Mop The Floor
With minimal maintenance, your polished concrete floors will be stunning for years. Daily dust mopping will remove dirt on the surface. However, regular wet mopping is very important to the longevity of your floor’s appearance. Here are some things you should know about properly cleaning your polished concrete flooring:
1) Damp mop your floors at least weekly.
2) Use a soft cotton mop or scrubber with a non-abrasive pad for larger commercial areas. Anything harsher can diminish your floor’s sheen quickly.
3) Use clean, hot water and replace it frequently to avoid streaking.
4) Frequently rinse your mop.
5) Only use a pH-neutral cleaning solution, if necessary. Avoid acidic cleaners like ammonia, citrus cleaner, bleaches, pine cleaners or vinegar.
6) Clean small areas at a time and allow to dry completely.
While dry and wet mopping will help you keep the grime at bay, we recommend polishing your floors every two to three years for higher-traffic spaces. This will keep them looking their best. If you have any questions, call the experts at Colonial Service at 503-238-6564.
To Protect and Preserve
Polished concrete is one of the easiest-to-maintain and most cost-effective flooring options available. They don’t require periodic waxing or polishing like stone, vinyl or wooden floors — that’s why they’ve become such a popular choice.
If you’ve invested in polished concrete, and your floors are stunningly glossy, you may be wondering how to keep them that way. A great deal of floor protection can depend on the protector, guard and sealer you have selected. While polished concrete flooring is durable and requires little maintenance, there are recommended steps you can take to protect and preserve its luster.
Mechanically polished concrete floors are difficult to scratch or mar. However, accumulated grit is abrasive and will wear down the shine on your floor. Especially in high-traffic areas, it is important to remove dirt and grime daily. Clean any spills or stains immediately so they don’t corrode or set into the surface. Using soft materials like microfiber can collect the dust and dirt without dulling the finish. When damp mopping, only use clean, clear water or a mild solution with a neutral Ph. If you have any questions, call the experts at Colonial Service at 503-238-6564.
A great way to add character to your concrete flooring is by dyeing it. Solvent-based and powder dyes come in a broader color palette than acid stains. While stains can appear mottled and muted, dyes are more vibrant. Solvent-based dyes penetrate concrete in an acetone carrier, while water-based dyes are more eco-friendly.
It is often recommended to apply dye during the grinding process prior to densification and final polishing. This will help keep the color rich, as application following densification will result in a lighter color. It is also recommended that the floor is dry polished if a dye has been applied to prevent the color from bleeding. You can achieve a deeper depth of the color penetration and intensity through several dye applications. It is also easier to control than stain, which can allow for more design possibilities.
Be aware that non-UV-stable dyes and may fade if applied to outdoor surfaces, so be sure to choose an exterior dye for outside application. Still curious about dyes for polished concrete? Give us a call at 503-238-6564 to find out more.