How to clean polished concrete floors ?

The reason why polished concrete floors are renowned and loved by the property owners that have them is that they are low maintenance. By low maintenance, we mean in relation to the financial cost but also when talking about the daily cleaning required. All they need is a combination of average routine cleaning and the occasional professional servicing from a trained polished concrete & grinding company. This is more than enough to keep your beautiful glossy floors looking good as new for as long as a lifetime. 

What is the best way to clean polished concrete floors?

• Daily clearing of dust, spills, and dirt

The main fundamental principle of keeping your polished concrete floor clean is to always clear the surfaces of dust, dirt, and grime. You can use vacuums designed for wooden floors for daily cleaning duties. Mechanical polished floors may even need less frequent cleaning. Dust mopping is another option for daily cleaning requirements. You can use a standard microfiber dust mop both dry and with clean water for non-abrasive cleaning. 

• Use mild cleaners

Your polished concrete will also need wet mopping from time to time and it is important to use the correct cleaning solution. Use gentle, non-acidic, pH-neutral soaps because anything harsh can affect the shine of the polish. Use this in conjunction with warm water and a microfiber-style wet mop. Be careful with the bucket on the surface because it can scratch away at the sealant. Even pantry staple products can work as cleaners, consider dish soap as an example. All you need is a few drops, and it will do the job of cleaning and disinfecting. 

• High-Traffic area cleaning

There are naturally areas where there will be more foot traffic than others. In commercial buildings, this will be around the reception, at the lifts, and in cafeteria areas. This can also include polished benchtops where visitors tend to settle for long periods of time. In industrial settings, there may be parts of your polished concrete floors which experience high amounts of heavy traffic from vehicles or machinery. These areas may need more specialized cleaning. You may need to purchase a professional scrubber or buffer that is safe for polished concrete floors. Only use manufacturer-cleared products and the recommended amount of water. The specific density of the pads used should also strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. You could also consider using mats or rugs on the floor in high-traffic areas and at entryways to catch dirt or protect against abrasion. 

• Soft-bristled sweeping

It’s also a good idea to invest in brooms with very soft bristles because they can assist in weekly cleaning. Sweeping on a regular basis, depending on traffic volume on the premises, can help to remove particles that will act like sandpaper to polished concrete floors when stepped on. 

• Never wax polished concrete floors

You might see a shiny surface and think that, as you do for your car, it will need wax and buff. Wax is a contaminant on polished concrete flooring and if used, can end up in a costly bill of repairs. Wax build-up is also very difficult to strip away when maintenance is required. It also isn’t an effective cleaning tactic because it only temporarily improves the appearance of your floor. This means you’ll also have to throw out any floor cleaners that have added wax as an ingredient. Typical mopping products have this issue. A damp mop with a small amount of gentle soap is all that’s required. 

• Avoid sticking tape or glue 

Your average, everyday painter’s tape is usually the main culprit here. It is known to damage the surface of polished concrete floors when used for long periods of time. This and other sticky substances, like glue, can affect the sealant in a negative way and strip away the sheen. This is the most common mistake made by most people across Australia. It can be easily avoided because we should all consider how expensive polished concrete can be.

How often do polished concrete floors need professional maintenance?

We’ve already mentioned this, but polished concrete floors are one of the very few high-sheen applications that don’t require frequent stripping and waxing. Therefore, regular cleaning is so important because if maintained, you will only require professional servicing every 5 years or so. If your polished concrete floors begin looking dull, which can happen in high foot traffic areas, this may be an indication that it is time for an expert to do some maintenance. Premier Polished Concrete and Grinding offers specialized floor solutions but we also offer the maintenance required to protect your investment. Maintenance is always as simple as a one-day job unless there are scratches and cracks to deal with. This should be performed approximately every five years. 

There are many options available to you to finally achieve that glossy finish on your concrete floors and we are committed to working with you to tailor a Polished Concrete solution that exceeds your aspirations. The team is also open to exploring budgets and the cost of concrete polishing to suit your needs. We are based on the Mornington Peninsula, servicing all of the S.E Suburbs, Gippsland and Victoria.