I am almost ashamed to show you just how gross my sidewalk was.
Almost.
But I know that you guys understand the concept of real life.
Real life that involves neglecting things such as the sidewalk while focusing on much more important and fun things such as a kitchen makeover or just chasing around the circus at the park.
When we bought the beloved foreclosure, the exterior was the last thing on our minds. It may not have been that pretty, but there was nothing wrong with it and we would have rather had a functional kitchen and bathroom rather than a pretty exterior.
So we didn’t really touch the exterior except for some painting on the porch and a semi-makeover on the screened-in porch.
This summer I kicked the screened-in porch up quite a few notches with a complete (and super colorful) makeover.
And then I looked at our sidewalk.
And realized just how disgustingly gross it was.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by HomeRight and Thompson’s provided me with their products. However, all opinions and ridiculously dirty sidewalks are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
You guys.
I had no idea just how dirty my sidewalk was until after it was cleaned.
Here is the before:
I knew there were some stains and a strange funk growing on it, but I had no idea how it was really supposed to look. Honestly guys, I don’t think that this sidewalk had been cleaned in at least 15 years.
I’m trying to be optimistic on that timeframe. I’m probably wrong.
Grunt Labor doesn’t think that it was ever cleaned before now.
Here’s how we cleaned this bad boy up.
How to Clean a Sidewalk
Supplies Needed:
- Concrete / Sidewalk Cleaner (I used Thompson’s Oxy Foaming Action)
- Tank Sprayer (I used my HomeRight Tank Sprayer)
- Large Scrub Brush (I used my HomeRight Deck Washer)
- Water Hose
Steps
Step 1
Give your sidewalk a light scrubbing with the scrub brush to remove any loose dirt or grass and loosen up any stuck on dirt.
Step 2
You don’t want your sidewalk to be soaking wet, only lightly wet when you apply the cleaner. Let your sidewalk dry for a bit and mix up your cleaner. The cleaner must be used within an hour of mixing it, so don’t mix it until right before you are ready to use it.
I filled up my tank sprayer with two gallons of hot water (hot water is recommended) and added in eight capfuls of the oxy foaming cleaner. The directions say to use at least three capfuls per gallon or four capfuls per gallon if you have a very dirty area.
As y’all well know, mine was ridiculously dirty.
Step 3
Shake up your tank to dissolve all the cleaner crystals and spray the cleaner onto your sidewalk.
Let the cleaner sit for 5-10 minutes depending on how dirty your sidewalk is. I let mine sit for the full ten minutes.
While you are waiting, you can use the time to clean off your driveway with the deck brush.
I found it to be pretty perfect for that.
Step 4
After the allotted time, give the area you sprayed a good scrubbing with just the brush. You will literally see the dirt and grime lift off the concrete. After you have scrubbed it good, turn on the water to your brush and scrub some more while rinsing the sidewalk off.
Step 5
Depending on how dirty your sidewalk is, you may have to repeat the cleaning process twice. I did. After the second cleaning, I still had these little black spots lingering just near the porch steps.
Since this sidewalk hadn’t been cleaned in the history of ever, they weren’t budging very easily. Grunt Labor did a quick run over of those spots near the steps with a pressure washer.
Here is our after:
Why hello, nice and pretty sidewalk.
It’s nice to meet you.
I’m the one who neglected you for the past three years.
The cleaning and scrubbing removed a huge amount of dirt and grime and brightened it up like nobody’s business.
Need more cleaning tips?
How to Clean Concrete Blocks– clean up all those landscaping blocks!
How to Remove Rust and Polish Chrome– you won’t believe how much rust I got off this one chair!
9+ Must Read Cleaning Tips– all sorts of cleaning tips for around the house!
You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.
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Lindsay Eidahl says
My driveway!!!
Angie t says
Looks like i need to get this done around my place. thanks for the info and giveaway.
Margaret Knowles says
Looks great! Very good instructions how to use deck brush & cleaner. I don’t have a sidewalk,but this would be great to use on my front and back decks.
Lois Schmucker says
I want to win! Amazing products!
polly plum says
This looks like a great tool!I’m picturing emptying the entire contents of my garage onto my driveway- the neighbors will love that( 5 kids’ worth of bikes, wagons, skateboards, sports equipment, etc, and cleaning the floor of my garage with the deck brush.
Shelley Otto says
That is amazing!
Helen Y says
Are you kidding me? We’d use it on our back patio especially under the deck it is gross; the front concrete driveway and the front walk to the house!!! Whew that’s a lot of cleaning, but I’m sure these products will make it easier.
Karen says
I need to work on my driveway! Oil droplets!
Your sidewalk looks beautiful and amazing at the same time. I need to get outside today.
kathleen says
My side walk could really use this.
claudine says
I would use it on my driveway, it really needs it and the brick wall around my front porch. Looks like great tools.
Tricia says
Looks awesome. My sidewalks could definitely use a good cleaning 🙂
Aimee says
Would love to win this to clean my sidewalk and driveway. Your results look great!
Shannon says
Our driveway could use a good scrubbing!!
Patty says
My sidewalk is a mess. This would help.
Sheila Moore says
My deck…it needs a good cleaning!
chris aka monkey says
that jenna is amazaballs… don’t even look like the same sidewalk, now circus can ride her trike on a nice clean sidewalk and her sidewalk chalk colors will really pop haha xx
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Isn’t it amazeballs though, Chris?! haha! Honestly, I was totally shocked. Funny you should mention the sidewalk chalk – we tried it on the actual sidewalk one time before cleaning it and couldn’t even see it that well – it was better to use it on the blacktop than the sidewalk! Not anymore! haha!
Dad says
Well Honey, y’all did a bang-up job on the sidewalk. I can’t wait to see. I have used Brick Acid in the past to clean the sidewalks (& ours needs cleaning badly right now). Is the Thompson product you mention safer, better, or less-expensive than the brick acid solution? I have entered the contest too. Maybe I’ll be a lucky winner…..Right! Like I’ll also win the jackpot on the Publisher’s Clearinghouse……. Have a great day. Love you! Dad.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Dad! I don’t know much about brick acid so I can’t really answer that question.
Sarah @ 702 Park Project says
We need this for our front sidewalk!
Stephanie C. says
Um, our patio could totally use this! I didn’t realize how horrible it was until I was outside working last weekend. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Karen J says
I have a couple concrete patios that could definitely be made better with these products!
Crystal B. says
Looks great! Something I need to do as well.
Maaike says
My disgusting back patio…
Tricia (@ThePaintedChest) says
I would use it on my deck and my driveway. I pressure washed my entire driveway a few years ago and that was a mess and very time consuming. This looks so much easier!
Alina says
Definitely use it on my driveway and my deck. They are both filthy and need a little love and care.
Sean C says
I’d use it on my deck. We’ve been meaning to rent a sprayer but haven’t gotten around to it.
vikki says
I so need to do this to my porch. I used just my pressure washer but it didn’t clean it very well. I am glad to know there is a product out there that can work on something as dirty as that. Good job.
Terri Hughes says
I would use it on the driveway, it could use a good cleaning!
Chelsea says
That brush looks perfect for the sidewalk!
Leslie says
I would use them to clean the siding on my house and the moss from my driveway!
Leslie says
I would work on my patio and driveway!
Sandi P says
I would use it in my airplane hangar and tiedown area, as well as the driveway and patio. I don’t think the airplane hangar has EVER been cleaned.
Valerie Stayton says
I would use it on the back patio for sure. Our three dogs make it a filthy mess constantly. This would be very nice to own.
Sherri Howell says
Well, first I would use this on my patio where baby birds are learning to fly. While waiting their turn, they make a big mess on our patio. The water house and scrub brush are not cutting it anymore. Then I would use this on our driveway, and side porch. Then my front porch that I have been wanting and needing to paint! Come on cooler weather, I can’t do all of this when is is still 98 degrees everyday. Thanks for the great post!
lesley says
definitely on the driveway and the sidewalk to our front door. there is no sun hitting the sidewalk so it gets green quickly
Anne says
My walk and patio are in desperate need of a deep clean. I have tried other methods but it certainly looks like I need to bring in the big guns as my efforts have not brought such dramatic results as yours.
Debi Macrae says
My huge back patio, and my driveway. This looks amazing!
Debbie M. says
Would love to win this! We have a patio that could use a good scrubbing!
Rebecca C says
My sidewalk isn’t too bad, but our driveway is pretty terrible.
Katrina says
I would clean my driveway and sidewalks! This is an awesome giveaway!
lori says
Would love to win, would use it on basketball court, basement floor, garage floor, deck, driveway. It would never rest!
Donna says
Our back patio & porch is nasty – especially the patio. The porch hasn’t gotten quite as bad as the patio has but it could sure use a good cleaning & this thing you did looks great!
Liz says
I would use on my back patio to get all my diy remnants off!
Rachel R says
I would use it on my sidewalk, bit I bet it would also work to scrub the siding on my little bungalow.
Angie Felton says
Cleaning the driveway off is one of my husband’s favorite tasks. I always thought it was sort of crazy, but seeing what happens if it isn’t done has made me see the light!
Liz says
I would clean my sidewalks and driveway. I left pollen from a tree sitting on the cement and it looks a bit like yours, but not quite so bad.
Laura / Pet Scribbles says
Wow – this before and after is AMAZING!!! I have neglected our driveway forEVER and now it mocks me every time I see it. I need this system! Thanks for the great giveaway opportunity!
Trina @ Let's Just Build a House says
holy moly that WAS dirty!!
Margo says
Amazing results Jenna! I could use these tools to clean my filthy deck:) thx for all your great givaways!
Audra says
Wow! Is this really the same sidewalk???!!!! My driveway could definitely use a good cleaning!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I know, Audra! Looks totally different!
Audrey Zumwalt says
Failure today in trying to clean my front sidewalk which is stained with tree pollen and mold. I need to explore these products. Amazing giveaways.
Emily says
This is fantastic! So much concrete so little time. 🙂
Kylie Palmer says
I would use it for my deck and my front porch,walkway, and driveway.
Julie Spear says
That Homeright water spraying scrubber brush looks amazing!!! and the sprayer is pretty sweet too!!! Who knew you could get a sidewalk so clean??!!?? I am like you, with so many inside project to do, the outside sometimes takes a backseat!!! your sidewalk looks great and that gorgeous patio it loeads up to is just FABULOUS!!! great job!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Julie!! Yes, the scrub brush and the sprayer are super handy!
linda says
Our sidewalk and slab steps!
Patty H. says
Our sidewalk to the front door gets downright slippery – it’s so much in need of de-sliming!
Carole M says
Looks like my backyard and the driveway of mine new home.
barbara n says
Our pool deck needs a cleaning!
Tera says
Wow!! I need this for our driveway & our walkways!!
Karren McIntire says
I would use the deck brush and tank on my concrete patio, sidewalks and driveway! I love the transformation that you had!
Lisa Cooper says
My screened porch floor is covered in red mud, brought in by our 80 pound Husky-Beagle mix. I need this power washer!!
Liz says
On my pool decking and coping!
Jeannie Garcia-Buechele says
I have a very large cool deck around my pool and it gets very dirty from storms and a gigantic 100 pound German Shepherd..lol..
Trish F says
Hello, I would use this on my back deck and also a grease spot that my husband got on our beautifully black toped driveway. Thanks for a great giveaway!
beverly e says
My deck and carport could sure use a good cleaning… this would make the jobs a lot easier!
DeeDee says
How nice it would be to have a clean front walkway – the gateway to our company!
Patty says
This couldn’t have come at a better time. I have been trying to find a way to clean my sidewalk. Hope I win.
DEBRA THOMPSON says
That is AMAZING!
Manette Gutterman says
My driveway and sidewalk would thank you!
Erin P says
I would use it on our back patio and front entrance! Thanks for the opportunity!
Gyp says
Our patio is in dire need of cleaning.
Shelley says
Now that it is clean all you need to do to keep it that way is to mix 1/2 one cup bleach with one gallon water and spray it on once a Month. Makes sure you water surrounding grass first as not to kill it. Spray wait 5 minutes and rinse. Bleach kills the mold and brightens the concrete. If you ever feel like renting a pressure cleaner you can use this same mixture to pretreat before pressure washing. I personally rent a pressure cleaner. It makes quick work of jobs like these.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks for the tip, Shelley!
Anita Holland says
This would work great on my driveway, I don’t even know what colour it is underneath.
Catherine Sokolowski says
Those are amazing products. Your sidewalk looks fantastic!
Anita Holland says
It would work great on my patio too. Pinned
Jennifer says
Your results are beyond amazing! Good job. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home! –Jennifer
Kristi Dominguez says
Wow! What an incredible transformation! Thanks for the great tips!
Calypso in the Country says
I need to do this…my sidewalk is a mess! Thanks for linking up to Best of the Weekend…Your post was one of my features this week. I will be pinning and adding to Instagram stories this weekend. Thanks again for joining us and have a great weekend!
Shelley
Jo Ann says
HI, I realize the contest is probably over by now….. so…. Where can I get the equipment that you used? Anxious to clean both my cement area and decking.
thanks for the info.
Jo Ann
If you want you could have the rep come give me a demo on my patio. lOL