and even sidewalks get discolored.

There are different types of concrete cleaners on the market, from mild to heavy-duty.

It’s important to make sure you’re informed before you take on such a cleaning task, and having the best concrete cleaner on hand is a helpful step.

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cleaning concrete brush

#1. GP66 Miracle Cleaner

GP66 Miracle Cleaner is an eco-friendly, highly rated concrete cleaner, but it goes well beyond that call of duty.

This multi-purpose solution is safe to get the grime off your grill and oven, de-grease your pots and pans, spruce up your fireplace, and can even be used to clean laminate floors.

Since you can use it on food surfaces, you know this product is not harmful to your family.

It is fragrance-free, so you don’t have to worry about the smell when you use it inside your home. The concrete cleaner comes as a concentrate you dilute with water depending on the severity of your stain.

You can also leave the cleaner on the surface for a longer time to ensure it will eliminate the stain.

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GP66 Green Miracle Cleaner, Gallon Cleans Over 1,000 Surface Types All-In-One Powerful NSF Approved
  • REMOVES THE TOUGHEST DIRT, GREASE, AND GRIME FROM JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ANYWHERE! GP66 is a water based and proprietary all in one cleaning solution initially developed for industrial use. Now, its in homes all across America.
  • MADE IN AMERICA, NSF APPROVED, NO ANIMAL TESTING
  • SUPER CONCENTRATED
  • ONE-DO-IT ALL SOLUTION! GP66 cleans ovens, carpets, pots and pans, concrete, brick, grout, laundry, equipment, microwaves, spray paint, grills, airway strips, graffitti, automobiles, floors, wine, blood, pet mess, tables, golf clubs, fireplaces, bacon grease, laminate floors, roofs, vinyl, glass, furniture, stove tops, walls, and more!
  • THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND POWERFUL FORMULA! When you clean with water and other detergents, you are not getting results because water is like a film that sits on top of a surface rather than penetrating through it. GP66 breaks the surface tension of water which allows GP to mix and emulsify your stain.

#2. All-Purpose Masonry & Concrete Cleaner

All-Purpose Masonry & Concrete Cleaner removes dirt, mold, mildew, and oil stains from concrete. As a bonus, the cleaner also works on bricks and mortar!

The 3-pound bucket will clean approximately 900 square feet of concrete.

After mixing the powder with water, you’ll have six gallons of cleaning product to use on your driveway, patio, sidewalks, and more.

This cleaner is non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about it killing your plants or harming your pets. You can spray the solution from a pressure washer or spread it over the surface and let it soak in to remove stains.

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GP66 Green Miracle Cleaner, Gallon Cleans Over 1,000 Surface Types All-In-One Powerful NSF Approved
  • REMOVES THE TOUGHEST DIRT, GREASE, AND GRIME FROM JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ANYWHERE! GP66 is a water based and proprietary all in one cleaning solution initially developed for industrial use. Now, its in homes all across America.
  • MADE IN AMERICA, NSF APPROVED, NO ANIMAL TESTING
  • SUPER CONCENTRATED
  • ONE-DO-IT ALL SOLUTION! GP66 cleans ovens, carpets, pots and pans, concrete, brick, grout, laundry, equipment, microwaves, spray paint, grills, airway strips, graffitti, automobiles, floors, wine, blood, pet mess, tables, golf clubs, fireplaces, bacon grease, laminate floors, roofs, vinyl, glass, furniture, stove tops, walls, and more!
  • THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND POWERFUL FORMULA! When you clean with water and other detergents, you are not getting results because water is like a film that sits on top of a surface rather than penetrating through it. GP66 breaks the surface tension of water which allows GP to mix and emulsify your stain.

#3. Oil Eater Original

As the name implies, Oil Eater Original will eat through the oil spills or greasy surfaces on your concrete. The product comes as a liquid concentrate, a dilution chart on the label that tells you how much water to mix with it.

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Use more or less water, depending on the severity of your concrete stains.

Oil Eater Original is non-abrasive and non-corrosive so that it won’t eat away at your concrete. The cleaner is also non-toxic and USDA approved for use on non-food surfaces.

Oil Eater Original 1 Gallon Cleaner, Degreaser - Dissolve Grease Oil and Heavy-Duty Stains – Professional Strength
  • Powerful Cleaning: Dissolves Grease, Oil And Dirt From Any Washable Surface
  • Usda Approved: For Use At Food Service Facilities (A1, A4, A8)
  • Biodegradable Formula: No Harsh Solvents And Is Noncorrosive
  • Ultra Concentrated: Use For Cleaning Floors, Walls, Driveways, Grills, Exhausts, Patios, Outdoor Furniture, Tile, Boats, Automotive Wheels, Laundry Prewash, Parts Cleaning, Tools And Carpet Stains

#4. ACT Concrete Cleaner

ACT Concrete Cleaner is an eco-friendly concrete cleaner that is safe to use around people, pets, and vegetation. Instead of breaking apart the grease or petroleum, ACT Concrete Cleaner eats the stains, converting them into carbon dioxide and water.

This method causes everything to evaporate without leaving residue. This cleaner can be used on plastic surfaces and won’t take the paint off of walls.

Unlike the previous concrete cleaners diluted with water and sprayed onto the stained surfaces, there’s a different method for using ACT Concrete Cleaner.

Sprinkle the powder on the stain, and then use a push broom or brush to work the powder into the affected area.

Dampen the powder with a spray bottle—don’t soak it with a hose!—and let it sit. As mentioned, this product will evaporate on its own, so there’s no need to hose down the area later.

ACT Concrete Cleaner 2.5lb
  • Easily cover an ugly oil stain in minutes - HOA approved! Simply apply product, sweep to cover the oil spot, mist with water, and your job is done! The microbes will start their work and begin eliminating the oil spill!
  • Works on most surfaces including patios, cement driveways, garage floors, sidewalks, pavers, masonry, decks - breaks down car oils, cooking oil, greases, antifreeze, and food stains without damaging the finish. Safe on painted, sealed, and dyed surfaces.
  • Safe to use around people, pets, and plants - Eco-Friendly! No pressure washing, no toxic chemicals, no bleach, and no hassle! Works in sub-zero temps and 200+ degrees! Uses nature's own process to break down oil stains.
  • Advanced Bio-Remediation - Uses a unique formula that provides the microbes everything needed to COMPLETELY break down oil stains. The CO2 is bound to the concrete leaving it stronger, and the beneficial hydrogen and oxygen evaporate away.
  • Takes 2-4 weeks to completely remove stubborn oil spills, and the product covers the stain from view during this time. Misting and adding additional cleaner speeds up the process. Made in USA. USDA Certified. EPA tested. 1lb covers 100sqft.

#5. TERMINATOR-HSD Concrete Cleaner

TERMINATOR-HSD Concrete Cleaner has an innovative, environmentally-friendly way to eliminate oil stains from your garage and driveway. While other cleaners might remove the oil from your concrete, the oil gets washed away into the sewer.

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This cleaner breaks down the stain and dissolves it into carbon dioxide and water, so there is no harm done to the environment.

TERMINATOR-HSD Concrete Cleaner is a powder that you apply to the affected areas and lightly mist with water.

There is no need to brush the powder into the concrete, use a pressure washer, or soak the surface with a hose!

Since this product uses no chemicals to break down the oil, it’s best to use it every week for a month to see the best results and let it work its magic.

ACT Concrete Cleaner 2.5lb
  • Easily cover an ugly oil stain in minutes - HOA approved! Simply apply product, sweep to cover the oil spot, mist with water, and your job is done! The microbes will start their work and begin eliminating the oil spill!
  • Works on most surfaces including patios, cement driveways, garage floors, sidewalks, pavers, masonry, decks - breaks down car oils, cooking oil, greases, antifreeze, and food stains without damaging the finish. Safe on painted, sealed, and dyed surfaces.
  • Safe to use around people, pets, and plants - Eco-Friendly! No pressure washing, no toxic chemicals, no bleach, and no hassle! Works in sub-zero temps and 200+ degrees! Uses nature's own process to break down oil stains.
  • Advanced Bio-Remediation - Uses a unique formula that provides the microbes everything needed to COMPLETELY break down oil stains. The CO2 is bound to the concrete leaving it stronger, and the beneficial hydrogen and oxygen evaporate away.
  • Takes 2-4 weeks to completely remove stubborn oil spills, and the product covers the stain from view during this time. Misting and adding additional cleaner speeds up the process. Made in USA. USDA Certified. EPA tested. 1lb covers 100sqft.

#6. EXIMO Waterless Concrete Cleaner

EXIMO Waterless Concrete Cleaner removes stains from your driveway and walkways while restoring the concrete’s natural color. EXIMO is another eco-friendly cleaner that uses bioremediation to break down petroleum and causes no chemical run-off.

EXIMO is probably one of the lowest effort concrete cleaners you can find. Sprinkle the powder on the stain and let it sit—no need to add any water, and no need to sweep it away!

This is safe to use around your kids, pets, and plants, but it works best on outdoor surfaces.

CAF Outdoor Cleaning EXIMO® Waterless Concrete Cleaner for Driveway, Garage, Basement, and Walkway Surfaces, 3 lbs, Advanced Stain Remover for Oils and Other Petroleum Stains
  • Restore Natural Concrete Color – This concrete cleaner uses microbes to break down hydrocarbon chains within petroleum oil to lift away deep concrete stains caused by gas, diesel, oil, grease, petroleum-based material and more.
  • Powerful and Environmentally Safe – EXIMO concrete cleaner solution is a natural, waterless formula that’s tough on stains but safe for surrounding plant life, grass, your family, and even pets for optimal home use.
  • Multipurpose Surface Cleaner – Our concrete surface cleaner can be used on a wide range of outdoor areas, including your driveway, sidewalks, parking lots, cement or concrete patios, entry stairs, pavers, and similar surfaces.
  • Wet or Dry Application – Easier to use than a pressure washer or power cleaner our concrete driveway can be applied on wet or dry surfaces. Just apply, leave on surface – no need to sweep up, or wash off.
  • Trusted Quality Satisfaction – Here at CAF Outdoor Cleaning we create the highest quality concrete cleaner possible which is why it comes backed by our responsive support and unbeatable customer assurance. Contact us with any questions.

#7. Simple Green Concrete and Driveway Cleaner

Simple Green Concrete and Driveway Cleaner is a cleaning product that eliminates oil spills and various stains from your driveway. The liquid concentrate can be used in power washing machines or diluted with water for manual application.

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For manual application, mix two cups of Simple Green Concrete and Driveway Cleaner with a gallon of water.

Brush it onto the surface you want to clean, and let it sit for five to ten minutes—but don’t allow it to dry!

After the allotted time, rinse the surface with a garden hose and then let it dry naturally. You’ll see results in no time!

Simple Green 18202 Concrete and Driveway Cleaner, 1 Gallon Bottle
  • Simple Green concrete and driveway cleaner is specially formulated to remove oil, grease and grime from concrete surfaces and driveway areas

#8. Chomp! Pull It Out Concrete Cleaner

Chomp! Pull It Out Concrete Cleaner does not use bleach, acid, or corrosive chemicals to clean away oil-based stains from concrete and brick. Pour the product onto the stain so it’s completely covered, and then let it dry.

Chomp! pulls out the stain, and then you brush away the powder that remains.

This cleaner uses a “poultice” formula that is guaranteed to work on more concrete, brick, and pavers than the average solutions.

Using this product will not only make the concrete surfaces around your home look better, it’ll also improve the safety of these areas by eliminating slippery oil spills.

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CHOMP! Concrete Oil Stain Remover: Pull It Out Removes and Cleans Oils, Greases from Garage Floors & Driveways 32 Fl Oz
  • INDUSTRY'S MOST POWERFUL OIL STAIN LIFTING FORMULA: Chomp! Pull It Out uses a deep penetrating formula to lift stains from porous flooring surfaces like concrete and brick. It is effective on oil or petroleum-based stains (transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc. ) commonly found on concrete and paver driveways, garage floors, parking lots, and drive-through lanes.
  • SIMPLE & SAFE: Unlike other stain removers that use harmful chemical compounds to attack tough oil and grease stains, Pull It Out stain remover helps to address these problems safely and simply. Although it goes a long way in removing difficult stains from concrete and other porous surfaces, Pull It Out does not contain bleach, acid, or other potentially hazardous materials.
  • EASY TO USE: This cleaning formula is convenient and easy to use. Simply pour a small amount of the formula onto any oil or petroleum-based stain to cover it and allow it to dry. As it dries, the Pull It Out formula draws out the contamination causing the stain. Once the cleaning formula is dry, you can easily brush it away like chalk dust, revealing a stain-free surface.
  • VERSATILE FORMULA: Concrete make up varies widely and oil stains may require different cleaning techniques. Pull It Out utilizes a 'poultice' technology and is effective across the widest variety of concrete conditions and types.
  • BETTER FOR YOUR HOME/BUSINESS: Oil stains on your driveway, garage floor, or other surfaces are not just detrimental to your home’s appearance. These stains can also hurt the value of your home or business. In order to help retain or even increase the value of your home, take care of these pesky stains with Chomp! Pull It Out Concrete Oil Stain Remover.

#9. Black Diamond Stoneworks

Black Diamond Stoneworks is a concrete cleaner that you can use on surfaces to boost their natural colors, even after the stain is gone! This is a pH neutral cleaner so that it can be used safely on polished concrete, tumbled stones, and porous surfaces.

To use Black Diamond Stoneworks cleaner, mix four ounces of the cleaning product with one gallon of water.

After doing a deep clean of your stained surfaces, you can use light applications of Black Diamond Stoneworks to touch up the appearance of your stone and concrete surfaces.

If you love how this cleaner works on your concrete surfaces, check out what else the brand has to offer!

Black Diamond Stoneworks provides various cleaners for different surfaces, including options for wood and laminate floors, granite countertops, marble, and tile.

Black Diamond Stoneworks Limestone and Travertine Floor Cleaner: Natural Stone, Marble, Slate, Polished Concrete, Honed or Tumbled Surfaces. Concentrated Ph. Neutral.1 Gallon
  • REGULAR USE WILL ENHANCE your stone's natural beauty, making colors more vivid.
  • WORKS GREAT ON POLISHED CONCRETE. Honed, tumbled and all porous surfaces.
  • PH NEUTRAL, BIODEGRADABLE will clean and protect your stone surfaces.
  • ONLY 4 OZ PER GALLON of water-Designed, tested and used by stone care professionals.
  • NATURALLY DERIVED INGREDIENTS- Safe for use around pets, children and the environment. fresh scent.

Types of Concrete Cleaners

In general, there are five different types of concrete cleaners. Though we’ve highlighted the nine best specific brands, the cleaner you ultimately pick will depend on what stains you need to remove, the type of concrete surface you’re cleaning, and how much work you want to put into the cleaning process and upkeep.

Regardless of the type of concrete cleaner you buy, make sure to safely store the container when it’s not in use.

Keep the lid firmly closed so nothing can get into your cleaning solution, whether it’s liquid or powder.

You also want to keep it tightly closed and stored securely in your shed, garage, or utility closet so it’s not exposed to the elements, which may cause its cleaning efficiency to deteriorate over time.

pH-Neutral Cleaners

Most pH-neutral cleaners are mild cleansers that work best on sealed concrete, as typically found with interior surfaces.

You can also use these cleaners on unsealed exterior concrete that doesn’t require a deep clean, such as cosmetic upkeep.

Typically, pH-neutral cleaners are sold as concentrates that you’ll mix with water and apply to the stained surface. This type of solution requires a bit of work—you have to scrub the surface, then clean and rinse it after.

It may take a few applications to eliminate the stain, but you can be confident that the cleaner won’t damage your stone.

These cleaners can be ordered from Amazon.com and are also easy to find in stores.

Acidic Cleaners

Acidic cleaners eliminate stains that are made by substances that have an acidic solution. This type of cleaner comes in both a concentrate or a ready-to-use formula.

If the stain is stubborn, you might have to work the product into the concrete or try multiple applications. You have to rinse the concrete with water from a hose after using acidic cleaners to neutralize the surface.

Once you remove tough stains using acidic cleaners, you should consider sealing the concrete to make stains less likely to occur in the future.

If they do occur, you’ll be able to use milder, pH-neutral cleaners to revitalize the treated concrete.

It’s easy to find acidic cleaners online at Amazon.com as well as in stores, but you must make sure you’re getting concrete-specific cleaners.

Lime Away and soap scum cleaners are readily available and claim to remove stains, but they are used on interior surfaces and don’t contain acid, so they’re not sufficient for concrete.

Alkaline Cleaners

Alkaline cleaners, also called concrete degreasers, are used to eliminate oil and grease stains from concrete. Since these cleaners have high alkalinity, the oil-based stains are broken down and easily cleaned away.

After applying the cleaner, you’ll have to clean up the broken-down oil stain from the surface and then wash away the residue to see the results.

Alkaline cleaners are concentrated, which makes them an incredibly affordable option—one gallon of the solution can be diluted into enough cleaner to treat over 4,000 square feet of concrete!

You can also safely use them undiluted on tougher stains, but it’s essential to give the cleaner enough time to penetrate the stain.

This might mean leaving the cleaner on the stain for a few hours or doing multiple treatments.

Concrete is naturally alkaline, so you can also use an alkaline cleaner on your concrete surface after using an acidic cleaner. This will restore your concrete to its natural state.

Enzymatic or Bacterial Cleaners

Enzymatic or bacterial cleaners can also be called “oxidation cleaners”, and the most common brand is OxiClean.

This cleaner uses active enzymes to break down stains, and include genetically engineered bacteria that focus on eating away oil, grease, and hydrocarbons.

These cleaners are pretty low maintenance because you don’t have to add water or wash them away after using them. Bacteria eat away at the stain until it’s gone, so once you apply it, leave it to work its magic.

This might take some time, though, so while you don’t have to put a lot of physical work into this type of cleaning, you do have to give it time to work.

If you let the enzymatic cleaner work for several hours or even days, and it still doesn’t eliminate the stain you targeted, don’t hesitate to start another application.

Some stains are stubborn, and there might not be a specific cleaner that will get rid of it immediately.

You can order enzymatic or bacterial cleaners online and have them safely shipped to your home, but they might be a bit harder to find in stores.

Hardware or janitorial stores might have some in stock, but make sure the brand you buy will target your specific stain and will work on concrete and not just interior surfaces like bathrooms and kitchens.

Specialty Cleaners

It might be possible that your stain is so unique and so stubborn that the previously mentioned cleaners don’t work as well as you had hoped. In that case, you might have to look into specialty cleaners.

Some specialty cleaners blend two or more of the above types of cleaner. These combination products might target specific stains, like rust or efflorescence.

Plus, some specialty cleaners might refresh your concrete so you can apply a sealant or prevent cracks.

You can find specialty cleaners online at Amazon.com, but make sure you read the ingredients and specific purpose carefully to get the right cleaner for your stain.

No matter how bad the stain, there’s a product out there that can tackle the job, and the above picks are the best concrete cleaners available.

FAQs

Here are a few common questions about concrete cleaners and how to choose the best one.

What is the best product to clean concrete?

The best concrete cleaner will address the stains your concrete has and its natural composition.

Depending on whether your concrete is sealed or is indoors or out, you’ll need to shop around for a product that meets your unique needs.

How can I make my concrete white again?

Getting your concrete bright-white again requires a cleansing solution specific to whatever stain is on the surface. For oil stains, alkaline cleaners can be effective.

Enzymatic options can also be helpful for set-in stains that scrubbing can’t remove.

What is the best chemical for pressure washing concrete?

Plenty of products promise to help pressure wash your concrete to its original cleanliness, but we like All-Purpose Masonry & Concrete Cleaner because it’s non-toxic and can also clean up bricks and mortar.

What can I use to clean a concrete driveway?

There are plenty of cleaning options to clean your concrete driveway, and we’ve listed some of the best ones here.

However, if your driveway runoff winds up in a neighborhood water source, you’ll probably want an eco-friendly option like ACT Concrete Cleaner to remove stains and spruce up your concrete.