How Choosing the Right Terrazzo Floor Cleaning Products Can Save You Time and Money

When it comes to maintaining your terrazzo floors, you often look for the most cost-effective solution to get the job done. However, many common cleaners strip your flooring of its natural shine, leaving it dull and vulnerable to further damage over time. When properly cared for, terrazzo flooring can last a lifetime, meaning that choosing to invest in the right products, sooner rather than later, will actually save you more money down the road. Here’s everything you need to know about properly caring for your terrazzo flooring.

Understanding Your Floors:

Terrazzo floors are known for their ease of maintenance – they’re antimicrobial, easy to clean, and require few steps to maintain their aesthetic value. Though durable in nature, it’s crucial to fully understand your flooring to properly take care of it.

The first step in understanding how to best maintain your terrazzo is to determine which sealants were used on your floors. Depending on the age of your flooring, the answers could vary. However, modern terrazzo floors are typically bound using Epoxy Resin, which is fundamentally non-porous, adding a spill-resistant layer, making it easier to clean and maintain over time.

Though, when it comes to older flooring, sealants often differ, making it difficult to understand best cleaning practices. However, this doesn’t make cleaning impossible. If you’re unsure which sealant was used on your floors, it’s always best to gently wipe up any spills promptly to avoid staining. If stains continue to be an issue or your floors are chipped or losing their shine, it might be time for restoration. 

Choosing the Right Cleaning Products: 

While terrazzo is a relatively low-maintenance and durable flooring option, you do need to be careful about which products and cleaning methods you choose to use on your floors to prevent damage to the surface. 

It is a common misconception to clean terrazzo floors with vinegar, as it is regularly used on other stone flooring. You want to avoid other simple cleaning mistakes as well, such as using acids or all-purpose cleaners, as they can easily damage terrazzo flooring.

So how do you properly clean terrazzo floors? Here are some general, safe practices to keep your floors clean and lasting many lifetimes:

• Sweep or dry mop your floors often and mop them weekly to keep them looking their best.
• Deep clean your floors twice a year using a natural stone cleanser. For best tips and practices, enroll in one of our training courses.
• Avoid wear and tear in heavily-trafficked areas (for example, in front of your refrigerator or stove) by placing mats and rugs on the floor. If in an office setting, you’ll want to pay special attention to doorways, under rolling desk chairs, and the kitchen area. 
• When using cleaners, always thoroughly rinse your floors with water to help prevent residue buildup that could become slippery. Once dry, use a buffer to restore shine.
• Avoid oil-based cleaners and stain removers as they can cause discoloration.

When cleaning your terrazzo, it is essential to always use a cleaner designed for the floor itself. That way, you can ensure that the floor will maintain it’s natural, shiny polish and it will last longer. Looking for the right terrazzo floor cleaning products? Check out our line of floor care products, or contact us to get started.