Concrete Polishing can be one of the best long-term investments you can make in either business or residential applications. There are so many benefits to choosing a polished concrete floor. Not only does a polished floor add beauty to your space, but it is also environmentally friendly, easy to clean and maintain, slip-resistant and light reflective. The artistry and uniqueness of polished concrete floors are increasing in popularity in warehouses, restaurants, hotels and in homes. With the right care and maintenance, your concrete floor will remain to look new for the extent of its long life.
Daily Dusting
Dust and dirt are the number one enemy to the surface of the concrete and will act like sandpaper when trapped between your feet and the floor. Using either a broom and dustpan or a dust mop to remove the daily deposits of dirt from the surface prevents the scrapes and scratches from the dust particles. A shop vacuum can also be used if you find that more convenient.
Weekly Mopping
Each week you will want to thoroughly remove the dust particles that may have been missed with the daily cleaning. Mopping with clean water, or water mixed with an acceptable cleaner removes the particles that have been trapped in small cracks or dips in the concrete surface. Switch out the water as frequently as needed to keep the water clean. The last thing you want to do is increase the risk of a stain on your floor by spreading the dirty water over the surface. Making sure to immediately wipe up spills is mandatory to keeping your floor looking new.
Use a Neutral Cleaner
Using a floor cleaner that is made for concrete is the best cleaner to use. It needs to be pH neutral and non-acidic. Using a cleaner specifically for floors that have the capability of suspending dirt particles in the solution will help to pull most particles from the floor. As much as you may love the scent of a clean area, never use bleach, pine-based cleaners, citrus cleaners or vinegar. Cleaners you are comfortable using for most cleaning projects may seem effective, but they will damage the surface of the floor and cause its beauty to diminish over time by deteriorating the integrity of the concrete.
Always Clean in Smaller Sections
When cleaning concrete in a large area, divide the area into smaller sections. Don’t wet down more area than you can work on in about five minutes. You don’t want the cleaning solution to dry, but you do want to let it soak long enough to break down the grease, grime, and other contaminants so they can be removed. You want to remove it with a wet vac or the mop as quickly as possible after it has worked to avoid staining. Wiping up accidental spills as they happen is important too. It is much easier to prevent stains from happening than removing them once they are set.
Yearly Buffing
Once a year, you may want to use a high-speed burnisher to polish your floor. Similar to when a dentist polishes the surface of your teeth with a gritty polish, this machine uses a large, soft pad and the tiny particles of dust on the surface of the floor to act as a polishing agent. It seems contradictory in nature, but in this case, a small amount of dust is beneficial. After the polishing, use a dry mop to remove the loose particles, then complete with a wet mop to finish the process.
Polished concrete is becoming increasingly popular, not just for its aesthetics and beauty, but for its durability and longevity. When polished, the natural beauty of the concrete shines through and will cause an area to appear bright, clean and spacious. Maintenance of a polished concrete floor is minimal when compared to any other flooring surface. Care of wood flooring, tile, carpet, and laminate is much more time consuming and costly when compared to the few steps mentioned above. Just a few minutes a day, with an additional small amount of time each week, will keep the preservation and the beauty of your polished concrete floor for many years to come.
