How to Clean Terrazzo

Co-authored by Ahmed Mezil

Last Updated: February 1, 2023

Terrazzo is a flooring or surface material made of chips of granite, and sometimes glass or other objects, set in concrete. Most of the time, terrazzo is sealed with a commercial sealer and has a shiny look to it. Basic cleaning isn’t too much different than many other surfaces. Make up a simple cleaner for treating small spots, or opt to use a steam cleaner for larger areas.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Basic Cleaner

1
Grab an empty spray bottle. Either buy an empty spritzer bottle, or empty and rinse out another spray bottle you already have. If you use a bottle that had liquid in it already, make sure it was a mild, non-acidic cleaner. If you use a bottle that has harsh chemicals, some of that may transfer to the floor.
2
Mix a solution with dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and water. Place a funnel in the top of the bottle to make pouring easier. Measure out ¼ teaspoon (1.23 ml) of dish soap and pour it in the bottle. Measure ¼ cup (59 ml) of rubbing alcohol and pour it in. Then add 2 ½ cups (591.5 ml) of water to the bottle.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Swirl the liquid around to mix it up. Gently swirl the bottle in a circular motion to to completely combine all of the ingredients. It take less than 30 seconds for the liquids to combine. The dish soap may form suds, but don’t worry about it.^{[2]
X
Research source}
4
Spray dirty spots on the terrazzo with the solution. Look for spots on the terrazzo that are hazy or dirty and spray the solution liberally. This solution works well for cleaning up terrazzo countertops, or for cleaning small sections of flooring.
- Only use this solution on terrazzo that has been sealed with commercial sealer or the moisture will soak into the pores.
- If an entire floor needs to be cleaned, opt for steam cleaning rather than using this solution.
5
Let the cleaner sit for 30 seconds-3 minutes. Especially for spots that are particularly dirty, let the solution sit for two or three minutes to give it time to work. If you are in a hurry, wipe it up as quickly as you need to. It’s not necessary to let the cleaner sit for more than a few minutes.
6
Wipe the spot with a damp towel. Use a clean rag when you wipe up the solution. Dampen the rag with hot water and wipe the spot with circular motions. If any spots still appear hazy or dirty, spray them again and let it sit for longer before you wipe it up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Steam Cleaner

1
Clear everything off of the terrazzo. Move any furniture that is on the terrazzo floor out of the way so you have no obstacles to clean around. If there is other clutter like papers, toys, or containers, move those out of the way too.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Before cleaning a terrazzo floor, make sure it is has been commercially sealed. It should have a smooth, glossy look. If it appears rough or dull, consult a flooring professional before doing any cleaning.
2
Dust mop the floor. Before you do a deep clean with a steam cleaner, run a dust mop across the entire floor to pick up hair, dust, and dirt first. Cleaning with steam will not be effective if there is a lot of debris still on the floor.
3
Fill the steam cleaner with water. Follow the instructions on the steam cleaner for how much water it needs and where the water goes. If you know that your tap water has a lot of mineral content, it’s best to use distilled water. Water with lots of mineral particles cannot clean effectively.
- Mineral-filled water will also leave residue on the inside of your steam cleaner which will eventually make it ineffective for cleaning.
- Some steam cleaners require you to add detergent, but the best type to use for terrazzo floors are steam cleaners that do not use soap.
4
Start in a corner and pull the cleaner in straight lines back and forth. Position the steam cleaner in a corner and pull it outward in a straight line. Continue to pull the steam cleaner back and forth in straight lines. Slightly overlap the previous line to make sure you don’t miss any spots.
5
Pull the steam cleaner slowly across the floor. Steam cleaners are not meant to be pushed and pulled quickly. Be sure to go slowly, allowing it to sit on each part of the floor for two to three seconds, or eight to ten seconds for especially dirty floors.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Do not leave the steamer sitting on a spot for more than 15 seconds as this can begin to damage the floor.
6
Place a sign warning people that the floor is wet. After you have steam cleaned the whole floor, it’s important to make sure people are safe. If you have a yellow “Wet Floor” sign, set this up. If not write some kind of sign so that people know not to walk on the floor, or to be extra careful.
7
Allow the floor to air dry. Let the floor air dry once you have cleaned it. It helps to turn on an overhead fan, or set up fans or blowers to get the floor dry faster.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Terrazzo Flooring

1
Place floor mats at entrances. One of the best ways to protect the floor is to keep gritty substances off of it. Placing floor mats in areas that lead up to terrazzo floors is a good way to clean shoes, especially in high traffic areas. Floor mats trap sand and other debris so it stays off the terrazzo floor.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- For terrazzo floors in your home, considering keeping your shoes off of them altogether.
2
Dust mop the floor on a regular basis. One of the primary threats to your terrazzo floor is abrasive particles like dirt and sand. Run a dry dust mop across the floor daily for high traffic areas. It is good to dust mop at least twice weekly to keep the floor from weakening.
- If you don’t have a dust mop, sweep the floor with a broom or use a Swiffer style sweeper with a dusting cloth attached.
3
Wipe spills up immediately. Terrazzo floors are susceptible to water damage if liquid is left sitting on the surface. Anytime you spill, wipe it up quickly with a clean, damp cloth. This is especially important for acidic liquid like citrus juices, carbonated soda, and coffee.^{[6]
X
Research source}