Concrete Floor Care 101

Concrete flooring is one of the most durable types of flooring you can install in your home — not to mention it adds an interesting design element that is both contemporary and uncommon. It’s also easy to maintain if you follow a few simple guidelines.

Bust out the dust mop

The number one thing to do in order to preserve your concrete flooring is to dust mop it regularly. Dust mopping helps to prevent dust and dirt from building up on the floor, which can cause damage to the veneer or wear through the concrete sealer. Not to mention, getting rid of dust in your home leads to a healthier environment for you and your family.

You can use a light-duty sweeping apparatus or vacuum attachment for this if you want, but the best thing to use is a microfiber dust mop. It creates static electricity as you move it over the floor, which helps to snatch up small debris. Don’t treat the dust mop with any oils or cleaners, and make sure to shake it out occasionally so that you don’t scratch the floor’s finish.

Damp Mopping Concrete Floors

This works a lot like washing a home window. When you notice that the dust mopping isn’t removing all the debris or the finish of the floor loses its luster, damp mopping will help to remove debris and restore the gloss and shine to your concrete flooring.

It’s very important to use a pH-neutral cleaning product for this, however. And make sure to closely follow the manufacturer’s directions for the cleaner. If you have a local janitorial supply company, this is often where you can find the best cleaners for the cheapest price. Never use bleach, ammonia, or other harsh detergent cleaners on your concrete flooring. They can break down and discolor the floor finish and even strip away the sealer.

As you’re damp mopping with a loop end wet mop, it’s important to keep the cleaning solution from getting too dirty. Rinse the mop off in order to keep it clean. You also do not want to allow the cleaning solution to puddle.

Recoating Concrete Floor

Every type of flooring, including concrete, will wear over time from foot traffic. Concrete floors will need to have their finish restored from time to time so that the concrete sealer and the stain below it are not impacted by wear and tear. Most concrete floors require recoating every year.

Use a commercial grade floor finish for this step — again, found at a janitorial supply store. Apply with a garden watering can and spread it out with a loop end mop or with a lambswool applicator in thin, uniform coats. It normally does not take long to apply and dries in 30 minutes or less.