Concrete floors are a favourite choice for both residential and commercial spaces as they are durable, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing. They can be seen in homes, garages, warehouses, and offices due to their versatility. Like any other surface, concrete floors need proper cleaning and maintenance to ensure longevity while maintaining their aesthetic look.
Why Proper Concrete Floor Maintenance is Essential?
If concrete floors are not cleaned and maintained regularly, they can accumulate a lot of dirt, stains, and grime, which ultimately leads to damage over a long period. Hence, a proper maintenance schedule is essential.
Prolongs Lifespan
With regular cleaning of concrete floors, you can easily prevent the buildup of debris that causes surface damage.
Enhances Aesthetic Appeal
A clean floor improves the overall look of a space, making it more inviting and aesthetic.
Reduces Health Hazards
Mould and dirt buildup can cause various allergies and respiratory problems. This can be more serious for babies and older people.
Prevents Slips and Falls
A clean and dry surface reduces the risk of accidents. Slips and falls can cause serious injuries.
Preserves Sealing and Coatings
With a proper cleaning and maintenance routine, the sealants and coatings of floors last longer.
Essential Supplies for Concrete Floor Cleaning
Soft Bristle Broom or Dust Mop: This helps to remove loose dirt and debris.
Microfibre Mop: Cleans stains and grime easily.
pH-Neutral Cleaner: Gentle cleaners are most suited to cleaning and maintaining concrete surfaces.
Degreaser: Removes oil and grease stains that can’t be removed with ordinary cleaners.
Pressure Washer: This is essential for outdoor concrete floors in driveways and patios.
Good Floor Sealer: A good quality sealer protects and enhances the longevity of your concrete surfaces.
Step-By-Step Process for Cleaning Concrete Floors
Regular Sweeping and Dusting
A simple sweeping and dusting routine can dramatically save your concrete floors in the long run. This is because dust and dirt particles can scratch the floor surface over time. A soft bristle broom or a dry mop is the best choice for a daily cleaning routine.
Mopping with a Mild Cleaner
It is advisable not to use harsh chemicals as they can erode the top surface of the floor, creating a stain. This ruins the overall look of your space. You can mix a pH-neutral cleaner with warm water and mop the floor thoroughly. The neutral cleaners ensure that the surface remains clean and protected.
Tackling Stubborn Stains
There are certain stains that do not come off easily, and sometimes the cleaners are also not able to remove them.
Oil Stains: Apply a degreaser over the oil stain and scrub it off with a stiff-bristled brush.
Rust Stains: Use a mixture of vinegar and water to break down the rust.
Mould and Mildew: Mix bleach with clean water and apply it over the mould buildup.
Deep Cleaning with a Pressure Washer
For driveways, patios, and other outdoor concrete surfaces, a pressure washer is the best choice as it effectively helps in removing built-up dirt and stains.
Drying and Sealing
Once the cleaning has been completed, you need to allow the floor to dry completely. Applying a good-quality floor sealer then helps to protect the surface from future stains and moisture damage.
Tips for Long-Term Concrete Floor Maintenance
- Use Doormats and Rugs: The amount of dirt accumulated on concrete floors is reduced with the use of doormats and rugs.
- Clean Spills Immediately: You should wipe off any spills as soon as possible to prevent stains from setting into the porous surface.
- Reapply Sealant Periodically: Sealants are perfect for maintaining the protective barrier on the surface.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Always stick to pH-neutral cleaners to prevent damage. Even if you need to use vinegar for difficult stains, mix it with warm water to prevent damage to the surface.
- Use a Wet Mop When Needed: Mopping helps to remove dirt and stains without harming the finish of the concrete floors.
- Implement a Routine Cleaning Schedule: Regular maintenance also greatly reduces the need for deep cleaning sessions.
- Prevent Scratches: Do not drag heavy and sharp objects across the floor.
The Densification and Polishing Process
For polished concrete floors, the densification and polishing process hardens and strengthens the surface while adding shine. It also makes the floor resistant to wear and minor scratches.
In densification, you apply a chemical hardener over the floor that reacts with calcium hydroxide in the concrete. The reaction creates a resilient surface that is resistant to wear, stains, and minor scratches. The polishing process is done after the densification is complete. During the polishing, the surface is ground with finer abrasives to achieve the required level of shine. This helps to restore the floor’s natural shine while also making it resistant to daily foot traffic.
To maintain the polish of concrete floors, you can regularly use a dry mop with occasional damp mopping with a neutral cleaner.
Conclusion
Concrete floors are highly durable options that are low maintenance. Hence, with proper care, their aesthetic appeal can be enhanced. Make sure that you follow the right cleaning techniques and use the appropriate products so that the floors look pristine and remain in excellent condition for a long time. At Harmony Clean, we understand the power of a clean and fresh environment and are committed to providing you with just that.
Keep your floors clean and enjoy a healthier life!