Polished concrete surfaces are extremely durable; however they still need to be properly cleaned and maintained.
The Importance of Maintaining Your Concrete Floor
By nature, concrete is an incredibly strong and durable flooring option, which is why polished concrete floors can last for decades. These decorative concrete finishes are highly damage resistant, even when exposed to high volumes of foot traffic.
In terms of maintenance, polished concrete floors require far less upkeep than many other floor coverings, but there are still a few things required to ensure they retain their visual appeal for the long term. Proper maintenance of your polished concrete can aid in increasing the lifespan of your floor by a decade or more.
Before you begin cleaning your concrete floor, it’s a good idea to determine your plan of attack. Examining the current condition of the floor will inform you as to how often it needs cleaning – is the floor used occasionally or frequently throughout the day? How much foot traffic does it get?
It is also wise to consider the cleaning equipment you will require to get the job done. Will you be able to steam mop the area? Or is it large enough that you’ll require a floor scrubber?
Tips For Maintaining Polished Concrete Floors
Polished concrete flooring is a terrific choice for any residential or commercial space. They are low-maintenance, durable and easy to clean. Here’s a few ways you can keep your polished concrete flooring looking as good as new.
Daily Vacuum On Hard Floor Mode
The fundamental principle of maintaining your polished concrete flooring is to clear the surface of dust, dirt and grime. This can be achieved by using a vacuum designed for wooden flooring, or set to hard floor mode, for daily cleaning.
Mop With Clean Water & Neutral pH Floor Cleaner
Polished concrete flooring can be cleaned using water and neutral pH floor cleaners. Choosing a neutral pH cleaner is critical to avoid potential deterioration of the surface. Acidic or alkaline cleaners can cause surface damage, dulling the shine of your polished concrete.
Abrasive cleaners or chemicals are not required in the maintenance of polished concrete floors. In high traffic or larger areas where additional cleaners may be necessary, automatic floor scrubbers with non-abrasive pads can be used. It is also important to use neutral cleaning products when cleaning spills to prevent staining.
Spot Clean Spills Immediately To Prevent Staining
Spills will result in stains to your polished concrete surface if they’re allowed to settle on the floor for extended periods of time. This is particularly true if the spill contains any liquid that is acidic, alkaline, caustic or citric. These types of liquids cause surface etching when left unattended for too long, highlighting the importance of cleaning spills as they occur.
Things To Avoid When Cleaning Your Polished Concrete Floor
To maximise the lifespan of your polished concrete floors, it is advisable to steer clear of a few things.
Alkaline & Acidic Floor Cleaners
As mentioned, floor cleaners that are either too acidic or too alkaline should be avoided as they can cause damage to the surface of your polished concrete. This includes products such as ammonia, bleach, vinegar, hydrochloric acid or citrus-based solutions, as well as acidic and alkaline cleaning products.
Rubber Products
Rubber products can leave permanent marks on the surface of your concrete flooring and as such, should be avoided. This includes floor mats with rubber backing and rubber floor protectors used on the end of furniture legs. As an alternative, felt floor protectors can be used to prevent permanent markings and reduce scratching on your polished concrete surface.
How Often Do Polished Concrete Floors Require Professional Maintenance?
Unlike a majority of other high sheen floor coverings, polished concrete doesn’t require frequent stripping and waxing to maintain its shine. This highlights the importance of regular cleaning, which if done correctly will mean your floor requires professional servicing every five years or so. When your polished concrete flooring begins to look dull, this is a good indication you’re due for some expert maintenance. Maintenance is generally a one-day job unless there are significant scratches or cracks on the surface.
Why Choose DS Grinding?
Since 2009, DS Grinding has been the leading team of concrete polishing and grinding specialists in Perth. We are focused on delivering best in class mechanically polished, and honed external concrete, for residential and commercial projects across Perth and Western Australia.
With a heavy focus on research and development, we have invested heavily in our processes, equipment and tooling, allowing us to create some of the most visually stunning concrete applications for our clients. We have helped hundreds of property owners take their concrete surfaces to the next level with eye-catching finishes. To discuss your next project, get in touch with our expert service team.