Cleaning a garage floor

[dmparri3]

Hi, I decided to help out the folks this summer and clean out their garage (it hasn't been done in a few years). They want the floor to be painted but I know it has to be clean first (it is filthy). Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get this done?

Thanks in advance!

[bretfraz]

Regal is correct about the muriatic acid but beware, it's very powerful stuff.

Whatever product you use to paint/coat the floor, follow the directions to the letter. If you just want to clean the floor there are several concrete cleaners on the market. I like one's using a citrus cleaner as they are biodegradeable and do not harm plants or grass.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

What I have used in the past and was told to use by the people at Lowes where I bought a floor epoxy kit, was TSP cleaner. (Tri-Sodium Phosphate.) Before doing this, I did a scrubbing/spot cleaning with simple green (even though its "safe" stuff, its powerful enough to do one hella good job.)