If You Have Concrete Floors, Avoid This Cleaning Method At All Costs
Concrete floors have made their way out of industrial warehouses and into our homes. With their sleek design and durability, not to mention lower cost than other options, many homeowners have opted for concrete when choosing their floors. If the thought of concrete flooring has you imagining an uber-industrial space without the warmth many of us crave in our homes, think again. Concrete is instead an elegant flooring option that can easily elevate the design of your home, and beyond its pleasing aesthetic, concrete floors are also easy to clean — just make sure to avoid using steam.
Steam cleaning is a great method that uses heat and water to sanitize your space, but it can also be harmful to certain floor types. If you are seriously considering concrete flooring in your home, just know that steam cleaning may not be an option for you since it can cause mold or damage.
Why steam cleaning can be bad for concrete
Concrete on its own is a very versatile material that can be cleaned quite easily — and yes, that can sometimes include steam. For most homeowners, though, your concrete floors are not simply concrete. Most homes have polished concrete floors, which gives them that sleek, finished look. It's actually the polished concrete option that has made concrete flooring more popular, as it creates a material that is durable, long-lasting, and budget-friendly. With this type of flooring, though, steam cleaning can be a big no-no.
Your polished concrete floors are sealed, often with grout, so if you attempt to steam clean them, you're going to take that grout out. This will lead to dirt and mold becoming trapped beneath the flooring rather than mopped up.
Similarly, some homes may have concrete that has been epoxy-coated. While steam mops aren't as dangerous for this type of concrete flooring, you still need to be careful when using them. It is recommended to use your steam mop on the lowest setting possible to prevent the floors from getting damaged.
How to properly clean concrete floors
It's been noted that concrete floors are easy to maintain, but without a steam mop, just how do you properly clean them? The process for cleaning concrete floors, particularly polished or epoxy-coated concrete, is to use a solution mixed with warm water. A wet mop works great here or you can use any type of mop or sponge that has non-abrasive bristles or is made primarily of microfibers. The cleaning agent you choose should be neutral pH safe, like the Zep Neutral Floor Cleaner from Home Depot, which retails for $12.98. You want to avoid any harsh cleaners, like bleach or citrus, as those can potentially damage the concrete as well.
Beyond wet mopping, you also want to make sure to regularly maintain your concrete floors. While you do not need to wash them with a mop every single day, it is important to clean up any spills that occur on your floors as quickly as possible, as concrete can be easily stained. You also want to dust mop as often as you can to avoid dirt and grime build-up, which can cause your polished concrete to start to look dull.