Simple tips for cleaning coloured and polished concrete
Caring for your new or existing decorative concrete is easier than you might think. Although concrete is a durable product, giving it some TLC on a regular basis is going to extend its lifespan and help retain its colour and beauty.
The type and amount of maintenance required will depend on the general wear and tear that your concrete surface is exposed to. We’ve listed some tips on how to care for your coloured and polished concrete.
The most important tip is to always trust the experts. Listening to what your decorative concrete supplier or installer advises for cleaning the surface and following their advice will save you a lot of work and heartache.
Coloured concrete care and maintenance tips
- Regularly clean the surface
Remove dirt, leaves and debris from the surface with a soft-bristled broom or a blower.
- Invest in sealing your concrete
Sealers do a lot of the hard work for you. Correctly sealing the concrete surface, it will repel water, dust, grime, dirt and debris from staining the surface. Plus, sealers can also provide resistance against scratches and abrasions, the weather and UV damage.
- Clean up spills
Remove any spills as soon as possible, even if the surface is sealed. Removing them early, you are preventing the spill from destroying the sealer and causing permanent stains or discolouring.
- Be careful with chemicals
This is where the advice from your concrete supplier or installer is invaluable. Using the wrong chemical can cause damage to the concrete and sealer. If you do use a chemical for cleaning, be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove any residual cleaning fluid from the surface of the concrete.
Polished concrete floors are extremely durable due to the polishing process and following these general cleaning tips will help to keep the floor in top condition for years to come.
Polished concrete care and maintenance tips
- Clean up spills
Remove spills immediately from the surface, especially if they are acidic. Quick actions can prevent the spill from destroying the surface or causing permanent stains.
- Remove rubbish and debris
Picking up large pieces of rubbish as soon as possible, will prevent them from breaking into smaller pieces and scratching the surface when stood on.
- Dry mopping
Using a dry microfibre mop or cloth will pick up dust from the surface of the concrete.
- Damp mopping
Damp mopping will help to pick up small pieces of rubbish or debris and any dirt left on the floor after dry mopping.
- Be careful with chemicals
pH-neutral cleaners can be used with a wet mop. Listen to the advice of your concrete supplier or installer for the best one. Using a cleaner that has ammonia, bleach, vinegar or citrus can cause damage to the surface.
- Use rugs and mats
Placing rugs and mats in high-traffic areas and entryways will help to catch the dirt before it reaches the concrete surface, making cleaning even easier.
If you have any questions or doubts when cleaning your decorative concrete surface, it’s always best to consult an expert for their advice.
