Floorcare guides

How to clean a Concrete floor

The ultimate guide to Cleaning and Polishing a Concrete Floor

Keeping concrete floors looking pristine is easier said than done. As a porous material prone to staining, concrete requires regular care and cleaning to maintain its appearance over time.

Hard surfaces like concrete may seem robust, but they still require routine maintenance. Our guide teaches best practices for regular care and periodic deep cleaning techniques.

Periodic Deep Cleaning Concrete floors

Equipment Needed

• Rotary Machine

  Choose a machine suitable for your floor size.We recommend a slower RPM (180 – 240rpm) for scrubbing tasks. If you wish to buff the floor afterwards using a higher RPM (300RPM+), you may want to consider a Victor Multispeed which can operate at both 200RM and 400RPM, making it ideal for deep cleaning and polishing concrete floors.

• Wet Vacuum Cleaner

  We recommend a Victor WD60 for larger areas due to the added capacity and dual motor for extra suction power or a WD 30 for small – medium areas.

• Scrubbing Pads

  Use abrasive pads for deep cleaning.

• What Pad should I use for deep cleaning polished concrete?

  We’d recommend cleaning with a Blue cleaning pad, anything more abrasive could start to take the concrete polish away. (N.B the floor may look dull after cleaning with a blue pad, so we recommend polishing the floor with a high speed burnisher, such as Victor Lynx with a White Pad)

• What Pad should I use for deep cleaning untreated concrete?

  Generally speaking, the darker the floor pad, the more abrasive it will be. If you are looking to scrub a concrete floor in either an industrial arear or prior to polishing, we’d recommend a black floor pad which is the most abrasive pad. Refrain from using a black floor pad on a polished concrete floor, unless the goal is to remove the polish.

• Neutral Floor Cleaner

  We Recommend using 003 Hard Floor Cleaner by Victor

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

  Gloves and safety goggles.

Method

• Clear the Area

  Remove any furniture or obstacles to provide clear access to the entire floor.

• Dry Sweeping

  Use a dust mop or vacuum to remove loose dirt and debris.

• Pre-treat Stains

  Apply a suitable stain remover to targeted areas and let it sit according to the product instructions. - 003 Hard Floor Cleaner by Victor can be used neat to pretreat stains

• Dilute Neutral Floor Cleaner

  Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the correct dilution ratio.

• Scrubbing

  Attach the chosen colour floor pad to the rotary machine and scrub the floor thoroughly. Pay extra attention to high-traffic areas. – remember RPMs below 240

• Vacuuming

  Use the wet vacuum cleaner to remove the cleaning solution and suspended dirt.

• Rinse

  Mop the floor with clean water to remove any remaining residue.

• Drying

  Allow the floor to air dry or use fans for quicker drying.

Regular Maintenance

Equipment Needed

• Victor Floorcare Rotary Machine or Walk-Behind Scrubber

  A Scrubber dryer may be more suitable for concrete floors which may need cleaning more regularly such as in restaurants. Whereas in some settings, Concrete floors may need just vacuuming and a light polish or spray clean with a Rotary Machine.

• Dry Vacuum Cleaner

  For daily dirt and debris removal.

• Neutral Floor Cleaner

  We Recommend using 003 Hard Floor Cleaner by Victor

• Microfibre Mop

  For damp mopping.

Procedure

• Daily Dry Vacuuming

  Remove loose dirt and debris using a dry vacuum cleaner.

• Spot Cleaning

  Address spills and stains promptly to prevent permanent damage.

• Damp Mopping

  Use a microfibre mop with a diluted neutral floor cleaner for regular maintenance.

• Regular Inspections

  Periodically inspect the floor for any signs of damage or wear.

Dos & Don'ts of Cleaning Concrete floors

Cautions

• Always follow safety guidelines and use appropriate PPE when handling cleaning chemicals and machinery.
• Test cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous area to ensure compatibility.
• Avoid using abrasive pads on polished concrete surfaces.

Dos

• Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for the maintenance of Victor Floorcare machines.
• Clean up spills promptly to prevent staining and slipping hazards.
• Use neutral floor cleaners for routine cleaning to preserve the integrity of the concrete.

Don'ts

• Avoid using acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage the concrete surface.
• Do not let cleaning solutions sit on the floor for extended periods.