Polished Concrete Floor: How To Maintain

Polished concrete floor is a beautiful addition to any home. But, they require regular maintenance in order to maintain their polished appearance.

If neglected for too long, polished concrete will start to look more like a dull grey instead of the polished white colour it once was. In this article, we’ll discuss some helpful tips and facts about maintaining finished concrete floors so that you can enjoy them for years to come! 

What Are Polished Concrete Floors?

Polished concrete floors are a type of flooring. They are polished to a high lustre and are polished with acrylic polymer.

The polished flooring is designed for use in food service, industrial facilities or commercial spaces requiring heavy foot traffic. They can also be used for residential homes.

They are made by using polished concrete slabs, which are then polished with acrylic polymer.

The floor is polished with a scotch-brite pad and then polished again using an orbital polisher to achieve the desired lustre level. The high gloss finish can be achieved in three ways: sugar sanding, acid etching or chemical buffing.

Polished Concrete Floor Benefits

Polished concrete floors are popular with many homeowners and business owners. That’s because they offer a wide variety of benefits. Here are some of them.

Polished Concrete Floor Is Easy to Clean.

One of the best things about polished concrete is how easy it is to clean. In most cases, you’ll only need a mop or vacuum cleaner – no special cleaners are required!

They Are One of the Most Durable Types of Flooring Design.

Polished concrete floors are one of the most durable types of flooring designs. They can be polished to a high shine without having any colour change in the material, and they come with warranties that can last for decades!

They Fit Any Home Design.

Whether your home is modern or traditional, these floors can create a polished look that fits any design.

Cleaning Tips to Maintain Your Polished Concrete Floor

If you’re curious about how to maintain polished concrete floor, here are some cleaning and maintenance tips you can follow.

Sweep Your Floors

When dirt and debris stay on the floor for a long time, the stain could become permanent. Remember to sweep your floors every day to remove dirt and debris before it can stain the floor.

Clean Up Spills

To clean up spills on the concrete surface, use a vacuum cleaner with a hard surface attachment. Polished concrete floor can get stained with oils and organic matter. For example, there are food, drink containers and animal droppings that can permanently damage them. Hence, it’s important to wipe up any liquid as soon as possible.

Mop Your Floors

Use a damp mop. Mop your floors at least once per week using warm water mixed with soap or an all-purpose cleaner. You can also use a mild detergent and water mixture for cleaning. You can even use microfiber cloths.

Repair Cracks

Repair cracks in the concrete by filling them with epoxy resin sealer or another type of crack filler product. For sealing and maintenance supplies, visit or call concrete floor suppliers.

Add a Protective Coating

Add a protective coating that will help resist stains if you have pets inside or outside your home. That’s because pets can leak urine on the flooring material over time. Their claws can also scratch the surface. Applying sealant or high-quality polish can protect your floors from water damage and wear and tear.

Use Mats

Putting mats at entrances can help prevent dirt, dust and other particles from entering your home.

Protect Your Floors

You can protect your floors by using rugs in areas where people walk often. Examples are the kitchen area and living room. You can invest in area rugs that are made specifically for polished concrete floors.

Keep It Looking New

You can keep it looking new for years to come by sealing it every few months. You can even ask for assistance from polished concrete contractors Sydney.

Using a High-Pressure Washer

When cleaning these floors, a high-pressure washer should be used only as a last resort. High-pressure washers can damage them and cause them to discolour, which makes it difficult for the contractors to fix them properly.

Using Bleach or Ammonia

Bleach or ammonia has chemicals that may be too harsh. They can damage concrete floors with polished finishes. Also, avoid using detergent with chlorine bleach, such as Clorox.

Not Reading Labels

Not all cleaning products are advisable for concrete floors that are polished. It’s important to read labels carefully before purchasing any product for your flooring needs.

Not Consulting with Professionals

If you’re unsure of how to clean your polished concrete floors, do not attempt to experiment with different cleaning methods. Some cleaning methods can be too harsh. They could leave permanent damage that’ll require repair. Hence, if unsure about cleaning methods, consult with professionals.

Using Cleaning Materials That Can Leave Scratches

To remove stains or any marks from the floor, do not use steel wool, wire brushes or abrasive pads. They can leave visible scratches. Instead, use sponges, microfiber cloths and detergents.

Not Cleaning Off Spills Quickly

Residues can dry up and stain your floor. It’s important to be attentive to them and clean them quickly. And it’s important to have a regular cleaning schedule for your polished concrete floor.

People may not enjoy this type of flooring because they have to clean them regularly. However, it’s worth noting that polished concrete is durable and easy to maintain. People who do their research into the best methods of cleaning polished concrete will find it a rewarding experience.

So, what’s the difference between polished concrete floor vs honed concrete?

Concrete floors are a popular choice for many homes and businesses. When choosing polished concrete floor or honed concrete, there are some important factors to consider before making a decision. This article will discuss the differences between polished and honed concrete as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each type of flooring so you can make an informed decision about which is best for you! 

Honed Concrete

Honed concrete history dates back to the Roman Empire. They are polished with a diamond-tipped grinder. This process creates an even and polished surface that is beautiful from any angle.

flooring for busy areas such as office spaces, cafes, shopping malls and fast-food establishments.  They also require minimal maintenance.

Advantages of Honed Concrete

Honed concrete offers many advantages that make it a lovely option for homeowners and business owners. Here are some of them:

A Great Flooring Solution for Pathways, Porches and Driveways

Because of its hard-wearing characteristics, honed concrete is proven great for areas with heavy foot traffic. Honed concrete uses a topical sealant. Once it’s dried, you get to enjoy an impenetrable flooring that keeps dust, dirt, stains and microorganisms from penetrating your honed concrete. 

More Cost-Effective Upfront

Honed concrete can help you save costs because it doesn’t require additional materials.  Polished concrete requires a polished sealer that can be expensive.

Honed concrete doesn’t need to be polished. They are naturally smooth and have a finer texture than other types of floors such as granite or marble, which also require polishing treatments on top of the installation process.

Disadvantages of Honed Concrete

Here are some of the disadvantages of honed concrete. Review them well before getting a honed concrete finish.

A More Costly Maintenance

As mentioned, honed concrete only uses a topical sealer. That means you need to sand and reseal them every 3-7 years if you want to maintain their appearance.

More Slip-Resistant Compared to Polished Concrete Floors

Polished concrete floor can be slippery when wet. Meanwhile, honed concrete can have an anti-slip additive mixed with its sealant. This additive helped improve foot traction in wet conditions. That makes them a safer flooring option for pool areas and verandas.

Polished Concrete Floor

Polished concrete floor can be seen as early as the 1900s. They were polished in order to make them more durable and easy to clean. They are achieved by using a special polished concrete sealant. This type of flooring is made by pouring cement and other materials onto the ground in order to create an even surface. This even surface is polished with a rotating machine that has metal or rubber pads attached to its bottom side. The machine runs over the top layer continuously until the desired level of smoothness is achieved.

Polished concrete floors are usually cheaper than honed surfaces because they require less work. And you get to enjoy a mirror-like finish that reflects light all around.

Advantages of Polished Concrete Floor

Here are some of the advantages of polished concrete floor. Review them and see if it’s a great fit for your needs.

More Cost-Effective Long Term

The polished concrete is less expensive to install than other types of flooring. The polished look will stand the test of time and maintain its appearance for many years, whereas with honed finishes, some surfaces may show signs of wear more quickly than others.

Easier to Clean

With polished concrete floor, you can enjoy a dust-free environment. That’s because, unlike honed concrete, polished concrete doesn’t experience surface dust.

Polish can be more porous than honed floors and therefore traps small particles of dirt and dust within it, making polished surfaces easier to clean.

Also, you don’t need aggressive scrubbing to keep your polished flooring clean. Polished concrete floors are resistant to stains, spills and dust debris.

Disadvantages of Polished Concrete Floor

While polished concrete floor seems promising, it offers some disadvantages like most types of flooring options. Go over them below before getting them. 

Slippery When Wet

A polished concrete floor is a polished surface that has been polished or troweled to give it the appearance of high-gloss varnish. The polishing process can last for days depending on how smooth and shiny you want your floors, but they do eventually get slippery when wet. Hence, they’re not a great flooring option around pool areas. You can also remedy this by adding safety mats around the house.

Penetration by Moisture

Make sure that your polished concrete floor is installed by a professional. If it’s not installed
properly, it can become susceptible to penetration by moisture. This moisture can encourage the growth of mould or mildew within the pores of the concrete floor.

To know which flooring option is best for you, it’s important to have clarity on what you need as a homeowner or a business owner. For example, if you want something that’s more slip-resistant, then honed concrete might be the perfect fit. If you’re saving on long-term costs, polished concrete floor might be a better option because it requires minimal maintenance. If you’re still unsure, get the advice of a professional to know which is best suited for you.

Send a message to the best polished concrete contractors Sydney. Whether you’re looking for polished concrete floor suppliers or want a polished overlay or a polished concrete finish, we can help.