Whether in a residential or commercial space, polished concrete flooring offers a unique focal point. The grey undertone with smooth and gloss finishes provide warmth, light and luxury. Polished concrete can add value to your space for many years. But to get the most out of these floors, you must know how to maintain them.
To help you learn, we’ve compiled a guide to caring for your polished concrete floors, including maintenance and cleaning tips.
Are Polished Concrete Floors High Maintenance?
With proper cleaning and care, polished concrete floors can be low-maintenance. Neglecting maintenance can lead to premature wear and increase cleaning and upkeep requirements.
How To Maintain Your Polished Concrete Floors
Keeping polished concrete flooring in excellent condition for longer requires some effort. Here’s some maintenance tips to help you get started:
Regular Cleaning Schedule
One of the best ways to keep your polished concrete floors looking brand new is with frequent maintenance. A daily, weekly or monthly cleaning schedule can limit your maintenance requirements, preserve the condition of your floors. You can create a cleaning schedule based on the size and location of your space and the amount of foot traffic you get.
For example, bigger spaces in public areas like receptions may get more foot traffic and require daily cleaning. Spaces with limited accessibility may require weekly or monthly cleaning. You can also plan to clean specific areas more often than others. For example, you can prioritise your kitchen daily.
Use Suitable Tools
Another essential maintenance tip is using suitable cleaning tools. Polished concrete is different to natural or unpolished variants. It has a smooth or sleek finish, requiring careful use and maintenance. Equipment like bristle brushes and other abrasive tools can etch the surface and leave scratches and dents. Soft microfiber pads and mops are essential to prevent scrapes and other wear.
Dry and Wet Clean
Dry and wet cleaning are necessary when maintaining polished concrete. Wiping your floors with a dry mop helps reduce dust and prevents it from building up. Washing your floors with a clean, wet mop and warm water helps lift grease and dirt and keeps them shiny.
PH Neutral Cleaning Agents
One of the best ways to maintain and preserve your polished concrete flooring is with PH-neutral cleaning agents. Unlike regular detergents, these products are non-abrasive and have mild ingredients that effectively remove dust and dirt without compromising your surface or the sealer installed.
Spot Clean Spills and Marks
While polished concrete has an additional protection layer, it is not waterproof or stain-resistant. Spills can seep into the surface and discolour or stain your flooring. To prevent unsightly and permanent marks, spot-clean spills when they happen.
Cleaning Tips
Cleaning your concrete flooring is one of the most important maintenance steps. To help you maximise your maintenance, here are some cleaning tips:
- Use a clean mop and water: A clean mop and bucket prevent transferring dirt and debris onto your surface and give you the best results.
- Use a floor scrubber for larger areas: Automated floor scrubbers with gentle pads can be more efficient when cleaning bigger areas and offer a more polished finish.
- Scrub with non-abrasive pads: When removing or scrubbing stains and marks, non-abrasive scrub pads are best to protect the surface.
- Suspend dust with a neutral soap cleaner: Neutral cleaners like stone soap have ingredients that settle dust and prevent it from building up.
- Let the product set in before mopping: Allowing your cleaner to set in helps break down grease and other contaminants for easy removal.
- Avoid letting your cleaning solution dry: Cleaners can leave dull spots or discolour your surface if you let them dry on your floor. To prevent it from drying, apply your cleaning solution to one section at a time or the area you’re working on.
How To Protect Your Polished Concrete Floors
Now that you know how to maintain and clean your concrete flooring, learn how to protect it.
Non-Abrasive Equipment
The best method for preserving your floor’s sheen and appearance is to use tools made of non-abrasive materials, such as microfiber mops and brushes.
Avoid Vacuuming and Steaming
Vacuuming and steam cleaning are excellent for various home areas. But they’re not ideal for cleaning your polished flooring. These devices often have attachments with abrasive materials like bristles, wheels and rubber. Using them on your floors can cause scuff marks, scratches and other damage.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Avoiding harsh chemicals and detergents on your concrete flooring is vital to preserving its sheen and condition. Here’s what not to use on a polished concrete floor:
- Bleach
- Alkaline cleaner
- Ammonia
- Vinegar
- Hydrochloric acid
- Citrus Solutions
- Acidic or alkaline products
Use Mats and Rugs
Another excellent way to protect your polished concrete floors is with rugs or mats. Place a rug or doormat at your entrance to collect outside debris and moisture and prevent it from transferring onto your floors.
Apply a high-quality Sealer
Applying a sealer over your polished concrete offers an additional barrier against moisture and dirt. It can also improve your floor’s durability, sheen and lifespan.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Do polished concrete floors need to be sealed? yes, it can offer benefits like improving stain resistance and durability and ease of maintenance.
How often do you need to reseal polished concrete? While you should reseal your polished concrete floors between 2 and 10 years, it can depend on their lifespan, maintenance quality and environmental conditions.
What is the best mop for polished concrete floors? Microfiber dust mops work best for polished concrete. They trap dirt and dust and are gentle on your polished surface.
Is polished concrete flooring expensive? Polished concrete flooring can be affordable compared to hardwood and tiles.
Maintain Your Polished Concrete With Premium Coatings
Premium Coatings Australia is an industry leader in surface preparation and sealing solutions. We specialise in cleaning and sealing solutions for concrete flooring, including polished surfaces.
Our high-quality cleaners and sealers are professionally manufactured and tested against strict industry and environmental standards.