How to Clean Antifreeze Off of a Garage Floor

If your garage floor has become stained with antifreeze, it can be very difficult to remove the stain. However, with the proper tools and some hard work, you can get your concrete garage floor looking like new again. First, it is important to sweep up any loose debris or dirt from the spill area. This will help make the clean up process easier and prevent the antifreeze from spreading. Next, prepare a solution of one part lactic acid-based cleaner (like CLR) and one part water. Pour this over the affected area of the concrete, and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. After this time, scrub the area of the concrete floor with a stiff brush to break up and remove the antifreeze stain. This will also remove any salt film or residue that may be on the surface of the concrete.

After you have scrubbed the affected area of the floor, rinse the concrete with a spray nozzle of clean water. This will help to rinse away any remaining antifreeze and will also help to prevent any further damage to the concrete.

If you have a large amount of antifreeze that has been spilled, it is a good idea to use an absorbent material to soak it up before you wash it away. This will help prevent the antifreeze from seeping into the ground or a nearby water source where it could be ingested by animals or children. Absorbent materials such as kitty litter, baking soda, or sand are good choices. You should also keep a supply of these materials on hand in case you ever need to deal with a larger spill.

Many antifreeze products contain ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, which is a chemical that is toxic to pets and children. If the antifreeze is not soaked up immediately, pets and children can be tempted to drink it, which can be fatal. It is also a good idea to have a recycling center close by where you can dispose of the antifreeze properly.

In addition to being toxic to humans and pets, antifreeze can also stain and ruin your concrete garage floor or driveway. The brightly colored chemicals in antifreeze are easy to spot, but they can be very difficult to get out of the porous concrete. If left unattended, antifreeze stains and spills can create hazardous slip-and-fall conditions for your family and visitors to your home.

Before you begin the cleaning process, saturate the affected area of the concrete with a concrete degreasing product and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Then, scrub the stains with a stiff bristle nylon brush. If necessary, saturate the area again and scrub several times until the stains are completely removed. This will also help to prevent the stain from resurfacing in the future. Then, let the area dry. It is best to leave the garage door open so that the area can air out after cleaning.