How to Maintain and Clean Terrazzo Floors

Terrazzo floors… ah, I absolutely love them! If you’ve ever walked into a building with those sleek, speckled floors that seem to shine with a timeless elegance, you’ve probably been standing on terrazzo. I’ll admit, when I first installed terrazzo floors in my hallway, I had no idea what I was getting into. I knew they looked gorgeous, but I wasn’t prepared for the maintenance required to keep them looking that way. But don’t worry—I’ve learned a lot since then, and I’m here to share all the tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way.

Spoiler alert: with the right care, terrazzo floors are surprisingly easy to maintain, and they’ll look stunning for years.

1. What Exactly Are Terrazzo Floors? (And Why I Chose Them)

Before we jump into maintenance, let me tell you why I fell in love with terrazzo in the first place. Terrazzo is made from chips of marble, granite, quartz, or even glass set into a concrete or epoxy binder. The result is a floor that’s not only beautiful but also incredibly durable. When I was deciding on flooring for my entryway, I wanted something that could handle heavy foot traffic but still looked classy. Terrazzo was perfect for that.

Plus, you can customize terrazzo with different colors and patterns. I went for a light base with subtle gray and white marble chips—classic and versatile. If you’re someone who wants flooring that will stand out and make a statement, terrazzo is a fantastic choice.

But, as with anything that looks this good, there’s some upkeep involved.

2. Daily Cleaning: Keep It Simple, Keep It Consistent

Let’s start with the day-to-day cleaning. Terrazzo might seem high-maintenance, but honestly, it’s pretty low-key if you stay on top of it. I’ve found that a daily sweep or vacuum does wonders for keeping the floors looking fresh. Dirt and grit are terrazzo’s worst enemy because they can scratch the surface if left unchecked.

At first, I didn’t vacuum every day—I figured, “It’s just a little dirt, how bad could it be?” Big mistake. After a few weeks of neglect, I started noticing tiny scratches in the high-traffic areas. So, now I make sure to give the floor a quick sweep or vacuum every day, especially around doorways where dirt tends to collect.

Pro tip: If you’re using a vacuum, make sure it has a soft brush attachment. A regular vacuum head can be too harsh on terrazzo, causing more harm than good. Trust me, I learned this the hard way when I used my regular vacuum on the terrazzo the first time—it left scuff marks that I had to buff out later!

3. Mopping: What NOT to Do (And What Works)

Okay, mopping sounds easy enough, right? Well, that’s what I thought, too. My first instinct was to grab a bucket of soapy water and mop away, but guess what? Regular soap and terrazzo floors do not mix well. The soap left behind a hazy film that made the floors look dull, and I spent ages trying to buff it off.

The key to mopping terrazzo is to use a pH-neutral cleaner. I picked up a terrazzo-specific cleaner at my local hardware store, and it made all the difference. If you’re ever unsure, just check the label on the cleaner—anything too acidic or too alkaline can damage the terrazzo’s finish over time. I mop my floors about once a week, using a damp (not soaking wet) mop, and it’s been smooth sailing ever since.

If you can’t find a terrazzo cleaner, warm water works great on its own. I sometimes add a splash of vinegar for extra cleaning power, but not too much—you don’t want to make it too acidic.

Pro tip: Use a microfiber mop. It’s gentle on the terrazzo and does a great job at picking up dirt without scratching the surface. I used to use a traditional string mop, but it was too rough and didn’t clean as thoroughly as I’d like.

4. Stain Removal: Stay Calm and Act Fast

One thing I wish someone had told me earlier? Terrazzo floors can stain, and the key to preventing stains is to act fast. I learned this the hard way when I spilled red wine in my hallway during a party (of course, it had to happen there, right?). The longer you leave a spill, the more likely it is to seep into the porous surface and leave a mark.

When it comes to spills, here’s what I do now:

1. Blot, don’t rub: The first thing you want to do is blot the spill with a paper towel or cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. Rubbing just spreads the stain around and pushes it deeper into the floor.
2. Use a pH-neutral cleaner: For any stubborn stains, I apply a bit of my trusty pH-neutral terrazzo cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it up. If the stain is really tough, a baking soda paste (mix baking soda with water until it forms a thick paste) works wonders. Just spread it on the stain, let it sit for about 10-15 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft cloth and rinse.

The key is not to panic. Most stains can be lifted if you catch them quickly enough. Just be sure to avoid anything too abrasive—no harsh scrubbing pads or steel wool. I learned that the hard way, too, when I tried to scrub out a coffee stain with a rough sponge and ended up leaving scratch marks on the floor. Oops.

5. Polishing: Bringing Back the Shine

I’m going to be honest here—when I first installed my terrazzo floors, I didn’t think I’d need to polish them. They looked so shiny and new, I figured that’s just how they’d stay. Fast forward a few months, and they were starting to look a little dull, especially in the high-traffic areas.

Polishing terrazzo is easier than you might think, and it makes a huge difference. I use a terrazzo polish about once every six months to bring back that high-gloss finish. If you’ve never polished terrazzo before, here’s how I do it:

1. Clean the floor thoroughly: You don’t want any dirt or dust trapped under the polish.
2. Apply the polish: I use a soft cloth or a microfiber mop to spread a thin layer of terrazzo polish over the floor.
3. Buff it out: This is the fun part! Once the polish has dried, I use a buffing machine to really bring out the shine. You can rent a buffing machine from most hardware stores if you don’t have one. If you don’t want to go the machine route, you can buff by hand with a soft cloth, but it’ll take a bit longer.

After polishing, the floors look like they did the day they were installed—seriously, it’s amazing. It’s worth the effort, especially if you have guests coming over and you want to impress them with those sparkling floors.

6. Sealing: Your Long-Term Insurance Policy

If you’re serious about protecting your terrazzo floors, you’ll want to seal them. I was a bit hesitant about this at first, thinking, “Do I really need to seal them?” But after a couple of spills and some minor scratches, I realized that sealing was a no-brainer.

Sealing terrazzo helps protect it from stains, scratches, and general wear and tear. I sealed my floors about a month after they were installed, and I try to reseal them every year or so to keep them in tip-top shape. It’s not as big of a project as it sounds, and the peace of mind it gives you is worth it.

Here’s how I seal my terrazzo:

1. Clean the floor thoroughly: You want to make sure there’s no dirt or dust trapped under the sealer.
2. Apply the sealer: I use a paint roller to apply a thin, even layer of terrazzo sealer over the entire floor. Be careful not to apply too much—less is more here.
3. Let it dry: This is the hard part for me because I’m impatient! But you’ve got to let the sealer dry completely before walking on it. I usually wait at least 24 hours.

The sealer acts as a barrier, preventing spills from soaking in and making the floors easier to clean. Plus, it helps maintain that beautiful shine.