Concrete is one of the common types of flooring used in offices due to its durability and low maintenance requirements. It is often placed in areas with heavy foot traffic since it can withstand it and resists any wear and tear (unlike other flooring types). Its sturdy material makes it possible for indoor and outdoor use. However, no matter how durable this flooring type is it still needs some occasional scrubbing or depending on your office’s nature of business.

Are Concrete Floors Difficult to Clean?

This flooring type can be hard and easy to clean depending on the surface preparation and maintenance. There are two types of concrete flooring — sealed and unsealed. Sealed concrete allows for much easier cleaning because the protective coat on top makes the surface smooth. Things such as dirt, dust, and even spills can be easily removed by sweeping the floor or wiping it with a damp mop or towel. 

Unsealed concrete, on the other hand, is difficult to clean. This is because unsealed concrete is porous which allows dirt and spills to soak into the floor. It also allows mildew to form. With all these combined, having damaged concrete would be no surprise. Cracks and crevices would most likely appear on your concrete floor. These small damages would accumulate dirt and debris and in the long run, might get bigger if not taken care of immediately. 

Another characteristic that might make your cleaning more difficult would be rough or textured surfaces. The grooves and bumps often trap dirt and debris which requires a lot more effort and time to properly clean. Both unsealed and rough or textured concrete need the help of specialized cleaning tools and techniques.

To make cleaning concrete floors much easier and more efficient, all you have to do is be diligent in sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping the floor every day. This way any build-up can be prevented instead of spending hours trying to clean a hard-to-remove stain. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Flooring

Advantages

• Durable: Its stone-like composition is due to long-lasting materials that are mixed together using a perfect ratio that determines the concrete’s durability and strength. That’s why it’s a great choice for heavy foot traffic areas.
• Low Maintenance: As mentioned earlier, cleaning concrete floors can be much easier and more efficient if you perform regular cleaning daily such as sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping.
• Versatile: Not only does it require low maintenance, but it can also be modified based on your desired design from stains, stamps, or polishes.
• Cost-effective: If you compare it to other flooring types like hardwood, vinyl, or tile, concrete has the lowest installation cost.

Disadvantages

• Hardness: If your nature of business requires a lot of walking or standing, then concrete floors are not for you. The hardness makes people’s underfoot uncomfortable after some time.
• Coldness: Similar to tiles, concrete becomes cold, especially in places with cooler environments. Standing on a cold floor for a long period is not really comfortable for most people.
• Susceptibility to Cracking: Unsealed or sealed concrete cracks over time if not properly maintained or installed. Factors like changes in temperature and encountering heavy loads often may also result in cracks or crevices on your floor.
• Susceptibility to Staining: As mentioned earlier, unsealed concrete is porous allowing spills and stains to soak onto your floor making it difficult to clean and maintain.

How to Clean Your Concrete Floors

Empty the area

Before any floor cleaning can be done, you have to empty the area first. This makes it easier to clean the floor since you don’t have things on the way such as file cabinets, office desks, plants, and more. This way you can focus more on cleaning. Just make sure to temporarily store those things in a safe space that won’t distract other workers from doing their job. 

Sweep and Scrub the concrete

Now this is where the cleaning starts. You first have to sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any dust before you start scrubbing. Next would be to grab dish soap or any type of degreaser, a handheld or long brush, and a bucket of clean water to help you in scrubbing your floors clean. Simply mix dish soap or degreaser with the bucket of water. Apply this mixture on the floor and leave it for a few minutes then start scrubbing. If you feel satisfied after the scrubbing, then fetch a clean mop to remove the suds and air dry after.

Seal concrete

If your concrete needs some sealing or you want to apply a new seal, you may do so after the newly cleaned floor is dry (air dry or blow dry). There are various sorts of sealers for concrete floors, but one option is an acrylic sealer, which is cost-effective and advantageous for flooring types that are more exposed to the outside. Additionally, it resists UV rays, doesn’t yellow, and repels water, preventing the concrete floors from readily absorbing moisture. Knowing which products are best for your flooring demands is a crucial part of floor upkeep.

cleaning building walls

Pressure Washing

Pressure washing has been popular recently and it is justified. It is a powerful cleaning method that uses a high-pressure water spray to get rid of accumulated grime, dust, and dirt on any surface. This makes it effective and efficient in cleaning large areas such as flooring. This cleaning method is useful in cleaning concrete floors for commercial or industrial areas. It can easily clean unsealed concrete with stains or hard-to-remove dirt. Just make sure you know how to properly use it and have the proper tools if you don’t want damage on your flooring’s surface. 

In certain situations such as heavy foot traffic areas and areas that prioritize durability and low maintenance, concrete can be a good flooring type. However, it depends on the area’s needs and preference since concrete is not suitable flooring for all spaces. You also need to consider some factors before choosing this type from comfort to temperature to maintenance requirements.

If this is the flooring type you chose for your office or business, and still have some questions regarding how to properly clean your concrete floors, you might want to call commercial cleaning experts for more advice.

Is your office around Middlesex County or New Haven County, Connecticut? Then you’re in luck! Burgos Cleaning is only one call away if you need some consultation regarding cleaning concrete floors and more.