Dust mop or vacuum terrazzo often to remove grit, then wet mop it with clean water and a neutral cleaner made for terrazzo or stone, diluted as the label says. Avoid acids such as vinegar, strong alkaline cleaners, scouring powders and oily sweeping compounds, and wipe up spills quickly.
What terrazzo is
Traditional terrazzo is chips of marble or other stone set in cement and ground smooth. The US General Services Administration describes good terrazzo as 70% or more marble chips and 30% or less Portland cement, and says it is sensitive to harsh cleaners. The cement is porous, which is why sealing matters. You find terrazzo in many older homes in Palm Springs and Lake Worth Beach, sometimes under carpet or tile laid later.
Everyday care
- Dust mop or vacuum regularly. The National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association says grit scratches the finish, which reduces its gloss
- Wet mop with clean water and a neutral cleaner, and change the water when it turns cloudy
- Pick up all the cleaning solution and rinse water with the mop or a wet vacuum, so the floor is not left slippery
- Wipe spills straight away, especially anything acidic
- Put mats at outside doors to catch sand. See keeping sand out of your house
What damages terrazzo
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| Vinegar, lemon juice and acidic cleaners | Acids dissolve parts of marble and other calcareous stone and leave dull etch marks. Spilled wine, juice and soft drinks do the same |
| Alkaline cleaners, carbonates and trisodium phosphate | GSA guidance says to avoid them, as strong ingredients can permanently damage the floor |
| Soaps and scouring powders | GSA guidance warns against products containing water soluble salts, which can be left in the porous cement |
| Oily sweeping compounds | Oil soaks in and can permanently discolor terrazzo |
| Abrasive pads and wire brushes | They scratch the finish and dull the shine |
Sealing
- Cement terrazzo should be sealed with a penetrating sealer, according to GSA guidance
- Use only a sealer recommended for terrazzo, and follow its instructions exactly
- Clean the floor first. Thin coats work better than one heavy coat, and each coat should dry before the next
- Shine comes from polishing as well as the sealer, so sealer alone will not bring back a dull floor
- If you rent, ask your landlord before sealing or using any new product on the floor
When to call a restoration specialist
- Etch marks, deep scratches or stains that cleaning does not lift. The NTMA advises calling a terrazzo contractor when fine diamond pads do not remove them
- Cracks, chips or joints that need grouting
- Old sealer or wax that has built up, yellowed or worn patchy and needs stripping
- A floor uncovered from under carpet or tile, with glue or tack strip marks
Grinding, honing, polishing and stripping are specialist work, quoted separately from house cleaning. A house cleaner can dust mop and damp mop terrazzo with a neutral cleaner as part of a regular or deep clean. Tell them about the floor before they arrive so they bring the right products. For hard water marks on stone and tile, see hard water marks in Palm Beach County.
Send a request for a deep clean and a local cleaner will call you to quote.
Sources
- US General Services Administration: Terrazzo characteristics, uses and problems
- US General Services Administration: Routine preventive maintenance guidelines for terrazzo
- National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association: Terrazzo maintenance guide
- US General Services Administration: Removing etch marks in marble