Polished concrete floors are a popular finish that gives an industrial feel and streamlined look in offices and homes. Once relegated to sidewalks, basements and garages, an exposed concrete floor brings sophistication and modern aesthetics to any home.
While they look great and are low maintenance, they require care and cleaning to keep their lustre intact. Do you notice your floors starting to look faded and dull? It’s time to bring them back to life.
Here is how to clean polished concrete flooring.
1. Buy Your Cleaning Supplies
You can’t make a cake without measuring spoons, bowls and a cake pan because you need the right equipment. The same holds with cleaning your polished concrete floors.
Here is a cleaning supply kit you can assemble:
- Mop and bucket – string or micro fibre flat mop
- Vacuum
- Sponges – non-abrasive
- Microfibre dust mop
- Broom
- Soft towels or micro fibre clothes
- Polished concrete floor cleaner
- Clean water
Once you have these supplies at home, you can tackle any large or small area of your floor that needs cleaning.
2. Sweep the Floor
This is the first step that will clean up any large debris accumulating on the floor. Start with a regular broom and then follow with your micro fibre dust mop to pick up smaller particles left behind from the broom. This will get most of the visible dust from the surface.
3. Vacuum The Floor
Although the floor may look clean, fine dust should be removed as part of your cleaning regime. This will take a vacuum to remove, and you can use the one you have for the rest of the house. Make sure to put on a soft brush attachment so you don’t damage the surface of the concrete by scratching it. This should pick up any leftover dust particles from the floor easily.
4. Damp Mop
You can begin washing the concrete floor with your standard string or microfibre flat mop. This will work to remove dirt and grime stuck on the surface and any stains left behind from spills.
Use a mild cleanser designed for polished concrete floors with a neutral ph level so no discolouration or damage is done while mopping. It’s best to rinse out the mop after every pass so you don’t spread around any residual dirt. Follow the directions on the cleaner to get the correct water ratio to the cleaner and wring out the mop before hitting the floor to avoid access water on the surface.
5. Dry the Floor
Once you have finished washing the surface of the polished concrete floor, you need to dry it. Bare concrete easily absorbs water and drys on its own, but a polished concrete floor will require it to be wiped dry. Use a soft cloth or micro fibre towel to get all the leftover water off the surface. It is best to use circular motions to eliminate streaks, so keep a steady pace until you can’t feel any more moisture on the surface.
Following this cleaning routine on a regular, as-needed basis will keep your concrete floors clean and maintain their shiny appearance.
6. Follow Maintenance Tips
Apart from regularly cleaning your polished concrete floors, there are a few tips to make things easier and keep them in great shape for years.
Use Rugs and Mats
High foot traffic areas can be hard on a polished floor, so putting down a rug or mat in these locations, including entrances, walkways and even in front of the sofa, is best.
Wipe Up Spills Immediately
Accidents happen, but you should clean them up immediately so they don’t get walked on and spread around and stain the floor’s surface.
Seal the Floors Every Two Years
When you polish your concrete floors, a sealant is usually put on at the end for protection. This can wear down over time, so it’s best to reapply a sealant every two years to maintain optimal protection on the surface.
Avoid Dragging Anything Across the Floor
Scuffing and scratching can occur when something is dragged across the floor’s surface, leaving a permanent mark that will need repairing. It is best to pick up items and furniture to move them instead of pushing or pulling them. You can also use felt pads or cushions under furniture like table chairs that are frequently shifted.
This is how to successfully clean polished concrete floors. Like with everything in life, it takes some consistent effort to keep things in good condition, but it shouldn’t take you long to do. Then you can enjoy your beautiful floors in all their glory for years.
