How to Clean and Care for Terrazzo Floors (and What Never to Use)

Terrazzo can last a lifetime, and many floors already have. But the wrong cleaner or the wrong routine can dull, etch or stain it surprisingly fast. Here's how to keep yours looking its best.

Daily and weekly care

• Dust-mop daily in busy areas. Sand and grit act like sandpaper underfoot. Removing them is the single best thing you can do for terrazzo.
• Damp-mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. Look for a cleaner labeled pH neutral or made for stone or terrazzo. Use clean water, wring the mop well, and change the water often so you're not spreading dirty water around.
• Wipe up spills right away. Coffee, juice, wine, soda and anything acidic can stain or etch the surface if it sits.
• Use walk-off mats at entrances to catch dirt, salt and water before it reaches the floor. In Pennsylvania winters, this makes a big difference.

What NEVER to use on terrazzo

Why does my terrazzo look dull?

Usually it's one of these:

• Built-up wax or finish that has yellowed and scuffed
• Fine scratches from grit over the years
• Etching from acidic spills or the wrong cleaner
• Worn-out sealer that no longer protects the surface

Most of these can't be mopped away. They live in the top layer of the floor, or in the old finish sitting on top of it.

When it's time for a professional

Call a pro when:

• The floor stays dull even after a thorough cleaning
• There are stains that won't come out
• There are cracks, chips or missing pieces
• There's heavy wax buildup or yellowing
• The floor has been under carpet or tile and you want to bring it back

Professional restoration strips old finishes, repairs damage, grinds out scratches and stains, and polishes the floor back up, often to a better shine than anyone remembers it having. A protective sealer goes on afterward to make daily care easier.

See our Terrazzo Restoration & Repair page.