How to Wash Basement Flooring

Your basement flooring may be fully carpeted, or if the basement has not been finished, then it is likely a concrete floored basement. A concrete basement floor is usually good for storage and for workshop areas. It sometimes accumulates mold, mildew and dust and begins to look white or dirty. As you walk along your basement floor, you will end up tracking this dust and dirt throughout the house. It is possible to clean a basement floor. Cleaning the basement floor requires little mechanical skill, but does require a good deal of time. If you follow these directions from start to finish, you will end up with a clean, fresh smelling basement floor.

Step 1 - Clear Your Basement

Clear your basement of all objects, including furniture and boxes. If you need help, enlist the services of a friend or family member. Put the items that were on your basement floor away. Store them until your basement is completely dry, at the end or completion of your project.

Step 2 - Sweep the Floor

To prepare the floor appropriately, sweep the floor completely. Using a dust pan, pick up any debris, dust or small particles. This includes all dirt, all dust, hair (such as from your cat or dog) and loose coins.

Step 3 - Clean with Bleach and Water

Mix about 1 cup of bleach with a gallon of water. Fill a bucket completely. Take your string mop and mop the basement floor completely. Start at one corner and work to the opposite end of the basement. Allow the floor to dry and repeat the process again. This will remove any dust, mold and mildew. This preparatory step will also remove any tough stains that have accumulated on the basement floor.

Step 4 - Wash with Soap and Water

Now that you have fully sanitized the concrete basement floor, take out the cleaning detergent and add a bit to the bottom of a bucket. Fill the bucket with warm water. Your bucket should now be filled with a warm soapy solution. Take a clean mop, or a mop that is specifically dedicated for soapy water, mop the floor completely. Begin at one end of the floor and proceed to the other end of the floor, working in circular motions. If the soapy water becomes dirty, dump out the old water outside in your lawn or garden and refill the bucket with another batch of warm soapy water. After you have fully mopped your floor, allow the floor to dry and repeat the process.

Step 5 - Rinse

Clean the bucket and fill it with warm water. Using another clean mop, or a mop that has been washed, rinse the mop with a warm water solution. The mop should remove any soap that has been left on the concrete floor from the last step. Allow the floor to dry completely.