dslreports logo
 
    All Forums Hot Topics Gallery
spc
Search similar:


uniqs
7862
sparks
join:2001-07-08
Little Rock, AR

sparks

Member

trying to clean a concrete front porch

I tried some of the concrete cleaners.
Did nothing.
Then I tried a 2000 psi power washer.
still a stained mess. It looks like dirt.
ok it looks like its stained by dirt so it has a light brown blotchy color.

then someone said try this but JUST use a little it will kill plants and shrubs.

The Works Toilet Bowl Cleaner
I put a small amount on one corner and after about 1 minute of foaming action I washed it off with tons of water.
The concrete looked like new.

Anyone know of a safe for plants cleaner that will work?

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

alkizmo

Member

hehe, powerful cleaner that's safe for plants? A hard brissled brush!

I can't imagine a strong cleaner that isn't toxic.
XXXXXXXXXXX1
Premium Member
join:2006-01-11
Beverly Hills, CA

XXXXXXXXXXX1

Premium Member

said by alkizmo:

hehe, powerful cleaner that's safe for plants? A hard brissled brush!

I can't imagine a strong cleaner that isn't toxic.

I've had really good luck with Castrol SuperClean and some elbow grease... I use that stuff to clean almost everything around the house, and it's environmentally friendly!

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

alkizmo

Member

said by XXXXXXXXXXX1:

it's environmentally friendly!

Just because it's biodegradable doesn't mean it isn't toxic to plants.

Salt technically is not harmful to the environment, but it kills plants.
Same with vinegar, baking soda, etc. Spraying or watering plants with it will kill them
XXXXXXXXXXX1
Premium Member
join:2006-01-11
Beverly Hills, CA

XXXXXXXXXXX1

Premium Member

said by alkizmo:

said by XXXXXXXXXXX1:

it's environmentally friendly!

Just because it's biodegradable doesn't mean it isn't toxic to plants.

Salt technically is not harmful to the environment, but it kills plants.
Same with vinegar, baking soda, etc. Spraying or watering plants with it will kill them

Very true! But I've washed things directly on the grass with SuperClean, and I can't remember a time when the grass in that spot died.

cowboyro
Premium Member
join:2000-10-11
CT

cowboyro to alkizmo

Premium Member

to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:

Salt technically is not harmful to the environment, but it kills plants.
Same with vinegar, baking soda, etc. Spraying or watering plants with it will kill them

Japanese knotweed apparently has no idea about it...

Spork35
join:2011-07-13
Methuen, MA

Spork35

Member

said by cowboyro:

said by alkizmo:

Salt technically is not harmful to the environment, but it kills plants.
Same with vinegar, baking soda, etc. Spraying or watering plants with it will kill them

Japanese knotweed apparently has no idea about it...

Most ivy has no idea either....

Ken
MVM
join:2003-06-16
Markle, IN

Ken to sparks

MVM

to sparks
The works is acid, and masonry is usually cleaned with muratic acid. But yeah it's going to kill any plants.

tp0d
yabbazooie
Premium Member
join:2001-02-13
Bulger, PA

tp0d

Premium Member

First off, 2000psi aint gonna cut it. For cement work, 3000 is the minimum..

Ive used these before with good results, see if a local tool rental has em..

»www.ultimatewasher.com/p ··· s.htm#12

good luck

-j

alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC

1 edit

alkizmo

Member

tp0d, would a 3000 PSI pressure washer work with the standard hose for typical cement cleaning?

Those attachments look nice, but are quite expensive. Renting them can do for a once a year thing, but if you want to clean your driveway, patio, garage, etc several times a year, then buying a 3000psi pressure washer seems more affordable... without those attachments you linked.

Yeah I'm shopping for a pressure washer, it is the season

norton
join:2005-08-03
Howard City, MI
·T-Mobile

norton to sparks

Member

to sparks
We are deep in the woods and have a brick house - we use cider vinegar or bleach. (not at same time)

Put a 30% solution in a pump sprayer and wet area down - let it work in for a few minutes then power wash and use a stiff brush to work on tough areas
sparks
join:2001-07-08
Little Rock, AR

sparks

Member

Thanks everyone I am going to try some different things.
Pressure washer I rented it from home depot and all they have is 2000 units, at least the store near me.

3 from sears and all of them were junk.
1) froze up after running about 10 minutes. Left side of engine was nice and shiny the other side was golden. Heat like a blow tourch so bad build.
2) replacement would not start...I wore myself out and nothing
3) replacement with high end unit. run until out of gas would not start again the manufacture (called them) how long did you let it sit and cool down. OVERNIGHT.. ok its bad take it back.
I gave up on owning a pressure washers at that point.

Savant
Premium Member
join:2001-08-12
Toronto

Savant to tp0d

Premium Member

to tp0d
said by tp0d:

First off, 2000psi aint gonna cut it. For cement work, 3000 is the minimum..

^^This.

I have a ~2000psi pressure washer, but that didn't touch it. I rented a 3500psi gas-powered unit and went to town on my front porch. Still not perfect, but way better than what it used to be.