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Terrazzo Maintenance: How to Keep Your Floors Clean

Aug 21, 2018

A special floor like terrazzo requires special attention. There are certain measures that can be taken to make sure your floor stays clean. Particular cleaning rituals can be done at specific time tables to protect terrazzo floors from becoming dirty or ruined. Here’s a timeline for what can be done for your terrazzo maintenance.

 

Initial Maintenance

 

Congratulations on your new terrazzo floor! We promise you won’t regret your install. Considering all the construction that has likely taken place to lay your new floor, there is probably a considerable amount of construction dust and debris floating in the air that will make its home on your terrazzo floor soon. To clean after installation make sure you use mild detergents along with a soft blue brush on a buffer for a vigorous initial cleaning.

 

Everyday Maintenance

 

A good floor needs daily attention to keep it looking beautiful! For terrazzo flooring, use a dust mop everyday to pick up loose dust and dirt that may be settling on your floors. If spills happen, clean them up immediately using a damp mop. Make sure you properly rinse your floors after cleaning a spill to avoid wear from detergent solutions. Be sure to check with a professional first to see if the detergent solution you are using is safe to use on your terrazzo floor. Harsh cleaners and sealers may damage the floor surface!

 

Weekly Maintenance

 

To clean up after dirt from light foot traffic, use a damp mop with all purpose cleaner. If your terrazzo becomes soiled within the week and is skid-inhibiting or a smooth surface take the following actions:

  1. Use a brush or a bristle on a power scrubber using a safe detergent solution. The type of solution will depend on the kind of dirt, dust or spill that has settled on the floor.
  2. Heavy messes will need to be removed with a cleaner or degreaser to get rid of tough stains.
  3. After scrubbing be sure to rinse off the cleaner and then vacuum to prevent any resettling from happening.

 

Heavy Maintenance

 

Heavy maintenance is not likely to be needed seeing as terrazzo floors are more resistant to wear and chemical attack than other flooring. However, in the event that heavy maintenance is needed and your terrazzo needs to be reinstalled, it’s likely the floor will need to be cleaned and recoated with an appropriate resin. Before recoating, make sure your floor is totally and completely cleaned and sanded down for the best bonding results.

 

Proper Terrazzo Maintenance is Important!

 

A terrazzo floor can make a great first impression, but not if it’s messy and dirty. In order to keep your floor looking beautiful, terrazzo requires daily and weekly maintenance. If you have any questions on maintaining your terrazzo and how to do this safely and properly feel free to call Floor Restore and More! We would be happy to help walk you through how to maintain the upkeep of your terrazzo floor!