Cleaning an Ontario Garage Floor
Ontario garage floors face a specific set of challenges that garage floors in milder climates don't: road salt and sand tracked in during winter months, freeze-thaw cycling that can damage unsealed concrete, oil and fluid stains from vehicles, and the general grime accumulation of a working garage. A proper garage floor clean once or twice a year significantly extends the life of the concrete and makes the space more functional.
What You'll Need
- Stiff-bristle push broom or shop vacuum
- Concrete degreaser (available at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, or Rona)
- Scrub brush with a long handle
- Garden hose or pressure washer (a pressure washer makes the job significantly easier)
- Kitty litter or absorbent compound for fresh oil spills
Step-by-Step Method
- Clear and sweep: Remove everything from the garage floor. Sweep thoroughly with a push broom, then vacuum up fine dust and salt residue
- Treat oil stains first: Apply concrete degreaser directly to oil stains and let dwell 10–15 minutes. Scrub with a stiff brush. For old, set-in stains, a second application may be needed
- Apply degreaser overall: Dilute per the product instructions and apply across the floor. Let dwell 5–10 minutes
- Scrub: Work section by section with the scrub brush
- Rinse: Pressure wash or hose from the back of the garage toward the door, directing water and debris outside
- Dry: Leave the door open and allow to air-dry completely (at least a few hours)
Sealing
If your concrete is unsealed or the seal is worn, a concrete sealer applied after a thorough clean significantly improves stain resistance and makes future cleaning easier. Timing: late spring or early fall, when temperatures are above 10°C and stable.