Remember when you first moved into your home, and your driveway was brand new? Your driveway has probably collected a few stains over the years, and keeping it white has proven to be difficult.
Fortunately, there are several ways to clean your driveway, and many of them involve everyday household items. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may find yourself trapped at home with little to do, so now is the perfect time to clean your concrete. Read on to learn how.
The Importance of Keeping Your Driveway Clean
Cleaning your driveway might be the last thing on your mind, especially during these trying times, but if you have spare time, you should take advantage and clean. Driveways require the same amount of love and care you give the rest of your home. A well-maintained one enhances your home’s curb appeal, boosting your property’s value.
Find out how you can clean your driveway to make it look good as new.
Bleach, Soap, and Water Mixture
Combine bleach, soap, and water to make a powerful cleanser. If you can find a bleach made exclusively for outdoor use, use it instead of household bleach. Mix one cup of bleach with one cup of powdered laundry detergent, then add 15 cups of hot water. Pour your mixture over your driveway’s dirty areas, such as the parts that contain oil stains.
Work your mixture in using a bristle brush and scrub for approximately 20 minutes. Once you finish, set your garden hose sprayer to high pressure and wash away the solution.
An Unlikely Solution: Kitty Litter Poultice
You probably thought kitty litter only has one use, but you can also use it as a cleaning agent by turning it into a poultice. A poultice is a paste-like solution, which you can create by mixing old-fashioned kitty litter with water.
Yes, the litter must be old-fashioned because newer litter (also known as scoopable litter) contains synthetic ingredients that aren’t effective for cleaning because they aren’t absorbent. In contrast, old-fashioned litters are clay-based, making them far more effective at picking up grease and dirt.
Sprinkle the litter onto your concrete’s dark spots and add water to form a thick paste. Work it into your concrete using a stiff brush, and allow it to dry. The drying process collects the dirt into the poultice by lifting it out of the concrete. Once your mixture dries, rinse it off with a garden hose.
Try a Turpentine and Lime Poultice
If you don’t have a bag of kitty litter lying around, you can create a mineral turpentine and lime mixture. Mix one part lime with two parts of turpentine to form a paste and spread it on the stained parts of your concrete. Cover your mixture with a plastic bag and allow it to sit for a full day. Use rocks to hold down the bag to prevent it from flying away.
Once 24 hours pass, scrub your mixture into the concrete with a stiff brush. Use your hose’s hard spray setting to wash away the poultice.
Bored of Your Concrete? Hard Rock Concrete Coatings Can Help
Cleaning your driveway can make the rest of your house also appear brand new, but what if you want to stand out from your neighbors? The experts at Hard Rock Concrete Coatings specialize in epoxy coatings, acid staining, waterproof decking, and more. Contact us today to learn more.
