How to Treat Concrete Floors Before Carpeting Them

Sweep the floor thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Use a stiff broom or a vacuum with a strong suction on the floor. Make sure to sweep all corners of the room and use any vacuum attachments as needed.

Clean the floor with a mop and a bleach solution. Combine a gallon of water, a capful of bleach and a few squirts of liquid dish soap in a large bucket. Dip the mop in the solution, wring out the excess and mop the floor. The bleach will kill any germs on the floor while the dish soap cleans away any dirt left on the floor.

Mop the floor again with a second, clean mop and fresh, hot water. Before laying down carpet, you must remove as much of the soap and bleach as you can so the chemicals don't get trapped under the carpet.

Allow the floor to dry completely. Point large fans at the floor to help it to dry faster if needed.

Seal the floor with a concrete sealing product. Sealers are best applied with paint brushes or rollers for an even coating. The sealers are an effective measure in preventing moisture from getting into the carpet. Follow the drying instructions on the bottle.