The steam mop is one of the best tools for cleaning and sanitizing floors. The steam mop doesn’t require expensive chemicals and cleaning solutions. It is very easy to use and you don’t have to apply much force to cleaning as well. You won’t even break a sweat cleaning the floor by using the steam mop and you can save a lot of your valuable time as well. It requires only a few seconds for the equipment to get ready so you won’t have to waste your time waiting.
You can use a steam mop on various surfaces. But can you steam-mop concrete floors? You must have got a concrete floor in your house or office. Surely, you must take care of your concrete floor so that it will last long. Using a steam mop might be tempting as it as you will be able to save a lot of time and effort. Before using a steam mop in your concrete make sure to read this article until the end to find out whether you can use a steam mop on your concrete floor or not. But first, let’s get to know more about concrete floors and their types.
What are concrete floors? How many types of concrete floor coatings are there?
Concrete is one of the most used substances besides water and it is used to build homes, commercial buildings, and various structures. It is formed by a mixture of cementing material, mineral aggregate, and water which is left to dry. The mixture hardens after drying and becomes durable like a stone. Similarly, a concrete floor is made out of a concrete flat slab.
There are various types of concrete floors which are listed below.
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Epoxy Coated Concrete Floor
Epoxy-coated concrete floor is a type of concrete floor where the surface is coated with epoxy resin and a polyamine hardener. The two mixtures react to one another and create a cross-linking of the elements forming a hardened, rigid plastic coating. This type of floor is very durable and can withstand high heat and moisture.
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Polished Concrete Floor
The polished concrete floor is a type of concrete floor where chemical densifiers are added to fill the pores. The surface of the polished concrete floor is polished with diamond polishing tools so the surface is very smooth and shiny. It is extremely durable and doesn’t require much maintenance. The polished concrete floor is not affected by dust, mold, mildew, or pollen, and it is very easy to clean.
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Stained Concrete Floor
A stained concrete floor is a type of concrete floor that is stained with mostly two types of stains called water-based acrylic stains and acid-based chemical stains. It is eco-friendly and you can apply any color of stains on the concrete. As the stains deeply penetrate the concrete surface, it can slightly resist water and the colors won’t come off easily.
The acid-based stains are able to create natural color variations such as terracotta, tans, browns, etc. It is considered good for your floors designed to resemble wood. The water-based stain can broaden your options as different colors can be mixed. The mixture of pigments and acrylic polymers forms a semi-translucent surface on the concrete floor.
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Stamped Concrete Floor
The stamped concrete floor is a type of concrete that is just normal concrete with some patterns, textures, or colors added to it to resemble other objects like tiles, bricks, etc. People use stamped concrete as it is quite cheap compared to real objects. It is very durable and can be shaped and designed into various types of objects. While it may be cheap it is not necessarily better than the objects it is designed to mimic. Furthermore, it is very difficult to repair once it gets damaged.
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Unsealed Concrete Floor
Unsealed concrete floors are one of the most common types of concrete floors that are used in your basements, garages, and work rooms. It is quite durable as it can resist physical damage. However, the unsealed concrete floor is naturally porous and can easily absorb moisture.
Can you Put Vinegar in a Steam Mop?
Can you steam-mop concrete floors?
As mentioned above, there are various types of concrete floors with different properties and usages. Steam mop produces high amounts of heat and moisture in order to sanitize and clean the floor and it might damage some kind of concrete floors. So, let’s discuss whether you can steam-mop each kind of concrete floor one by one.
The epoxy-coated concrete floors are quite resistant to heat and moisture so you won’t have any problem using the steam mop. However, you must never add soap-based cleaners, citrus-based cleaners, or any other type of chemicals and liquid because not only does this damage the floor but it can also ruin the equipment. Thus, only use distilled or demineralized water in the water tank of the steam mop.
Unlike the epoxy-coated concrete floor, the polished concrete floor can’t withstand much heat and moisture so it is better not to use a steam mop on this type of floor. If you decide to use a steam mop nonetheless, you should use the steam mop with extreme care and only on a low steam mode. One thing you must always remember before cleaning this type of concrete floor is to vacuum and sweep the floor as the smooth surface can easily be scratched or damaged due to dirt and debris. Similarly, avoid using any kinds of cleaning solutions and chemicals on this type of floor besides distilled or demineralized water.
Just like the above-mentioned polished concrete floor, the stained concrete floor also can’t withstand much heat and moisture so we do not recommend using a steam mop on this type of concrete floor. Similarly, you must be extra careful using a steam mop and must use it on a low steam mode. Always test the steam mop in an inconspicuous area before you steam mop the entire area as you can avoid damage.
We also do not recommend using a steam mop on the stamped concrete floor as it cannot withstand the heat and moisture of the steam mop. You can use other cleaning methods such as pressure washing, or simply washing with liquid dish soap and warm water. Never use a steam mop on this type of concrete floor.
The unsealed concrete floor can withstand high heat and moisture so a steam mop is highly recommended in this type of steam mop. However, do not use other chemicals or cleaning solutions instead of distilled or demineralized water as it can damage the concrete floor and equipment.
How to properly steam clean your concrete floors?
You can steam clean on mainly two types of concrete floors, especially epoxy-coated and unsealed concrete floors, without any issue, However, you must still know how to properly use a steam clean your concrete floors as you can damage the concrete floors if you are not careful.
The first steam before steam cleaning your concrete floor is to sweep or vacuum the concrete floors. The steam mop might be good at mopping and sanitizing the floors but it is not good at removing dust, dirt, or debris. If you don’t sweep or vacuum the floor before steam cleaning the concrete floor then the dirt and other particles can stuck on the steam mop pads and decrease the efficiency of the steam mop. Furthermore, dust and dirt particles can also catch or damage concrete floors.
Always inspect the steam mop before using it and make sure you have prepared all the necessary things for your steam mop such as filing in the tank with distilled or demineralized water, attaching clean and dry mop pads, plugging it in the power socket, etc. Don’t let your steam mop sit idle in one place because a lot of heat and moisture can accumulate in one place and can damage your concrete floors. Make sure you constantly move the steam mop and if you really have to stop your cleaning then you should completely unplug it or turn off the steam mop.
Another thing you should be careful about while using the steam mop is using the correct attachments and accessories. Nowadays, steam mop comes with a lot of attachments and accessories so make sure to read the user manual carefully. It’s always better to pre-treat the tough stains and stuck-on gunks before steam cleaning your concrete floor. You should always wash your steam mop after every use and let it dry before reusing it. Additionally, always carry extra clean mop pads while steam cleaning the concrete floors as you might need to replace the mop pads in the middle of cleaning the concrete floors.
The water on the floor will quickly evaporate so you won’t have to wait for a long time to use the floor after steam cleaning. After you have completed steam cleaning your concrete floor, make sure to inspect the steam mop once again and carefully drain out an excessive amount of water from your steam mop. Store the mop pads as per the user manual and in a clean place.
