How to Clean Basement Walls – 10 Best Solutions
Most building basement walls are made of concrete. This material is quite strong, which is perfect as the base of the buildings. Even though it looks like there shouldn’t be any difficulties cleaning concrete walls, it can be tricky.
You have to know what you can use as cleaning agents and what to stay away from. You also have to know the correct process of application of those cleaning solutions.
In this article, we will talk about the common basement wall-stains you can experience. You will find out how to get rid of every type of stain as well. Often the result fully depends on the chemical you are using.
Research the information below to determine what way suits your situation best, what cleaning agent you will be able to obtain, and how to clean basement walls.
What are the common basement wall-stains types?
The cleaning process for different kind of stains vary. Some of them can be removed using a homemade cleaning solution, the other ones will require harsh chemicals to get rid of the stain, such as mold growth, for example. Let’s see what are the kind of stains you can encounter on your concrete basement wall.
1. Orange and black spots
Orange or, sometimes, red stains on the basement concrete walls are usually an indication that rust is present. The concentration of iron is elevated and this causes the rust stains to form.
Even though it is not harmful to your health, when it accumulates in the basement walls it can result in their destruction. So, cleaning the concrete basement wall that has the orange stains is important.
There are cleaning products dedicated specifically to getting rid of rust stains. They are safe for your health and effective in fighting stains.
The rust stains can also develop if the metal touches the basement walls. Make sure the construction is hidden deep inside the wall, so you don’t have to encounter this issue.
The black stains or, in some cases, gray ones are an indication of mold growth. This is very serious as affects your health. Typically, such stains form when it is very humid weather and the temperature is high.
To avoid this situation, the best thing to do is to control the humidity level in your basement. When you have discovered the black spots, you have to remove them immediately.
2. Efflorescence coating
This type of stain is encountered when there is a constant presence of water in your basement. It looks like white powder coating on concrete walls. The minerals the water contains result in the efflorescence forming.
It doesn’t cause any health conditions, but it also doesn’t look presentable. It also tells you that the walls aren’t dry. So, it is understandable your desire to get rid of the stained areas on the basement walls.
You must act fast and clean concrete basement walls as soon as you discover the problem. If you don’t, this might turn into something much worse, such as mold growth.
You can use either a dedicated cleaning solution sold in the store, or choose the correct option to clean interior concrete walls from the list below.
3. Cracking in the concrete walls
Depending on the severity of the cracks, the solution will be either patching the affected area or even the need for the concrete basement wall to be rebuilt. Cracking in the interior basement walls can happen from water presence.
The minerals and loose mineral salt in water cause the concrete to be destroyed. It is all about weather conditions. If it is very humid, the chances of cracks are way higher.
4. Different kinds of chipped-off materials
Almost everyone covers the basement walls with some kind of sealant, hydraulic cement, or concrete paint to prevent water from staying on the concrete wall and for the sake of the wall looking nice.
Sometimes when the technology isn’t followed properly, water can get underneath the sealant, causing it to expand and eventually chip off.
The proper solution will be to remove the damaged layer and paint it all over again. You have to purchase special cleaning products to prepare the concrete basement wall before applying sealant or paint.
That will ensure water will not get underneath the layer and concrete walls will look presentable at all times. The main thing to do is to seal the basement, so there is no water sipping through.
What should you consider before you clean concrete basement walls?
When you decide that you have to clean concrete basement walls, the key is to not hurry. You have to investigate what kind of issues you experience.
What is the nature of the basement wall stains, and what is the condition of the basement walls’ surface? Check whether they have cracks or other deformities.
Concrete walls have to be cleaned thoroughly, so the concrete stains are more defined and easy to be found. Pre-cleaning basement walls is compulsory.
You have to clean the entire basement before deciding on the cleaning method you are going to use. Once you have done a scoop of work, start removing stains based on their nature and size.
Suggestions on how to clean basement walls effectively
Below are the common options for removing tough stains from concrete basement walls. You should choose the one based on your situation.
It can either be a professional cleaning product, a homemade substance, or even a pressure washer. Just remember, if you weren’t able to get rid of tough stains the first time, you can always try again, picking another method.
1. Using ammonia-based concrete cleaner
Any cleaning solution that has ammonia copes well with dissolving fat and any sort of dirt. It is perfect for getting rid of stubborn stains on the basement walls.
Apart from the cleaning agent, you will have to prepare a dishwashing liquid and some warm water. Follow the instructions below to complete the task.
Step 1. Preparation of the cleaning solution
Find a deep bowl you can use for mixing ingredients for making an ammonia cleaner. Add some warm water and around 100 ml of ammonia. Stir thoroughly.
Then add some non-ammonia dish soap. Stir again and the solution is ready.
Step 2. Application of the solution
The best thing to use for applying the ammonia cleaner is by using a nylon brush.
Dip the nylon brush into the cleaning substance and apply it to the stubborn stains on the concrete basement walls. You have to use rubbing motions, so it soaks into the stains.
Step 3. Rinsing of the cleaning agent
After you have left the cleaner on the stains for some time, you will need to take a bucket with warm water and wipe it off the interior concrete walls.
You can use a clean cloth and rub it around the affected area.
Step 4. Drying of the concrete walls
The drying part is important. Do not leave the basement walls moist.
Use a paper towel and go through the entire surface with dabbing motions. Ensure the area is fully dry.
2. Using a pressure washer
If you are the owner of a high-pressure cleaner, you can use it for removing stubborn stains from basement walls. It has proven itself to be very efficient when it comes to cleaning.
You should take into account covering the items and the areas that you don’t want getting soaked, with some plastic cover. Wear protective gear yourself. A pressure washer can be cleaned with detergent.
It will remove all the loose dirt in a jif. To find out whether your pressure cleaner can accept cleaning agents, it is best you read the manual booklet.
The pressure cleaner has to be moved in different directions to ensure the effectiveness of removing mold spores. Porous concrete walls can contain lots of dust and concrete particles.
Once you have finished spraying the cleaning agent onto the concrete surfaces, wait for a few minutes for it to penetrate the stains. For the tough stains, you will have to use a scrub brush.
Scrub them in circular motions to ensure they get soaked with the cleaning mixture. After that, it is time to rinse the walls. Use fresh water and make sure all the solution is washed off.
The basement concrete walls have to be wiped dry afterward. Use a clean cloth or paper towels. To eliminate the chance of mold spores growing on the walls, excess moisture shouldn’t be in your basement. Always open windows to ventilate the room.
3. Hydrogen peroxide solution
Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical, commonly used for cleaning. You can also use it as a concrete cleaner.
Additionally, to the cleaning properties, it also disinfects the area, which in turn inhibit mold growth. You have to follow a straightforward process when dealing with hydrogen peroxide.
For your convenience, you should pour hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Spread hydrogen peroxide all over the basement wall and wait for half an hour.
The most stubborn stain will have to be scrubbed using a scrub brush. The remnants of the peroxide will have to be rinsed off using a hose pipe and clean water.
The water has to be warm, so the final result is even more impressive.
The damp walls must be dried properly. Using a soft towel will be the fastest option. Ensure the basement area is well-ventilated, as it also helps to remove excess moisture.
4. Using bleach
This is the number one chemical when you want to clean mold. Bleach solution copes with such stains quickly and efficiently.
It also disinfects the surface, preventing the mold from ever appearing again. What you will need to prepare bleach cleaning solution: bleach solution itself, warm water, spray bottle, sponge, and a deep bowl for mixing.
All you have to do is add the same amounts of bleach and water into the bowl. Stir properly and pour it into a spray bottle.
This way it is going to be easier to apply on a concrete wall. Take a sponge and wipe the rest off the surface. Then it is going to be time to clean concrete walls with clean water.
Do not forget that you have to wear rubber gloves to protect the delicate skin on your hands. Wearing a mask and goggles is also recommended because bleach is quite a harmful substance.
You should stay away from improving the cleaning formula and adding other cleaning chemicals, as it will create an extremely harmful substance that can affect your health.
5. Using vinegar and lemon juice
Everyone has white vinegar in their household. It is a good cleaning agent that can be used to clean concrete walls.
Together with baking soda, it shows great results in fighting stains and bad smells and also disinfecting the concrete wall surface. Add white vinegar, baking soda, and water into a bowl, and apply this paste onto the stains.
Wait for about an hour. It will allow the solution to penetrate the porous surface of the basement wall stain. Once you are able to get rid of the stains, you must wash the mixture that is left, off the concrete wall.
This recipe can be used for cleaning the basement pipes. As they fight the odor well, it will sort out your problem.
To improve the cleaning effect, you can mix white vinegar and lemon juice. Such a mixture can effectively remove rust stains. Disinfection is also one of the properties of this cleaning agent.
Prepare a spray bottle and a stiff scrub brush. Applying the solution using a spray bottle is so much easier and convenient. The stiff bristle brush will ensure the rust stain is removed in just a few scrubbing motions.
Once you have sprayed the vinegar solution onto the wall stains, you have to leave it there for a few minutes.
After that, you just scrub the stains with a wire brush and rinse the remnants with water. Make sure you dry the basement wall at the end.
6. Using trisodium phosphate
Trisodium phosphate is a chemical used in stain cleaning, including the ones that are located on a basement wall.
You will require around 4 liters of water, around 100 gr of Trisodium phosphate, a deep bowl, and a wire brush.
Water the concrete wall and go with a brush over it, scrubbing. It will remove loose dirt. You can spray the entire concrete wall using a hose pipe. It will be faster that way.
After that, prepare a mixture of water and Trisodium phosphate and apply it to the area where the basement wall stain problem occurs. You should use scrubbing motions to ensure it gets through the stain.
Using a hose water pipe, rinse the concrete wall-stains thoroughly. Ensure you dry the basement well. Open the doors and the windows to ventilate the area. Use a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.
7. Using tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is easy to obtain in any store near you. It successfully fights the fungus. If you have black spots on the concrete surfaces, try using the tea tree oil.
It can also be used for cleaning stains on your clothes. The best way to apply the tea tree oil will be with a spray bottle. The proportion should be a cup of water and 0.2ml of oil.
Spray the solution directly onto the stains and leave for a few minutes. Take a brush and start scrubbing the stained areas. This will help to remove them faster.
Wash the concrete wall afterward and dry it using a paper towel. Note, that you will have to repeat the whole process in a couple of days if you want to maintain the walls stain-free.
8. Using hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid successfully fights with different kinds of stains. It is more effective with rust, though. You will have to make a cleaning mixture using hydrochloric acid and warm water in a proportion of 2:1.
Once you have stirred it properly, so it is one substance, pour it into a spray bottle. It will be easier for you to apply the mixture onto the stains as it will spread evenly.
The rust areas should be paid more attention. Spray a few times until it covers the entire stain. Wait for a few minutes and start scrubbing the areas with a hard bristle brush.
When you are happy with the result, wash the cement walls with clean water. Remember to dry the surfaces, otherwise, you are risking getting moldy spots.
It is important to cover yourself with protective gear. Rubber gloves are a must. The solution also can’t be left for a very long time as it will result in the blue stains appearing.
You should always read the tag attached to the chemical. It can not be used on certain surfaces and not all stains can be removed using this cleaning product.
9. Using borax
If the nature of stains is oily, you need something that can lift the grease. Borax is the one you require. It works perfectly on concrete floors and walls. The solution has to be mixed using ingredients in a certain proportion.
You will require a long bowl, so you can mix everything. Ass half a cup of borax, 3.5 liters of water, and half a cup of washing soda. Stir everything thoroughly.
Pour the substance into the spraying bottle for easy application. If you don’t have any, you can use a simple brush, but it might take a bit longer.
Watch out for the deposits on the bottom of the bottle. When you see some, you will need to shake the bottle.
The stain areas have to be scrubbed using a brush with hard bristles. That way you will achieve the best result.
The borax mixture does not have to be washed off. It can stay on the wall, preventing mold from growing. You can use it on the floors in the basement as well.
Make sure you start applying the mixture from the area where the basement wall begins.
10. Using muriatic acid
Muriatic acid is a known chemical that can remove stubborn stains fast. DIY concrete cleaner is easy to make. Prepare the following: water and muriatic acid in proportion 4:1, a deep bowl, and a brush.
Start with cleaning the wall first to remove all the dust and dirt particles. Wait until it is dry. While you are waiting, you can proceed with mixing the cleaning agent.
Add water and muriatic acid into a bowl and mix until they become one. Apply the mixture on the walls to remove stubborn stains.
Use a brush to scrub the surface to achieve the most effective result. Rinse the walls a couple of times to get rid of any remnants that can still be there.
As muriatic acid is a highly toxic chemical, you must wear full protective gear. Once you are done working in the basement, ensure you ventilate the area well.
FAQs
How do you get mold off concrete basement walls?
You need something that can disinfect the area at the same time. That way, you will prevent mold from growing again. The best solution is to use bleach. Dissolve some in water and spray over the stain area.
After waiting for a few minutes, you must wash it off and dry the wall. As bleach is quite an aggressive chemical, you must use protective gloves when working with it.
How do you clean a cement basement?
You can start with using less harsh solutions. One of the options is vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and water. Mix everything together in a bucket or a deep bowl. Pour into a spraying bottle and shake well.
Apply the solution onto the stained area and leave for a few minutes. You can also use a scrubbing brush, so the result is more satisfying. Once you scrubbed the stain, rinse the wall with water and dry it.
How do you clean basement walls before waterproofing?
You should start with removing all the dust and dirt particles off the wall first. Use a vacuum cleaner or a brush and move across the whole basement cleaning everywhere. After that, you can clean the walls with water.
Attach a cloth to the mop and wet the entire surface. Then you have to wait for the walls to be dried completely. Only after that, you can proceed with waterproofing.
How do you clean painted cinder block walls?
Cinder block walls will require a soft cleaning agent to be used when cleaning them. The common way would be mixing a mild detergent with warm water.
Apply the mixture onto the walls and wash it off with clean water. Make sure you dry the area, otherwise, you are risking getting mold growing.
Conclusion
Concrete stains can be removed easily when you know what chemicals to use. We have described the most commonly used methods that proved their efficiency over the years. Inspect the basement area first to determine what kind of stains are there.
Once you have figured it out, use one of the options above for cleaning the basement walls and getting rid of tough stain spots.
You can use a hydrogen peroxide solution, mix vinegar and lemon juice with baking soda and water, or look at something harsher than that. Either way, don’t forget to use protective equipment and ventilate the area well after cleaning. If this article was helpful, please share it with your friends. If you still have questions left, write them in the comment section below.
Read also our guide: Fly Poop On Walls: How to Clean Those?
Hi, I’m Anna Jeffery, an experienced author and cleaning expert. I strive to share my knowledge with everyone by writing useful guides and tips to keep their living and working spaces clean and healthy. I believe everyone deserves to live in a clean and organized environment, and I take pride in knowing that my articles are helping people achieve that goal. Stay tuned for practical and useful cleaning tips!
