Flooring Tile - Cleaning Terazzo
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DVina
03-12-03, 09:30 PM
I have 30-year-old Terazzo tiles on two bathroom floors. The ground in dirt is just awful. Does anyone know a formula that will help get that gunk out? I have tried many thing, but you have to be careful because it etches, like marble, so no lime removers.
twelvepole
03-13-03, 07:36 AM
Terrazzo is made of marble chips embedded in mortar.
Use a good wax-stripping product to clean off any old wax (terrazzo doesn't need waxing) and dirt. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the stripper.
Then apply a thin coat of penetrating terrazzo sealer. You can rent a scrubbing and buffing machine from a rental-service store listed in the Yellow Pages.
All you have to do then is wet-mop it as often as necessary to remove sand and grime.
Water will do the trick. So will commercial liquid cleaners made especially for terrazzo. These are neutral liquid cleaners that contain neither acid nor alkaline. Avoid oil-based cleaners.
Wipe up spills quickly to avoid stains.
My favorite site for natural stone products is www.stonecare.com
Use a good wax-stripping product to clean off any old wax (terrazzo doesn't need waxing) and dirt. Rinse thoroughly to remove all the stripper.
Then apply a thin coat of penetrating terrazzo sealer. You can rent a scrubbing and buffing machine from a rental-service store listed in the Yellow Pages.
All you have to do then is wet-mop it as often as necessary to remove sand and grime.
Water will do the trick. So will commercial liquid cleaners made especially for terrazzo. These are neutral liquid cleaners that contain neither acid nor alkaline. Avoid oil-based cleaners.
Wipe up spills quickly to avoid stains.
My favorite site for natural stone products is www.stonecare.com
ee3
03-13-03, 07:52 AM
TERRAZZO CAN BE EITHER EPOXY OR CEMENT, WITH CHIPS.
twelvepole
03-13-03, 09:12 AM
Traditional terrazzo is made of cement and marble with
extra marble chips on the surface. With modern technology, we have terrazzo made with synthetic resins such as urethane or epoxy as the "binder", in place of cement. These synthetic resins do not stain as readily as concrete. Yet, staining can occur.
It is important that a penetrating sealer be applied to new terrazzo floors to seal and retard staining. Resealing occasionally will maintain stain resistance. As with real marble, the floor should be maintained using neutral products recommended for natural stone. If the terrazzo is set with a resin product, grout sealer should be compatible with the resin, as some sealants can have a detrimental effect on resins.
extra marble chips on the surface. With modern technology, we have terrazzo made with synthetic resins such as urethane or epoxy as the "binder", in place of cement. These synthetic resins do not stain as readily as concrete. Yet, staining can occur.
It is important that a penetrating sealer be applied to new terrazzo floors to seal and retard staining. Resealing occasionally will maintain stain resistance. As with real marble, the floor should be maintained using neutral products recommended for natural stone. If the terrazzo is set with a resin product, grout sealer should be compatible with the resin, as some sealants can have a detrimental effect on resins.