Do-It-Yourself Decorative Concrete Staining

Sweep the concrete with a broom to remove debris, dirt or other foreign materials on the face of the concrete. Clean the surface with a stiff brush and a mild detergent cleanser. Mix the cleanser with water in a bucket according to the manufacturer's instructions and dip the brush in the mixture repeatedly while cleaning. Rinse the surface with a garden hose to remove the soap.

Mix a muriatic acid solution to apply to the surface to ready it for the stain. Mix the acid in a plastic bucket using 1 cup of acid for every 4 cups of water. Stir the mixture for two minutes to ensure it is properly blended. Pour the mixture into a plastic watering container.

Spray the concrete with the hose to wet it completely. Sprinkle the acid over the wet concrete and allow it to react with the surface for approximately 30 minutes. Spray the concrete with the hose again and use a large push broom to scrub at it. Rinse the concrete thoroughly and let it dry for at least 12 hours.

Sweep the dried concrete with a broom to remove any materials left behind from the acid and any debris that settled during the drying time.

Pour the stain into a paint tray in the center of the concrete. Connect a full-size paint roller to an extension pole. Dip the roller in the stain and start applying it to the floor starting at the farthest part of the concrete from your exit point.

Roll the stain on smoothly. When complete, allow the stain to dry for one hour and then check it for thin areas. Let the stain cure on the concrete overnight and roll another coat from the same starting point and working in the same direction. Let the stain dry for 24 hours before walking on it again.