[subego]

My garage floor. I've got no way to hose it down, and there's no drain anyway.

My main issue is anything used to clean is made instantly filthy beyond use. The best I've come up with is 20 rags in a bucket, each managing about 2'x2' before they need to hit the wash. Any better ideas?

The "cleaning" on the right is from me pacing. I pace in my garage a lot.

[andi*pandi]

first: sweep/vacuum all loose surface dirt

second, pick one:
mop, yes you will have to rinse/refill bucket.
water vac (rent at home depot etc)

last resort:
paint

[reader50]

Pressure washer. Sprays a stream of very-high-pressure water, which will loosen most stuff. Don't get the nozzle super close to the concrete, it can pulverize the surface. Gas-powered washer pictured. They make electrics too, which don't have as much oomph. But they cost half as much.



Even if it doesn't pull it all, what's left will be thin enough you'll get more mileage out of your rags.

[subego]

I'm anti-mop not because of having to change the buckets, but the mop-heads.

Last time I tried it with your standard sponge mop-head. After doing two or three square feet it's coal black. Even after a rinse in the bucket, it can't pick up any more dirt. It pushes it around.

That was awhile ago. I have the insane, "Porsche of mops" now. I may just sacrifice a few heads. At least I can throw them in the wash.

[subego]

Originally Posted by reader50 

Pressure washer. Sprays a stream of very-high-pressure water, which will loosen most stuff. Don't get the nozzle super close to the concrete, it can pulverize the surface. Gas-powered washer pictured. They make electrics too, which don't have as much oomph. But they cost half as much.



Even if it doesn't pull it all, what's left will be thin enough you'll get more mileage out of your rags.

That's where the lack of drain kills me. All the water would end up in the adjacent room by way of leaking under the wall.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

Pressure washer + paint and sealer, then you won't need to worry about it again.

[subego]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants 

Pressure washer + paint and sealer, then you won't need to worry about it again.

Maybe once it's clean I think about painting it, but a cleaning will probably satisfy. That's about 10 years worth of dirt.

[P]

Originally Posted by subego 

That's where the lack of drain kills me. All the water would end up in the adjacent room by way of leaking under the wall.

If you have access to one, try it. It uses less water than you think.

In general: in a garage, it will be oil and petroleum and rubber in addition to general dust. You need to make that soluble in water, which means lots of cleaning agents. Washing-up fluid works, but more than you think.

[sek929]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Tightpants 

Pressure washer + paint and sealer, then you won't need to worry about it again.

This. Rent a big wet vac and a pressure washer. Wash and vac all that gunk out, it'll take a while, then prime and seal with your product of choice. Use a big push broom to coral gunk/water towards the vac.

[subego]

This is an odd pattern. It's less disgusting in real life than in this photo.

Those "hairs" are along where my tires ride, but not where they actually sit, which has worn away completely. Not how I'd expect the paint to react.

I'm doing some rag experimentation, and there's definitely a layer of rubber along that tire line which will need a pressure washer to get out.