How to Clean and Maintain Terrazzo Flooring

How to clean terrazzo floors

Enjoying the start of their comeback, terrazzo tiles have seen a huge resurgence in popularity. Eco-friendly at heart, they stand for the most eco-friendly, sustainable material. Terrazzo in tile form is at the cutting edge of design, functionality, and style, and is used in everything from humble homes, and big office reception areas to upscale department stores.

Terrazzo was initially poured on-site using cement mixed with scrap natural stone bits and fragments. A poured Terrazzo floor is still viable, but the cost and lack of skilled craftsmen may make it prohibitive. The terrazzo was first known as a two-layered material, incorporating a top layer of the stone cement mixture with a layer of pure cement, in the form of tiles. Due to its weight, the tile was not the simplest material to install, particularly in a home setting, but this provided the tile performance strength, making it suited for supermarkets, railway platforms, and airport concourses.

Terrazzo Floors

Terrazzo tiles may now be created in one-layer tile forms because of recent technological advancements; with these tiles, a single layer of stone and cement are combined, and thanks to vacuum technology, the single layer can be utilized without a need for reinforcement. As a result, tiles can now be produced in extremely big formats, which gives the impression of a Terrazzo floor that has been poured, and they can also be used in both residential and commercial settings. Single-layer Terrazzo tiles may be cut and installed like genuine stone tiles since they are pre-finished at the factory, eliminating the need for specialized technical tools.

How to Clean a Terrazzo Flooring

Even the best-kept floors eventually require thorough cleaning. With a few straightforward procedures, terrazzo floors are simple to clean:

  • Sweep the floors to get rid of any loose dirt, food scraps, and other junk. If the floor is dusty, a dry mop can be helpful.
  • Wet mop the floor with simple water or a neutral cleaner—one that is neither acidic nor alkaline—and allow the cleaner to rest there for a while to dissolve the grime. In order to prevent the loose debris from simply drying back onto the floor during this period, it is crucial that the entire floor surface remain moist.
  • Use a squeegee or wet vacuum to remove the contaminated water, or thoroughly rinse the floor with clean water. Rinse it twice or more to completely get rid of the filth.
  • Buff your floors to restore sheen after it has dried.

Cleaning Terrazzo Floors with Neutral Cleaner

It could be time to perform a thorough clean on the terrazzo flooring if you see that it is gathering stains and marks that regular cleaning doesn’t seem to be able to remove. First, ensure that the floor has been thoroughly swept to prevent any lingering debris from adding more dings to its surface. However, these floors can thrive from daily cleaning to help preserve their appearance and prevent an accumulation of dirt if you only have a few minor scratches and merely wish to prevent more.

The ideal option for the polymers and the stones will be a product with a neutral pH that you may use to clean your terrazzo floor after you have completely swept it. Keep in mind that aggressive chemicals with a higher or lower pH should be avoided because they can destroy the natural stone. Vinegar, bleach, or oils shouldn’t be used on terrazzo flooring. There are various neutral cleaners that the manufacturer recommends that are specifically made for terrazzo floors.

Terrazzo Floors Maintenance Guide

Daily Maintenance

Use a dust mop to clean the terrazzo floor every day. Handwork the stains using a neutral cleanser diluted in warm water to get rid of tough stains and scuff marks.

Weekly Maintenance

A lightly stained terrazzo floor should be damp-mopped with a neutral cleanser every week. It is best to use a mechanical buffing machine and a neutral cleaner to scrub down very filthy flooring. Before the floor dries, wipe off all leftover debris with clean water. Dry the terrazzo floor completely before buffing it with a dry brush.

Annual Maintenance

Remove all finish coatings and any existing sealers. After cleaning the terrazzo floor, it should be resealed again.

Do’s and Don’ts When Cleaning Your Terrazzo Floors

Do:

– Seek the recommendations of your terrazzo installation professional for the best neutral cleaners and sealers to use on your floor.

– Every day, dust mop your floors. This collects both the dust and the grit that has been tracked inside your home. The hard surface floor is abrasively affected by the grit.

– For the first two to three months after installing a new terrazzo floor, scrub your floors at least twice a week to remove the construction dust that will eventually settle on your floor. Maintain the appearance of your floor after this time by cleaning it once a week, depending on how much foot activity there is. Always thoroughly rinse your floors to avoid a buildup of cleaner residues that can cause slipping.

– Seal your flooring using a water-based acrylic sealant as directed by the manufacturer. A new floor often needs two or more coatings, which give it a good gloss for 45 to 60 days before requiring extra coats.

– Use terrazzo-specific maintenance supplies.

– Give your neutral cleanser enough time to react as intended to loosen foreign objects once you’ve applied it to the terrazzo surface. It should just take a few minutes, but DO NOT let the solution set on the surface.

Don’t:

– Use all-purpose sealers or surface-only waxes. Surfaces that use such could become slick.

– Use all-purpose cleaners that don’t include dangerous acids, alkalis, or crystallizing salts that are water-soluble. Your terrazzo floor could degrade if you apply such products.

-Use inexpensive cleaners or sealants because labor makes up a significant portion of your maintenance costs.

– Without consulting your terrazzo contractor first, use miraculous cleansers or sealers on the floor.

More Terrazzo Floor Cleaning Tips

To maintain your floor’s gorgeous appearance, follow these tips:

  • Never use a cleaning or stain remover that contains oil. Terrazzo flooring can become permanently stained with oil compounds.
  • If using a cleaning solution from a store, especially one made specifically for terrazzo floors, try it first in a hidden location to look for discoloration.
  • By putting rugs or mats in high-traffic areas and close to the stove or refrigerator, you may prevent stains on your floor. You should also clean up spills right away.
  • To prevent a long-term accumulation of dust, filth, and debris on your floor, create a regular cleaning schedule. You can prevent overuse stains by doing routine cleaning.

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