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To prep a floor for painting, start by sweeping and cleaning any loose debris that could puncture the protective material. Take out as much furniture as possible. Then lay plastic, canvas, rosin paper, or masonite sheets across the room, securing them at the edges with masking tape. Plan your painting so that you minimize the chances you’ll step in and track any splatters.

Concrete can take years to fully settle, but interior concrete floors are mostly settled after a year. Shifting and settling can occur throughout your home’s life, but most major settling happens the first few years after the concrete is poured. It’s not uncommon for minor cracks to appear in concrete floors over time—check with a concrete pro to ensure new cracks don’t indicate a structural issue in your home.

You can whiten concrete for unsealed and unfinished concrete with a solution or either muriatic acid or bleach and water—but never both. However, if your concrete does have a stain, finish, or polish, keep in mind that these hard chemicals could damage the topcoat. Your best bet otherwise is to power wash outdoor concrete slabs or clean indoor ones with a gentle cleaner such as laundry or dish detergent.

To improve the appearance of concrete steps, you can repair any damage, refresh the surface, and add decorative elements. For crumbling, chipping, or broken sections, consider concrete resurfacing or light repair. If the surface is intact but discolored, applying a coat of paint, stain, or concrete sealer can refresh its look; reapplying a sealer every one to two years is recommended for maintenance. For a quick enhancement, you can also add decorative items like potted plants, garden statues, lanterns, or decorative railings to spruce up the area.