10/06/2015
What are the DO's and DON'Ts of Terrazzo?
DO clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to your stone.
DO clean surfaces regularly with StoneTech™ Professional Revitalizer™ Cleaner & Protector or Stone & Tile Cleaner. Always rinse your floors well to prevent a build-up of cleaner residue that could become slippery.
DO allow your neutral cleaner, once applied to the Terrazzo surface, time to react as designed to loosen foreign matter. Several minutes should be adequate, but DO NOT allow solution to dry on surface.
DO use StoneTech™ Professional BulletProof™ Sealer or Impregnator Pro™ to protect the stone.
DO use door mats inside and out along with runners and area rugs on terrazzo floors.
DO dust mop the floor daily to only pick up the dust, but also the grit tracked into the building. The grit acts as an abrasive on a hard surface floor.
DO seal your floors with a water-based acrylic sealer or finish such as Hi-Shine 25. Normally, a new floor requires two or more coats, which provide a good sheen for a period of 45 to 60 days, before needing additional coats. Sealer should be classified by Underwriters Laboratories, as slip resistant with a rating of minimum 0.5.
DO use maintenance products designed for terrazzo.
DON'T wait to clean up spills on stone.
DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub cleaners.
DON'T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general-purpose cleaners.
DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
DON'T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
DON'T use scouring powders and abrasives because they will scratch the surface.
DON’T use purely surface waxes, or all purpose sealers. Employment of such can result in slippery surfaces.
DON’T use all purpose cleaners containing water soluble inorganic or crystallizing salts, harmful alkali or acids. Use of such products could prove harmful to the terrazzo floor.
DON’T use cheap cleaners or sealers since the majority of maintenance costs is labor.
DON’T try miracle cleaners or sealers on the floor without getting an opinion on such products from your Terrazzo Contractor or this Association.
DON’T use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.
More detailed information on terrazzo flooring is available at the NTMA (National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association) site.