Which Products Should You Use to Clean Polished Concrete

2020-07-06

Surface preparation is a vital step in the concrete polishing process, but maintenance is the key to making sure that a floor lasts. Foot traffic, heavy machinery, dirt, grime, spills, and more can dirty polished concrete and wear down the topcoat sealant over time, causing a floor to lose its shine. Luckily, polished concrete is low-maintenance and easy to clean. 

Not so luckily, we hear all too often that contractors and owners of polished concrete floors aren’t sure which products are appropriate for regular use. The last thing you want to do is damage your hard work or have to perform costly repairs. DTS Diamond Tools and DTS is dedicated to providing suitable tooling at every stage of the concrete polishing process, along with the tools and equipment you need to successfully complete a job. Let’s take a look at the products you should be using to clean and sanitize polished concrete floors.

Products and Equipment for Cleaning Polished Concrete

Whether you’re leaving maintenance instructions behind for a customer or offering your own regular services, it’s essential to tackle the cleaning process with the correct tools and supplies. Here are our recommendations for cleaning polished concrete floors. This isn’t an exhaustive list—as every contractor finds a combination of maintenance equipment, like buffers, polishers, and scrubbers, that works best for their team—but it is an excellent place to start.

Dust Mop

The smooth, shiny look of a polished concrete floor makes the material appropriate for use in a wide range of settings, from private residences to retail stores to corporate offices. So it stands to reason that a dull floor will quickly lose its appeal! Dust mopping with a microfiber pad or sweeping daily will remove loose dirt and grime from the surface, helping to maintain the integrity of a floor and protecting it from potential damage caused by those tiny particles rubbing against it.

Wet Mop

In addition to daily dust mopping, regular wet mopping with water will help to remove more built-up grime. For a deeper clean, we recommend mopping with a cleaner at minimum once a week—but make sure that you choose a neutral-pH option that doesn’t contain any caustic components.

Specially Formulated Cleaners

About that cleaner—which ones are safe to use? This is one of the most frequent questions we get about cleaning polished concrete floors. Choose an inappropriate one, and you may find yourself dealing with a floor that is both dirty and damaged. Above all, remember to check the label on your potential cleaner. Ensure that it is both pH-neutral and without any caustic components. 

The DTS Cleaner is an excellent choice for daily cleaning and can be used with either an auto scrubber or mop. And if you’re dealing with a heavily soiled area, it can handle that, too! Simply reduce the dilution level and get scrubbing. If you’re cleaning with a mop, make sure not to let the cleaner pool or puddle in any one area.

Automatic Floor Scrubber With Non-Abrasive Attachments

If you’re faced with cleaning a particularly large surface area, consider investing in an automatic floor scrubber. These machines are ideal for both daily cleaning and regular deep cleaning—but you need to use the appropriate brushes and pads for polished concrete, or you’ll end up damaging the floor. We recommend white pads or soft white nylon bristle maintenance brushes.

Products to Keep Away From Polished Concrete Floors

As we mentioned, choosing the correct cleaner is essential if you want to maintain a floor and avoid damaging it. Standard cleaners may seem like a safe choice, but they can actually etch polished concrete and ruin its finish. Make sure to avoid using any cleaners that contain citric, caustic, or acidic components. 

Additionally, auto scrubbers used with coarse black brushes or pad drivers used alone without the appropriate pads can scratch your floor when you only meant to clean it. When in doubt, start out softer!

Install and Maintain Polished Concrete With DTS Diamonds.

Whether you’re installing an entirely new polished concrete floor or resealing an existing surface, DTS Diamond Tools has the tools and equipment you need to get the job done. We’re a full-service sales and rental facility with passionate team members and a robust inventory. Our speedy shipping process means that you’ll get the supplies you need, when and where you need them. Let us know before your next project—we’re happy to offer support at any level of your work.