How To Care For Interior Concrete Floors
Part of the wonderful world of fantastic concrete floors is how easy they are to clean. Interior decorative concrete floors of all styles share the incredible benefits of low maintenance and beauty that will last for decades. So, whether you have:
- Stained concrete
- Stamped concrete
- MarbleKoatTM
- Resurfaced concrete
- Polished concrete
You’ll never have to slave over cleaning your floors again or agonize over spills and stains since every Concrete Craft® decorative concrete floor design has an industry-tough finish that lets you maintain clean and shining floors with regular dry dust mopping and occasional wet mopping.
Any decorative concrete pattern, texture, or design has a continuous, sealed surface that makes the floor easy to clean
Practically indestructible, decorative concrete floors make having a clean home an easier task. The continuous, seamless finish is resistant to moisture, food and drink spills of all kinds, impact, scratches, scuffs, pet claws, and everyday wear and tear. Compared to other flooring types, like carpet or real hardwood, decorative concrete almost maintains itself. Whether a vibrant stained concrete floor, stamped concrete faux stone or wood, or a polished concrete finish, these floors stay looking like new with minimal care. So, let the kids, cats, and dogs have free reign, you’ll come up smiling!
Dry Dust Mopping
Regular dry dust mopping will keep your floors clean and shining. Depending on foot traffic, the number of pets, or small children who live on the floors, this may be a daily routine, every few days, or once a week. For best results, use a microfiber dust mop rather than cotton or rayon, since microfiber creates static electricity that grabs dust and dirt, so you aren’t just pushing debris around, you’re removing it from the floor’s surface.
- Do NOT spray the dust mop with cleaners or oils, these can create a very slick surface or dull the shine.
- Swiffer Sweepers are great for cleaning concrete floors with disposable dry sweeper pads or removable, washable microfiber covers. For a fun, inexpensive, and effective DIY, pull fuzzy socks over the Swiffer pad to dust.
- It’s easy to get behind and under furniture with a dust mop that flattens out to keep your floors dust-free even where you can’t see.
- Vacuuming is always a viable option, and robotic vacuums are excellent for keeping concrete floors free of all debris, including dust, pet hair, dirt, and crumbs.
- Dark hardwood floors show scratches, animal hair, and dirt more than lighter colors and may require dust mopping every day.
- Your home will have improved air quality and be more allergen-free when dust bunnies and dirt can be easily whisked away.
No hands-and-knees scrubbing is ever required to clean your concrete floors whether faux wood, tile, or stone
Occasional Wet Mopping
Depending on use, wet mopping maybe a weekly or monthly event. Undoubtedly a kitchen floor will need washing more often than a bedroom due to food and drink spills and constant use. Soap is not required every time a floor is mopped, a damp mop can be used without soap for regular cleaning. Again, microfiber mops are recommended, they are gentle, efficient, and can be tossed in the washer and reused.
- Start with a clean, dust-free floor.
- Only use neutral-pH cleaners like mild dish soap (pH 7 to 8). If it says “mild, gentle, or great for hands,” it should be safe to use. Castile soap is another great option, it only takes a few drops in a gallon of warm water.
- You can also shop for commercially prepared neutral-pH products. These cleaners work effectively in hard water or soft water. Mix the cleaning solution according to the manufacturer’s instruction and mop the entire floor in sections, rinsing the mop as you go.
- Depending on the cleaner, you may need to do an overall clear water rinse. Neutral-pH cleaners leave behind little to no residue and may not require rinsing.
- Be sure there are no puddles of water remaining on the floor.
- Never use bleach, ammonia, vinegar, Pine-Sol, or harsh detergents. These can dull, discolor, or etch polished concrete floors and can dull some stained concrete floors.
Enjoy more interesting pursuits with low-maintenance decorative concrete floors that greatly reduce cleaning time
Protect your concrete floors
Although easy to clean, there are some things you can do to improve performance as well as protect your decorative concrete floors, ensuring a long and beautiful life.
- Protect entryway, kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room floors with area rugs that will cut down on dust or dirt being tracked throughout the house.
- When spills occur, including food and drink, oils, pet messes, and sticky substances, a quick swipe with an absorbent cloth is all you need to preserve its integrity, leaving no lingering residue or odor.
- Don’t let water or other liquids collect on the floor, wipe up spills immediately.
- Interior stained or stamped concrete floors can get added protection from good floor wax.
- If your decorative concrete floors start to dull or show wear in highly trafficked areas, resealing for 18 to 24 months will restore it to like-new condition.
Now is a great time to transform your home with beautiful, new decorative concrete flooring. You’ll have easy-care floors all through spring and summer activities and for years beyond! Call 888-852-9244 today or go to www.concretecraft.com to find the Concrete Craft location nearest you and request a free in-home or virtual* design consultation. You can enjoy different flooring styles that replicate natural stone, tile, brick, or wood plank, and keep them all sparkling clean with only one stress-free cleaning regimen!
*Virtual consultations may not be available at every location
