How To Clean A Dusty Concrete Basement Floor? [Plus Tips to Reduce Dust Buildup]

A clean concrete basement floor can prevent certain allergies and provide an overall pleasant experience to homeowners and guests. So how can you remove dust and ensure cleanliness on your concrete basement floor? We researched and consulted with different experts, and here’s what we found.

Eliminating dust from the concrete basement floor is a reasonably straightforward household job. The steps to complete this procedure are:

1. Wear protective gear to prevent allergic reactions and other health issues.
2. Pour warm water on the concrete and let it sit.
3. Sweep the floor and vacuum the surface.
4. Let the basement floor dry.

Take note that the steps mentioned above are often ideal for routine maintenance. Therefore, the steps can become different if you need to eliminate relatively hard-to-remove spots and stains from the concrete material. So continue reading as we tackle cleaning your concrete basement floor in greater detail.

How Do You Clean A Concrete Basement Floor?

Routine cleaning for a concrete basement floor may not require special tools. Most of the items required for this operation might already be in your home. Here are the things to procure and steps to follow to complete this task:

What You’ll Need

• Face mask or respirator
• Bucket with warm water
• Mop
• Wet/dry vacuum
• Sponges or cloths

Step-by-Step Guide

Before proceeding, make sure to exercise caution and safety since dust can become airborne while cleaning the basement floor. Once you wear your safety gear, you can proceed to the next step:

1. Pour the warm water on the concrete surface. Make sure to apply the water on the floor evenly. If you see water pooled in one location, spread it with a mop.
2. Wait for the water to sit for about 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Wring out the mop if it is still wet. Then, use it to clean the concrete floor.
4. Suck out the water and the accompanying dust with the wet/dry vacuum.
5. Leave the basement to let the floor air dry.

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Tips To Reduce Dust In The Basement

Dust can reenter the basement despite your diligence in practicing routine cleaning techniques. But you use the following items to help reduce the number of dirty particulates entering the subterranean space:

Add Microfiber Cloths To Your Cleaning Supplies

It might be tempting to use an old cotton shirt to clean surfaces in the basement. Despite its breathability, cotton generally pushes dirt and debris rather than picking it up. On the other hand, microfiber cloths are usually highly absorbent, making them better choices than cotton in cleaning your basement and other areas of your home.

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Equip Your Vacuum With A HEPA Filter

Vacuuming with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can theoretically eliminate about 99.97% of airborne particulates, including (but not limited to) bacteria, mold, and dust. A vacuum cleaner with this special filter often does a better job in keeping surfaces clean for extended periods than many conventional models.

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Run An Air Purifier

Investing in a reliable air purifier can help catch dust that flies into your basement. Like buying a vacuum cleaner, an air purifier with a HEPA filter can be more effective in preventing dust from gathering in the space. You should also pay attention to the location of this appliance. For instance, placing the air purifier at the center of the basement is better than putting it in a corner.

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Consider Roller Shade Window Treatments

Window treatments can get dirty, but traditional blinds might often be more challenging to clean than other options. Therefore, if you're living in a particularly dusty area, it might be a good choice to swap your blinds with roller shades. Synthetic curtains may also be another good option if you're not keen on using roller shades.

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How Do You Remove Stains From A Concrete Floor?

The first step to eliminating stains is to verify the type of mess. You may have trouble removing paint from a concrete floor if you’re using cleaning solutions for oil.

The different instructions below will help you deal with different types of spots and stains on concrete floors:

Remove Oil Stains From Concrete

Some property owners use their basements as extra garages for certain vehicles. If so, splashes of oil on the concrete floor can become a common occurrence. Attack these stains by applying the following steps:

1. Soak up as much of the oil with a cloth, mop, or towel before it penetrates the floor.
2. Pour clay on the stain. Spread the substance with a broom, brush, or another piece of cloth if needed.
3. Leave the product on top of the stain for about an hour. Think about letting it sit overnight if the oil spot or stain is fairly old.
4. Sweep the mess after it cures and the oil stain should be gone.

Remove Paint Stains From Concrete

Remodeling the basement can often leave paint stains on the floor. You'll need thinner mixed with absorbing agents like baby powder. Combine these items in a bucket until the substance has a paste-like consistency. Then, move to the next step:

1. Smear the mixture on the paint stain with a brush or sponge. Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
2. Remove the paste with a plastic paint scraper. Doing so should also take away some of the loose paint.
3. If paint remains on the concrete floor, apply more paint thinner onto the stain. Then, leave it for about an hour before scraping it off.
4. Rinse the floor with a hose to clean the surface.

Remove Pet Droppings From Concrete

Your cat or dog might decide to use the concrete floor in your basement as their new toilet. If so, here’s how you can remove the stains left behind by your pet’s excrements:

1. Sweep away the loose droppings with a stiff broom.
2. Scrape off the dry and sticky residue with a poop scooper or metal shovel.
3. Mix your preferred liquid dish detergent and baking soda into a gallon of water.
4. Stir thoroughly and pour the mixture over the offending area.
5. Scrub the stain with a nylon brush until it disappears.
6. Rinse the concrete floor with a hose.

Does Bleach Damage Concrete Floors?

Homeowners can use bleach to clean concrete floors without the worry of damaging these surfaces. This cleaning solution generally doesn't have sufficient potency to deal significant harm to concrete. For example, it’s possible to remove oil stains by pre-washing concrete floors with bleach before following up with a pressure washer.

Can You Clean An Unsealed Concrete Floor?

It’s possible to clean an unsealed concrete floor, albeit achieving satisfying results may require more time and effort than tidying up its sealed counterpart. Take note that unsealed concrete is porous, which often invites dust, stains, and other filth.

Here’s a quick guide on how to clean an unsealed interior concrete floor:

1. Sweep the floor to remove loose dirt and debris.
2. Mix three tablespoons of washing soda and a gallon of warm water in a reasonably large bucket.
3. Soak a mop in the bucket and mop the floor around the space, starting from one corner.
4. If needed, refill the bucket with warm water.
5. Repeat until the area is clean.

Final Words

Cleaning a dusty concrete basement floor shouldn’t be significantly difficult do. Routine care for the surface generally only requires tools like warm water, a broom or Swiffer sweeper, and a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

On the other hand, removing stains from a concrete floor can be more laborious than regular maintenance. Figuring out the type of stain is important so you’ll know how to tackle the mess. If successful, you can enjoy dirt- and spot-free concrete basement floor.

For more basement cleaning and tidying tips, read these posts:

How To Get Rid Of Sewer Smell In Basement Bathroom?

Can You Fix A Leaky Basement From The Inside?