Many people have decided to replace more traditional forms of indoor flooring with concrete. While concrete has been used since Roman times, installing modern, sealed or polished concrete floors has become a growing trend with varieties of styles never seen before. Many choose sealed or polished concrete floors over vinyl flooring because concrete floors do not require waxing and stripping every year which saves people a lot of money. Every flooring system requires some sort of care and maintenance to uphold its finish so it is important to care for your sealed or polished concrete floors properly.
Although concrete floors tend to involve the lowest maintenance costs amongst all flooring options, several techniques can be used to increase the lifespan of your floor. Below are 6 of the best tips you can use to care for your concrete floors.
1. Use Microfiber
Soil is a major component of concrete and can act as an abrasive that attracts dust particles which can be difficult to remove. Using a microfiber pad to clean your floor system can work wonders for removing pesky dust particles that create micro digs which can ruin the shine and clarity of your floors.
Try using microfiber pads on your mop heads to ensure that you are not leaving any dust particles behind after your cleaning session.
2. Wipe Away Spills Immediately
Many people prefer concrete over other floor systems like carpet because concrete floors do not stain nearly as easily. Although concrete is a much more durable material, it is still important to wipe up any spills as soon as you notice them as spills can be absorbed by the concrete surface and cause your floors to decay.
3. Use Appropriate Cleaning Solutions
If your floors see heavy traffic and require frequent cleanings, it is recommended to make use of a neutral floor cleaner in wet mopping. A neutral floor cleaner is created to suspend the dust and debris easily without being overly harsh on your floors finish. As a rule of thumb, try to use only pH neutral material as a cleaning solution. Some products that are not pH neutral include ammonia, citrus cleaners, bleaches, pine-based cleaners, and vinegar.
4. Be Systematic
It is important to be systematic when it comes to cleaning your floor system. A good cleaning strategy becomes even more essential when cleaning large areas of concrete floors. Allowing your cleaning solution to dwell in order to loosen dirt and grime without letting the agent dry too quickly is important to effectively cleaning your floors.
Try dividing your entire floor into small areas and cleaning the solution from the first area before gradually moving on to the next. With this approach as well as with maintaining a clean mop and mop water, you can ensure that your floors will sparkle and shine after every clean.
5. Use Clean Mops and Water
During a wet wash of the concrete floors, make sure that you keep your mop and mop water clean. Allowing your mop to accumulate dirt during the cleaning process will only result in your circulating dirt back into your floors which will lead to your floors becoming dull over time.
When your mop water becomes cloudy with dirt, toss your mop water and wring any excess water from your mop and refill your mop bucket with water and cleaning solution. Repeat this process as necessary.
6. Shine and Polish Regularly
If your floor seems to be losing its shine or polish with time, running a high-speed burnisher over it will help rejuvenate its original luster. Wet burnishing is also a great option and using products like ‘Guard’ as a polishing solution will release stubborn dirt from your floors and allow a deeper cleaning.
Along with your regular cleaning routine, it is recommended to polish concrete floors once every two years in order to maintain their brilliance.
