Question: How do I remove the salt stains on my garage floor? Last winter they used a lot of salt. I have tried rinsing it with the hose and brushing it with a stiff broom, but the stains are still there.
Answer: Last year I tried power washing the garage floor, and I can tell you that does not work very well. This year I did a little research and was able to discover a secret solution that only a few people know about.
The first thing you want to do is to sweep the garage thoroughly to remove all the loose sand and dirt and to highlight where the salt stains need to be worked on. Now for the secret solution. In a gallon container put in one cup of vinegar and two tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Top off the solution with warm water. You now have one gallon of the secret solution.
Pour enough solution on two or three salt stains to completely wet them and scrub vigorously with a very stiff brush. For best results pick up the salt contaminated solution with a wet vac. If a wet vac is not available, use a mop to pick up as much water as possible. Now rinse these areas with a hose. The wet vac or mop are used to prevent the salty solution from being dispersed back into the pores of the concrete when you rinse it. This is why just rinsing with warm water to remove salt is not very effective. For particularly tough salt stains it may require another application or two.
Proceed to the next salt stains and repeat this process. When you have finished removing all of the salt stains hose down the whole floor and sweep the water out with a stiff floor broom.
Once the salt is removed, now is the time to repair any pitting or spalling that may have occurred from the deicing fluids. Polymer modified cements work well for this. They bond much better than regular cement and create a stronger finish that can be feathered much thinner. Regular cement patch will not adhere well to the surface and can chip or break away.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com
