Infoineed.com
Polished concrete floors are growing in popularity due to their attractiveness, durability and easy maintenance. The high gloss look of this flooring is created by treating the concrete with an acid-based stain, which is followed by a protective sealant. This creates an extremely glossy appearance that is appropriate for both homes and businesses. The shine of this flooring may be damaged over time if not properly cared for. Read on to learn how to keep polished concrete floors gleaming.
Cleaning Methods
The single most important step in maintaining this type of flooring is keeping it clean. Developing a regular schedule to remove grit and soil build up is vital in preventing permanent damage to the floor’s finish.
- Sweep daily to remove dirt and grime, which could lead to tiny scratches when walked on repeatedly. Use a floor sweeper with soft, disposable cloths or a dust mop to remove the soil.
- Mop the floor each week. This eliminates any particles left behind after sweeping and helps to maintain a high gloss appearance. There are special solutions available to clean polished concrete, but a bucket of warm water with one cup of white vinegar added also does an excellent job.
- Go over the floor with an absorbent towel to soak up moisture after mopping. This leads to a shinier appearance once dry and prevents falls, as polished concrete is very slick when wet.
Precautions
Keeping polished concrete clean is important, but it’s not the only necessary step in proper maintenance. There are a few mistakes that people often make that can lead to permanent damage of the floor’s finish or even a personal injury.
- Clean up spills as quickly as possible because some foods and drinks may cause a stain if allowed to remain in place for several minutes.
- Avoid dragging heavy furniture across the floor because this could lead to deep scratches that are difficult to repair.
- Don’t be tempted to save time by running a vacuum over the floor, as the stiff rotating brush on the machine’s bottom may cause scratches.
- Position rugs on the floor in front of entrances to collect dirt and dampness from shoes. You should also place rugs in front of sinks and bathtubs to catch moisture that splashes out. Make sure that the rugs you select have non-slip padding on their bottoms to prevent falls.
Restoring the Shine
Polished concrete floors will eventually lose some of their shine as they age no matter how well you maintain them. Unlike many other floor coverings, expensive repairs aren’t necessary to restore a gleaming appearance.
- Go over the floor with a manual polishing pad to eliminate small scratches. This does require a little elbow grease, but you will be amazed at how efficiently it restores shine.
- Use a floor polishing machine if scratching is extensive. This is a simple and fast way to restore gloss, even on older floors.
Polished concrete is a long-lasting and simple to care for flooring choice. The high shine of this flooring can be maintained for years by diligent cleaning and taking a few common sense precautions. If cared for properly, polished concrete floors will continue to add beauty to your home or business for many years to come.
