How to maintain the shine in your polished concrete floors
There are many reasons people love polished concrete floors in Perth. They are cost-effective, pleasing on the eye, hypoallergenic, easy to clean, hard wearing, and require minimal maintenance. But one of the biggest appeals has to be the amazing shine.
It’s hard to describe just how beautiful a freshly polished concrete floor can be. It is the perfect marriage of strength & depth and crispness & refinement. It also creates a sense of light and airiness that is unmatched by other flooring treatments.
When you have a polished concrete floor, you’ll want to maintain this magic as long as possible. Good news is, while it will naturally lose some of its lustre over time, it is possible to prolong this from happening.
Here are a few simple things you can do to maintain the shine in your polished concrete floors.
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Choose a high-quality sealant
The type of sealer can have a vast impact on the final finish of your floors.
There is a wide range of sealers available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. As such, you will need to pick the one that’s most suitable for the finish you want to achieve (and maintain). At Designer Floors, we use a high quality sealant that results in a beautiful, longer lasting shine.
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Sweeping and mopping
Dust and dirt can dull even the shiniest of surfaces. So, to keep polished concrete floors looking their finest, regular cleaning is important. Thankfully, this couldn’t be easier!
Keeping your floors dust-free is as simple as a nightly sweep with a microfibre mop. If you don’t have one of these, a cotton or soft bristled broom will also do the job.
Then, once a week, go over the area with a damp mop. This will remove any residual dust and really get your floors shining again.
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Use a polished concrete floor cleaner
Exposure to acidity will quickly dull the shine of a polished concrete floor. As such, if you choose to use a floor cleaner, you need to make sure the pH is right.
Polished concrete has a slightly higher pH than most people would expect. Because of the coatings and treatments applied, it usually sits in the 10 to 12 range.
By contrast, most floor cleaners are considered “neutral” and have a pH range of 6 to 8. This means they are acidic compared to a polished concrete floor and can damage and dull the finish.
However, there are floor cleaners available that are specifically designed for polished concrete. If you want to keep your floors sparkling clean for as long as possible, seek one of these out… or just stick with warm water!
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Clean up spills swiftly
Further to the previous point, if something acidic – like orange juice or wine – is spilt on polished concrete, it can leave a stain. With this in mind, quickly cleaning up any spills is critical to maintaining the shine and finish of your floor.
Also, as concrete is porous, it is susceptible to water damage. Any liquid left sitting on the surface can seep in and cause a mark or discolouration. Water-resistant coating can help prevent this but mopping up any spills as quickly as possible is always the best protection.
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Use entrance mats
While polished concrete is fairly scratch resistant, marks are likely to show up if sharp objects are dragged across the surface. This can have a significant impact on the overall look of your floor, particularly if it happens regularly.
One of the most common causes of scratching is stones caught in the tread of people’s shoes. However, this can be easily prevented by placing mats at any entrance points. Doing this will also help limit the amount of dust and dirt dragged in from outside.
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Watch out for signs of damage and ageing
While polished concrete is one of the most robust flooring options available, inevitable ageing will occur therefore regular maintenance is important, and repairs may be required every few years or so.
Most problems will start out minor so, by following our above-mentioned tips, you will be able to spot issues early and keep on top of maintaining your polished concrete floors.
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Ask the professionals
When in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you’re not sure which cleaner to use or have noticed some marks or cracks, consult an expert.
At Designer Floors, we are always happy to answer questions and offer advice. We really believe it is the best flooring option available and want everyone to get the most out of their polished concrete. If you’d like to discuss your maintenance routine, or are considering upgrading to polished concrete, give us a call.