How to Clean a Garage Floor
Toronto garage floors accumulate a specific combination of contaminants: road salt and sand tracked in during winter, engine oil drips, tire marks, and general grime. Spring garage floor cleaning is a common task after a Toronto winter. Here's how to handle the most common issues.
Road Salt and Sand
Spring is the right time to address salt residue from winter driving:
- Sweep the floor thoroughly first to remove loose sand and debris
- Mix a solution of hot water and dish soap (or TSP substitute — available at Home Depot) in a bucket
- Apply to the floor with a stiff-bristled push broom, scrubbing in sections
- Rinse thoroughly — a garden hose with good pressure directed toward the garage door opening works well. Avoid directing water toward the walls.
- Allow to dry completely — leave the garage door open on a dry day
Salt residue that has been left for months can etch concrete and cause the characteristic white powdery efflorescence. Muriatic acid solution (diluted, follow the label) neutralizes this, but requires protective gear and careful rinsing.
Oil Stains
Fresh oil stains (days old):
- Absorb fresh oil with cat litter, baking soda, or commercial oil absorbent — pour a thick layer over the stain, leave overnight, sweep up
- Apply dish soap directly to the remaining stain, scrub with a stiff brush, rinse
Old oil stains (months old):
- Commercial degreasers like Simple Green or Purple Power mixed at high concentration — apply, let dwell 15 minutes, scrub with a stiff brush, rinse
- For very stubborn old stains: products specifically formulated for oil stain removal on concrete (Oil Eater, Zout) work by using bacteria to consume the oil
- Pressure washing after applying degreaser dramatically improves results for oil stains
Tire Marks
Tire marks are rubber residue from hot tires depositing compound on the cooler floor. Use an all-purpose degreaser and a stiff brush — scrub thoroughly, rinse.
Sealing After Cleaning
Once the floor is clean and dry, applying a concrete sealer prevents future staining and makes ongoing cleaning much easier. Oil and salt residue bead up on sealed concrete rather than penetrating. Apply with a roller after the floor is fully dry (wait 24–48 hours after cleaning).
Book a Maidless deep clean at maidless.ca — 4.9★, 100+ reviews, vetted cleaners across Toronto.