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DIY Cleaning Methods for Garage floors

Reviewed by Zac Kieffer

Updated: September 15, 2025

Discover easy DIY cleaning methods for garage floors. Learn tips and tricks to remove stains, dirt, and grime for a spotless, well-maintained garage.

DIY Cleaning Methods for Garage floors

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Sprinkle baking soda generously over the garage floor stains. Pour white vinegar over the baking soda and let the mixture fizz for a few minutes. Scrub the area with a stiff brush, then rinse with water. This combination lifts grime and neutralizes odors naturally.

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Baking Soda and Vinegar for Cleaning Garage Floors

Let’s get real: garage floors see it all—oil drips, muddy boots, mystery stains, and the occasional science experiment gone rogue. If you’re eyeing that box of baking soda and bottle of vinegar, here’s how to put them to work on your garage floor, step by step.

Clear the area. Move out cars, bikes, and anything else that’s in the way. You want a blank canvas, not a game of hopscotch around clutter.

Sweep up debris. Grab a stiff broom and sweep away dirt, leaves, and loose grit. This helps the cleaning solution actually reach the floor, not just the top layer of dust.

Sprinkle baking soda. Generously shake baking soda over any stains or grimy spots. For the whole floor, you can go section by section. Baking soda acts as a mild abrasive, which means it helps scrub without scratching most concrete.

Mix up your vinegar solution. In a bucket, combine about one part distilled white vinegar to two parts warm water. (If you’re dealing with a lot of grime, you can use a bit more vinegar.)

Pour or spray the vinegar solution. Pour the mixture directly onto the baking soda-covered spots, or use a spray bottle for smaller areas. You’ll see fizzing—this is the baking soda and vinegar reacting. It’s not magic, but it does help loosen some types of grime.

Let it sit. Give the mixture about 5–10 minutes to do its thing. This dwell time helps break up surface dirt and some stains.

Scrub with a stiff brush. Use a deck brush or a stiff-bristled broom to scrub the area. Put some muscle into it—garage floors are tough, and so are most of their stains.

Rinse thoroughly. Use a hose with good water pressure to rinse away the residue. If you don’t have a drain, push the dirty water out with a squeegee or mop.

Let it dry. Allow the floor to air dry before moving everything back in. This helps prevent new dirt from sticking to a damp surface.

What’s happening here?
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive, so it helps scrub away surface grime. Vinegar is acidic, which can help loosen some mineral-based stains and dirt. The fizzing you see is carbon dioxide gas being released—fun to watch, but it’s not a miracle cleaner. This method is best for general dirt and light stains, not for heavy-duty oil or chemical spills.

Limited Cleaning Power

Baking soda and vinegar lack the strength to remove tough stains, oil, or grease from garage floors. Their mild reaction is not effective against heavy dirt, leaving surfaces less clean than commercial or specialized cleaners.

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) and Hot Water

Dissolve 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) in 2 gallons of hot water. Pour the solution onto the garage floor and scrub with a stiff brush, focusing on stained or greasy areas. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and let dry. This method removes tough dirt, oil, and grime effectively.

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How to Clean Garage Floors with Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) and Hot Water

Gather your gear: You’ll need a stiff-bristled brush (think deck brush, not your old toothbrush), a sturdy bucket, rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and—of course—TSP. Make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area, because TSP is a strong cleaning agent and you don’t want to breathe in the dust or fumes.

Prep the floor: Sweep up all the loose dirt, leaves, and whatever else has found its way into your garage. If you see any oil spots, blot them up with paper towels or rags. The cleaner the surface, the better the TSP can do its job.

Mix your solution: In your bucket, dissolve TSP in hot water according to the instructions on the packaging. (Usually, it’s about 1/2 cup TSP per 2 gallons of hot water, but always check the label.) Hot water helps the TSP dissolve and work more effectively on greasy messes.

Apply the TSP solution: Wearing gloves and eye protection, dip your brush into the solution and start scrubbing the floor. Focus on stained or grimy areas, but don’t be shy about giving the whole floor a once-over. TSP is especially good at cutting through old oil, grease, and general garage gunk.

Let it sit (but not too long): After scrubbing, let the solution sit for about 10-15 minutes. This gives the TSP time to break down stubborn grime. Don’t let it dry out completely—if it starts to, splash on a bit more solution.

Rinse thoroughly: Use a hose or buckets of clean water to rinse the floor. It’s important to remove all traces of TSP, as any residue left behind can make the floor slippery or attract more dirt. If you’re working in a garage with a drain, direct the rinse water toward it. If not, use a wet/dry vacuum or mop up the excess water.

Let it dry: Allow the floor to air dry completely before moving anything back in. This helps prevent new dirt from sticking to damp spots and gives you a chance to admire your handiwork (or at least a less-grimy garage floor).

Dispose of waste properly: TSP is a strong cleaning agent, so don’t pour leftover solution or rinse water into storm drains or onto your lawn. Check your local guidelines for proper disposal.

What is TSP? Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) is a heavy-duty cleaning powder often used to prep surfaces for painting or to tackle tough grease and grime. It’s a strong alkaline cleaner, so always handle with care and follow the instructions on the packaging.

Safety Risk Exposure

Using TSP and hot water can expose you to chemical burns, skin and eye irritation, and harmful fumes. Improper handling or mixing may also damage surfaces or create slippery floors, increasing the risk of slips and falls.

Powdered Laundry Detergent and Scrub Brush

Sprinkle powdered laundry detergent generously over the garage floor. Dampen a scrub brush with warm water and scrub the detergent into the surface, focusing on stained or dirty areas. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to lift away grime and leave the floor clean.

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How to Clean Garage Floors with Powdered Laundry Detergent and a Scrub Brush

Clear the floor first. Move out cars, bikes, and anything else that’s in the way. Sweep up loose dirt, leaves, and debris with a stiff broom. This gives you a blank slate and keeps you from grinding grit into the floor as you scrub.

Mix your cleaning solution. Sprinkle a moderate amount of powdered laundry detergent directly onto the garage floor, focusing on any visible stains or dirty patches. For extra cleaning power, you can lightly mist the area with water from a spray bottle or hose—just enough to dampen the powder and help it activate, but not so much that you end up with a soapy lake.

Grab your scrub brush. Use a brush with stiff bristles (think deck brush, not your old toothbrush) to work the detergent into the concrete. Apply steady pressure and use circular motions to help lift grime and marks. Pay extra attention to oil spots or ground-in dirt, as these areas usually need a little more elbow grease.

Let it sit for a few minutes. After scrubbing, let the detergent sit on the floor for about 5–10 minutes. This gives it time to break down stubborn residues. Don’t let it dry out completely—if it starts to, mist it lightly with water again.

Rinse thoroughly. Use a hose with a strong spray to rinse away the detergent and loosened dirt. Start at the back of the garage and work toward the door so everything washes out. Make sure to rinse well; leftover detergent can leave a film that attracts more dirt later.

Let the floor dry. Open the garage door and, if possible, set up a fan to speed up drying. Walking or driving on a wet floor can track in more mess, so give it time to dry completely before moving things back in.

Spot treat as needed. For any stubborn stains that didn’t budge, repeat the process or try a dedicated concrete cleaner. Some marks, especially old oil stains, may need a few rounds to fade.

Pro tip: Always wear gloves when scrubbing, and keep the area well-ventilated. Powdered laundry detergent can be tough on skin and lungs if you’re working in a closed space.

Stubborn Stain Persistence

Some garage floor stains are deeply set or oil-based, making them resistant to removal with just powdered laundry detergent and a scrub brush. This method may not penetrate or break down tough stains, leaving visible residue behind.

Spray a commercial degreaser generously over oil stains and dirty areas on the garage floor. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then scrub thoroughly with a stiff bristle broom. Rinse with water to remove loosened grime and residue for a clean, grease-free surface.

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How to Clean Garage Floors with a Degreaser and Stiff Bristle Broom

Clear the floor first. Move out cars, bikes, and anything else that’s in the way. You want a blank canvas—no tripping over a rake or accidentally soaking your kid’s soccer cleats in degreaser.

Sweep up loose dirt and debris. Use your stiff bristle broom to sweep away dust, leaves, and whatever else has found its way into your garage. This step helps the degreaser work directly on the grime, not just the top layer of dirt.

Choose a degreaser made for concrete. Not all degreasers are created equal. Look for one that’s labeled for use on concrete or garage floors. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dilution and application. Wear gloves and ventilate the area if the label recommends it.

Apply the degreaser to stained or greasy spots. Pour or spray the degreaser directly onto oil stains, tire marks, or any greasy patches. Let it sit for the amount of time specified on the product label—usually 5–15 minutes. This gives the product time to break down the grime.

Scrub with your stiff bristle broom. Work the degreaser into the floor using firm, even pressure. The stiff bristles help lift up stubborn residue that’s stuck in the concrete’s pores. For really tough spots, you might need to go over them a couple of times.

Rinse thoroughly with water. Use a hose or buckets of water to rinse away the loosened grime and degreaser. Start at the back of the garage and work toward the door so everything flows out. If your garage doesn’t have good drainage, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up excess water.

Let the floor dry completely before moving things back in. Concrete can look dry on the surface but still be damp underneath. Give it a few hours, or even overnight, to make sure it’s fully dry before you start parking or storing items again.

Dispose of rinse water responsibly. If your degreaser’s label mentions any special disposal instructions, follow them. Some products shouldn’t go down storm drains or into your yard.

Incomplete Contaminant Removal

This method may leave behind oil, grease, or other residues, as degreasers and stiff bristle brooms often fail to fully penetrate and lift embedded contaminants from porous concrete surfaces, resulting in incomplete cleaning.

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