Stains are one of the most common forms of damage on Restore Terrazzo Flooring and tend to be much more common on older floors. Instead of hiding these damages by installing carpet or tile over it, the Terrazzo can be cleaned and restored to look like you just had it installed. Professional help may be needed for extreme cases, but there are things you can do to remove Terrazzo stains on your own. The first thing you want to do is remove the wax or coating with a stripper solution. If the Terrazzo has a polished finish and does not have a wax or coating then no stripping is needed. Always read the instructions carefully and use all the safety equipment required such as a mask and gloves to protect yourself against the corrosive sealer. Add your water base as directed by the product you are using and apply it to the area where the stains are located. After letting it sit for around ten minutes, scrub the solution with a scrubbing pad, wipe the solution with an absorbent cloth and a pH-neutral Terrazzo floor cleaner and repeat all the previous steps.
If it was a topical stain and was not on the Terrazzo itself, then the stain may have been removed when you stripped the coating. If the stain is still visible, it is on the Terrazzo Flooring Restoration itself and needs a poultice to be removed. A poultice is a chemical solution that is a mixture of absorbing and cleaning agents to essentially “pull” the stain out of the Terrazzo. You can make the poultice yourself or buy poultice kits that are already made which makes the processes much easier and much safer. One thing to keep in mind is knowing exactly what type of stain affects your Terrazzo. Knowing what caused the stain on your Terrazzo dictates the best solution to remove them. Oil stains caused by butter or vegetable oil are treated effectively with acetone for example while hydrogen peroxide works well against organic stains like coffee or tea.
This may also determine what type of poultice to get if you choose to buy one that is pre-made. If the stain is tile removed after applying the poultice, then the area you worked on will look different and dulled with the coating of the surrounding area. Again, if your Terrazzo has a polished finish with no coatings, then there is no need for a stripping process. For those who removed the coating to apply the stain, use a water-based coating and apply as many coats as required for the area to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. Deep cleaning is a much simpler process that only requires a dust sweeper or a damp mop, a brush, and a pH-neutral Terrazzo floor cleaner. To start, remove as many particles as you can such as dirt, sand, or hair of the Terrazzo with the damp mop or dust sweeper. From there, mix the Terrazzo pH-neutral cleaner with water as instructed, and with the brush scrub the Terrazzo thoroughly.
Make sure to scrub the corners and any other areas where grime may accumulate. Scrubbing really hard is not necessary and can even damage the floor, so use light but consistent strokes. After this is done, dry the Terrazzo with a towel and let the rest air dry. It is worth noting that professionals are much better equipped and have the experience to deliver better results. Professionals will know exactly how to remove stains and use the best method and equipment to remove them such as grinding like a thin layer where the stain is situated to remove it. Keep in mind that whether you’re trying to remove the stain yourself or by a professional, every stain is different and are not guaranteed to come out. Lastly, professionals have the equipment to really deep clean your Terrazzo with high-speed floor scrubbers and buffers to make your Terrazzo sparkly clean.