Tips for Cleaning Concrete Floors
Posted Nov.23, 2009 in Area Rugs
Concrete floors provide a stable and long-lasting solution, but are often exposed to more grime, contamination and damage than other types of flooring. Cleaning residential concrete floors, both interior and in garages, takes a specific approach and regular maintenance is necessary to keep them in the best possible condition, preserving their uniform look. That is especially the case with stained and textured concrete floors that are quite popular as flooring for certain types of premise.
General tips
Whenever using a wet mop, make sure you rinse it well afterwards and let it dry out before putting it away. Store the mop in a cool and dry place. Change the mop heads as often as necessary. Avoid leaving a wet mop inside the bucket.
Cleaning Interior concrete floors
Sweep the floor once a week or more, if needed. Use a dry mop for the daily maintenance routine. Vacuuming the floor when it’s dry is a good addition to the weekly sweeping. Use a canister type dry vac for best results.
To clean sticky grime, use a warm damp mop. The warm water helps lift up substances off the floor. Rinse the mop often during the procedure. You can also use a steam machine, but avoid the commercial ones which have deep clean capabilities, with a shampoo-type feature often included.
Cleaning Concrete Garage floors
When working on your vehicle or operating with automobile oils, place cardboard sheets or scrap newspaper on the floor to help catch any spills and prevent contamination of the floor. Whenever that happens, pack up and seal the soaked up paper in a plastic bag, then treat it as a toxic garbage.
If spills of a windshield fluid occurs, rinse the floor with water and use a wet mop to clean it out. Let fresh air go into the garage occasionally possible and allow the wet concrete surface to dry out.
Sticky grime can be removed with the use of a high pressure water sprinkler/sprayer and a stiff bristle broom. After the power sprayer does its job and the floor dries up, follow up by sweeping the spot with the broom, removing off any dirt that’s left over. You can use a larger wet vac in between to take care of standing water and debris.
One last thing, keep an eye for problems on your concrete floors regularly. Any cracks should be cleaned up with a hard wire brush or a stiff wire wheel attached to a drill, then patched up and sealed accordingly.
If you are contemplating buying a rug, you should know that you are making a wise move. Among other things, a rug will match your furniture and emphasize your floors. Getting a rug is very simple as there are lots of carpet dealers and stores all over.