Polished concrete floors are a great addition to any space, especially if it is the main entryway. These modern and stylish floors go well with any decor and can be formed into a variety of patterns that coordinate or contrast with the overall design. They can also be easily maintained to ensure they have a long life. However, you must know how to properly clean polished concrete floors so that you don’t damage them. Here are a few great tips to keep your polished concrete flooring in tip-top shape.
Sweep Frequently
Many people sweep their floor once a week, but you should do this at least twice weekly so that it stays as clean as possible. If you haven’t swept in a while and the debris is thick, then use a broom or mop with stiff bristles to pull up the particles before using a vacuum to suck up any remaining dirt that’s stuck into the crevices of the floor. By doing this regularly, not only will your flooring stay shiny and well cared for, but it will also extend its life. Concrete floors that are neglected or aren’t thoroughly cleaned can become damaged, or have a buildup of dirt that causes stains.
Use the Right Cleaners
There are a variety of different cleaners that can clean different types of floors or but you need to use the right product for polished concrete floors. Just like with any surface material, using the wrong product will cause damage and ruin your floor. That’s why It’s important to understand which materials can be used to clean your flooring. Make sure you clean interior concrete floors at least once a week with a special cleaner made specifically for this material so they both look great and last a long time. Look for cleaners that are environmentally safe, gentle on the concrete surface, and will keep your floors looking great. One example of a good cleaner for this flooring type is solvent-based polyurethane.
Avoid Aggressive Chemicals
Chemicals can do serious damage to your polished concrete flooring. If you need to use chemicals to get rid of stains or other dirt accumulation, make sure you thoroughly rinse it all off before allowing it to sit on the surface of your flooring for too long. To avoid any extra application of chemicals, clean spills as quickly as possible and sweep often so that there’s less debris left behind to become embedded into the surface material. Also, be careful with what you wear when cleaning the floor because spilled liquids can cause stains on your clothes that are impossible to remove.
Get a Professional to Clean Your Flooring
If you have a large area or an especially high traffic floor, it might be time to call in a professional cleaner so they can take care of the work for you. Not only will this save you a lot of time and hassle, but also money by doing away with the need to purchase cleaning supplies every week. You can do most of the same things as a professional just by following these tips, but if time isn’t on your side then it might be best to let them handle everything from start to finish if possible. This is something that should be done once every six months unless you’re using another form of maintenance routine to keep your floors shiny and well cared for.
Seal Your Flooring Every Year
After you clean the floor, it’s time to seal it against future discoloration and damage. This is done by applying a clear wax or oil-based polyurethane which will both provide those with an additional layer of protection as well as keep your floor looking shiny and new every day. Again, make sure that this product is safe to use on polished concrete floors before using it to protect your investment from any outside elements that can cause damage over time. By doing this, you’ll not only prolong the life of your floor but also prevent issues caused by dirt or other materials building up too much over time wherever there is bare concrete exposed within your home.
Buff Out Stains
If you need to get rid of light stains, then you can use concrete polishing powder that will buff out these minor problems. Follow the instructions on the product you buy because one may require that it be mixed with water whereas another may only require that you sprinkle it over the stain and allow it to dry. Whatever type of polishing compound you use for this purpose, make sure that if there are any leftovers after cleaning up stains or other minor damage to your flooring, vacuum them up so they don’t become embedded into your floors. If not removed completely, bits of aggregate could catch dirt and cause deterioration over time where there’s bare concrete exposed within areas of your home.
No matter what type of concrete flooring you have it’s important to take the time out to clean them regularly so they stay looking their best for as long as possible. By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to keep your flooring nice and clean without using products that will cause damage over time.
