Polished Concrete Maintenance Guide
How to Maintain Polished Concrete Floors
Polished concrete is one of the lowest-maintenance flooring options available, but like any premium floor, it requires regular cleaning and care to keep it looking its best.
Whether you have diamond polished concrete or a topically sealed polished concrete floor, following the correct maintenance routine will help preserve the appearance, extend the life of the floor and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Polished Concrete Maintenance
Diamond polished concrete is mechanically polished using industrial diamond abrasives and protected with penetrating densifiers and impregnating sealers rather than a surface coating. Because there is no film sitting on top of the concrete, the floor is highly durable and does not peel or flake like traditional coatings.
Daily Maintenance
- Sweep or dust mop regularly to remove dirt, grit and sand.
- Clean up spills as soon as possible to reduce the risk of staining.
- Place quality entrance mats at external doors to minimise abrasive dirt entering the building.
Weekly Cleaning
Clean the floor with a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for polished concrete. Avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic cleaners, bleach or strong alkaline products, as these can reduce the performance of the impregnating sealer and damage the concrete over time.
For commercial buildings, an auto scrubber fitted with the appropriate pads provides the best cleaning results. Residential floors can simply be cleaned using a microfibre mop.
Restoring the Shine
Unlike coated floors, diamond polished concrete can be refreshed without stripping or recoating.
A high-speed burnisher fitted with the correct polishing pad can restore gloss that has dulled through everyday traffic. Depending on foot traffic, this may be required every few months or only once or twice each year.
Long-Term Revitalising
As part of a preventative maintenance program, an impregnating stain guard can be reapplied periodically and burnished into the surface. This helps maintain stain resistance and keeps the floor performing at its best for many years.
Topically Sealed Polished Concrete Maintenance
Grind and seal floors, as well as polished concrete finished with polyurethane or other topical coatings, require slightly different care because the protective layer sits on top of the concrete.
Protect the Surface
- Install floor mats inside and outside entrances.
- Use felt pads under furniture.
- Avoid dragging heavy furniture or equipment across the floor.
- Regularly remove dirt and grit that can scratch the coating.
Routine Cleaning
Sweep or vacuum regularly before mopping.
Clean using warm water and a pH-neutral floor cleaner. For stubborn dirt, use a non-abrasive detergent before rinsing with clean water.
Avoid abrasive pads, steel wool, strong solvents or highly acidic and alkaline cleaners, as these can damage the protective coating.
General Polished Concrete Care Tips
Regardless of the type of polished concrete floor, following these simple practices will maximise its lifespan:
- Sweep or vacuum regularly.
- Clean spills immediately.
- Use pH-neutral cleaning products.
- Protect furniture with felt pads.
- Use quality entrance mats.
- Avoid dragging heavy objects across the floor.
- Never use acidic or highly alkaline cleaning products.
- Avoid waxes unless specifically recommended for your floor system.
Commercial Polished Concrete Maintenance
High-traffic commercial floors may require a scheduled maintenance program to maintain their appearance. This can include:
- Regular machine scrubbing
- High-speed burnishing
- Periodic reapplication of impregnating stain guards
- Professional maintenance inspections
A preventative maintenance program is significantly more cost-effective than waiting until a floor requires major restoration.
Need Help Maintaining Your Polished Concrete?
Diagrind provides professional polished concrete maintenance throughout Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast. Whether your floor needs routine maintenance, burnishing, stain removal or a complete restoration, our team can recommend the most suitable maintenance program for your home or commercial property.