If you look at the materials and how to clean terrazzo floor surfaces closely, one will see that they are made of chips or glass making them very durable. For the most part, this floor is very shiny because it is sealed with a commercial sealer.
The next thing one has to know is how to clean and shine Terrazzo floors and make them look new.
The question now is how does one go about doing this? We have compiled a list of actionable tips you can do below. Read on.
How to clean terrazzo floor step-by-step
1. Find empty bottle
You need to rinse out, purchase or empty a spritzer or spray bottle if you have one at home. If you opt to use a bottle that already had liquid in it, make sure that the content inside was not acidic. If the bottle happened to have some harsh chemical in it, there is a chance that the combination you come up with might damage your Terrazzo tiles.
2. Make your solution with water, dish soap, and rubbing alcohol
When you’ve found yourself a spray bottle, it is time to come up with the cleaning solution. You start by placing a funnel on the bottle to ensure everything pours inside evenly. You will need ¼ teaspoon of dish soap, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, and 2 ½ cups of warm water, mix everything in the bottle and you are ready to swirl.
3. Mix everything by swirling
In a circular motion, swirl your mixture gently so that all the ingredients can combine to give the floor shine you are looking for. This should take around half a minute and even if the dish soap does form a sud, don’t be alarmed.
4. Use the mixture on your terrazzo floor
Check your terrazzo floor for areas that are dirty and use the mixture while being careful not to spray too much. You will see very good results when you use this to clean up countertops and other small areas of your terrazzo floor. If the whole floor does need cleaning then you will have to use a steam cleaner instead of this solution.
5. Wait
After spraying the solution on the floor, you have to wait for 30 seconds to 3 minutes depending on how dirty a particular floor is so that it does its magic. If you have somewhere to go, you can wipe the surface down quickly, however, it is not necessary to let the solution sit for longer than 3 minutes.
6. Use a damp towel
Grab a clean towel, dip it in hot water and then wipe or polish the surface where the solution is in a circular motion. If there are areas that are still dirty, you can use the solution again, let it sit again before wiping it for a classic finish. This will make the once stained floor look new and shine as if it were done by a professional cleaning company.
Best terrazzo floor cleaner
Below are two amazing cleaners you can buy for your terrazzo floor online or your local supermarket.
This product is safe and will free your floor of oils, dust, and dirt.
- FORMULATED FOR YOUR MOST CHERISHED STONE & TILE SURFACES: Weiman Stone & Tile Cleaner is specifically formulated to clean stone and tile floors with out streaking or dulling. Our pH neutral formula wont harm your surfaces.
- STREAK-FREE, BEAUTIFUL RESULTS: Safely shines & beautifies natural stone surfaces without leaving behind streaks. Free your stone surfaces of dust, dirt and oils while creating sparkling clean results.
- EPA SAFER CHOICE CERTIFIED: Our floor cleaner is EPA Safer Choice Certified, using 99% Natural ingredients. It is safer for use around children and pets. Weiman Stone & Tile cleaner has a light and fresh citrus scent that will leave your home smelling amazing!
- READY TO USE FORMULA: Our ready to use formula does not require any mixing or diluting. You can squirt it directly onto your floor and use with a clean, damp mop – or you can pour it into a refillable spray mop.
- RECOMMENDED FOR: Sealed stone including marble and granite, ceramic and porcelain tile, grout, vinyl and any other non-porous hard surface flooring. This also includes limestone, slate, terra cotta & terrazzo.
Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
An amazing formula that removes as well as dissolves tough stains and dirt on your floor without leaving any mess.
- Removes up to 59% more particulate soils vs. the leading competitor
- Mr. Clean Finished Floor Cleaner dissolves and removes tough ground-in dirt from finished floors without leaving a dulling residue
- This multi purpose cleaner delivers shine to floors and extends time between strips by effectively removing grimy soils
- Contains ingredients that cause the rapid collapse of its suds, making it an excellent choice for use in automatic floor-scrubbing machines
- Can be used as an all purpose cleaner for a variety of surfaces, including walls, tables, countertops and restrooms
Last update on 2023-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Can you use vinegar on terrazzo floors?
Even though vinegar is a wonderful cleaner for other types of floors, you should not use it on Terrazzo floors. This is because vinegar has acidic components in it that can damage this type of flooring instead of cleaning it. Overall, anything with acid should never be used on terrazzo floors if you want to keep them in good condition for a very long time.
Steam clean terrazzo floor
Why steam clean terrazzo floor?
When done correctly, steam cleaning is a powerful and natural way to remove any stubborn stains and dirt off your terrazzo floor. Using the power of steam allows you to remove 99.9% of harmful germs that are known to cause illness. These germs include Staphylococcus, E. Coli, and Salmonella as well as surface molds and dust mites.
How to steam clean terrazzo floor
1. Clear area
You start by moving any furniture around or getting any obstacles out of the way before you begin like toys, containers, papers, and more. If your floor appears too rough, hire a professional to clean your surface floor for you otherwise you might cause further damage.
2. Dust mop your terrazzo floor
Before bringing in a steam cleaner, you need to dust mop the floor removing any dirt, dust, or hair. If there is debris in the way, you will not get good results or a shiny finish.
3. Put water in the steamer
Always read the instructions first before using such a product on your floor so that you know how much water is needed to effectively clean any dirt or dust. You need to add a detergent to your steamer before you start using it otherwise it might malfunction.
4. Begin cleaning
Turn on the steam and move it back and forth in a straight line hitting the corners. You can go over the same spot over and over again until you see that it is clean or you haven’t missed a spot.
5. Place a wet floor sign
When you are done cleaning, you need to place a wet floor sign letting people know that you have cleaned the floor to prevent any slips and falls. With your wet floor sign nicely placed, it is time to air dry the floor with a fan or overhead fans to speed up the process.
How to maintain terrazzo floor
- Use floor mats on doorsteps of custom Terrazzo floors. You can also have mats in high-traffic areas in your home
- Dust mop the floor regularly to keep it in good condition because the cost of Terrazzo floor repairs is very high
- Any spills or tough stains need to be wiped immediately with a commercial cleaning product if you have any.
FAQ
1. How do you deep clean a terrazzo floor?
In a bucket, mix hot water and a cleaner, and should be good enough to clean your terrazzo floor with ease
2. Can bleach be used on terrazzo floors?
Things like all-purpose cleaners, bleach, or vinegar should not be used on terrazzo floors because they can damage the surface.
3. Can a Terrazzo floor be waxed?
Yes, you can use wax on this type of floor because it helps it remain in good condition however, you will need to make sure you buy the right wax.
4. How long can I have my Terrazzo floor for?
One of the major advantages of Terrazzo in many homes is, this floor lasts anywhere between 8 – 10 years.
5. What is the major drawback of having Terrazzo flooring?
The one drawback many people talk about is it doesn’t retain heat when the weather is cold outside especially during the winter months.
Wrap Up on Cleaning Terrazzo Floor
The origins of Terrazzo floors and how to clean terrazzo floor surfaces can be traced back to Italy. Most of the time to clean it, all you need is just some water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap. You are more than welcome to use a steamer during the cleaning process as long as you make sure it is a top-quality one like the ones pointed out above in this article.
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