Polished concrete floors provide both modern aesthetics and low maintenance. Recruiting a simple but effective care routine and consulting professional assistance when necessary will maintain the brand-new look of your floors for a long time.Â
In this article, we discuss the appropriate cleaning methods and how to know when you may need professional service.
The Basics
Keep Your Floor Clean
Ensuring that your surface remains clear of dust, dirt, and grime is at the top of the list for getting the most out of your polished concrete floor. Allowing contaminants to reside on the surface will affect the aesthetics of the floor as they will act as abrasives, leading to dulling and discolouration. Frequent and regular cleaning will drastically increase the lifespan of your floor. When cleaning, a standard microfibre dust mop, both dry and with clean water, is recommended.
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Use The Correct Mopping Solution
Using the correct cleaning solution means the difference between maintaining your surface’s aesthetics and needing professional solutions to restore your floor. An effective cleaning solution when mopping a polished concrete floor can be achieved with a few drops of natural, gentle, pH-neutral soap in a mop bucket. This should be used with warm water and a microfibre mop.
Cleaners such as ammonia, vinegar, or bleach should never be used on polished concrete floors as this will cause dulling, discolouration, or etching.
How often should you have your polished concrete floors professionally serviced?
It is recommended that the surface is inspected by a professional every two years and serviced every six years. However, this is subject to change depending on the quality of the installation and maintenance.
A key sign that your floor may be due servicing is if you notice that it is starting to look dull. If it the vastly different to the day it was installed, it is likely due for an inspection.
A standard residential servicing usually consists of a deep cleaning with a specialised floor scrubber followed by a high-powered buffer to restore the original glamour of the floor.Â
Minimising Maintenance Costs
Always Keep Your Floors Clean
When dealing with dust and dirt on your polished concrete floor, a dust mop should be used to remove them. The key to a healthy, lasting surface is keeping it clean.
Use Floor Covers
Floor covers, such as rugs, are an excellent preventative method against damage on concrete floors, especially in entrances. They provide assistance by reducing the volume of contaminants tracked onto the floor from daily foot traffic.
However, be wary when using a floor cover with rubber backings as these can dull the shine of polished concrete flooring. If possible, opt for felt-style backing. Polished concrete isn’t often slippery so a cover backing will not be necessary in most cases.
Avoid Using Wax
When concerned with polished concrete flooring, wax can cause damage that will require expensive repairs. This is because wax is considered a contaminant on these floors and buildup is difficult to strip. It may, at first, improve the appearance of your surface but this will be temporary and will later cause problems.
This also means that care should be taken when selecting cleaning materials, ensuring that it does not contain wax. This should not be a likely issue, however, as all that’s required is a mop and a small amount of natural soap.
Avoid Using Stick Tape
Although it may seem like a harmless piece of equipment to something like a concrete floor, even blue painter’s tape can damage a decorative concrete surface if left applied for an extended period of time. As it is often thought to not cause any harm, this is one of the most common maintenance issues associated with concrete flooring. It can also be quite costly to resolve.
Clean Spills Promptly
Liquid spills should be dealt with as soon as possible, leaving these to dry on polished concrete allows them to seep into the floor and cause stains.
This rule is even more important when reactive liquids such as vinegar, soaps, or wine are concerned. These liquids are famously damaging to polished concrete. Caution should also be taken with spilt oils.
Have Your Floor Periodically Inspected By An Experienced Concrete Floor Polisher
If there is a notable difference in the appearance of your floor from when it was installed then it will likely require a professional evaluation. A floor that is overdue servicing is more susceptible to staining and discolouration – leading to costly repairs.
Conclusion
Polished concrete is a fantastic durable and attractive flooring option that, if cared for, will last for a long time and require very little maintenance. Ensure that spills are dealt with swiftly and the surface is cleaned correctly using either a dust mop or vacuum or natural soap and water with a microfibre mop. Keep in mind all tips mentioned in this article and you should find that your polished concrete floor will be completely stress-free.
