Floor Care
& Maintenance

Dry mop or soft vacuum to remove grit and laterite dust. Never use abrasive tools or stiff brushes — the sealed surface can be scuffed by sand. Place felt pads under all furniture legs.

Mop with warm water and a pH-neutral floor cleaner (never use acidic cleaners, bleach, or vinegar — these degrade the sealer and can etch the microtopping). Wring mop nearly dry — standing water should never sit on the surface.

Apply a fresh maintenance wax coat every 6–12 months in high-traffic areas. Inspect for any areas of sealer wear — address immediately before moisture penetrates. Full re-seal every 3–5 years depending on traffic.

Sweep or soft-vacuum to remove grit. In Uganda's red soil season, this is critical — laterite particles are highly abrasive and will scratch hardwood finishes rapidly if left to accumulate. Use a dust mop rather than a regular broom where possible.

Damp mop with a hardwood-specific floor cleaner — diluted exactly as directed. The mop should be nearly dry (wrung out fully). Excessive water is the primary enemy of hardwood in Uganda — never leave standing water on a timber floor.

Apply hardwood maintenance oil or wax annually (oil-finished floors) or buff with appropriate product (lacquered floors). Inspect for areas of finish wear — re-coat these areas promptly before bare wood is exposed to moisture. Full professional refinish every 7–15 years.

Dry mop or soft vacuum. Terrazzo is dense and durable but can be etched by acidic materials — wipe up any acid spills (citrus juices, vinegar, carbonated drinks) immediately to prevent permanent etching of the marble aggregate.

Wet mop with a pH-neutral cleaner. For lightly soiled terrazzo, warm water alone is often sufficient. Avoid any cleaner that isn't specifically confirmed pH-neutral — even some "floor cleaners" are mildly acidic and will gradually dull terrazzo over time.

Professional crystalline sealer application every 3–5 years. If the surface is showing loss of sheen or surface etching from acidic cleaning, a professional grind and re-polish will fully restore the surface — this is one of terrazzo's great advantages.

Sweep or vacuum. Tiled floors are highly forgiving daily — the tile itself is essentially impervious to most household substances. The grout is where attention is needed — it's porous and stains more easily than the tile.

Mop with warm water and a mild detergent or tile cleaner. For grout maintenance, use a slightly stiffer grout brush monthly to prevent soil from embedding into the grout surface. Seal grout lines annually with a penetrating grout sealer.

Professional grout cleaning and re-sealing every 1–2 years for kitchens and bathrooms. Re-grout any cracked or deteriorating grout lines promptly — this prevents water penetration to the adhesive and substrate below.

Dry mop to remove grit. Concrete floors can scratch if abrasive particles are ground in under foot traffic or wheeled equipment. Entrance matting is particularly important for polished concrete in Uganda's laterite soil environment.

Wet mop with pH-neutral cleaner or a specific concrete floor cleaner. For outdoor stamped concrete, rinse down with a hose weekly during dry season to prevent laterite dust and organic material buildup.

Re-seal polished concrete every 1–3 years (more frequently in high-traffic commercial areas). Stamped outdoor concrete should be re-sealed every 2–3 years — UV and rainfall degrade sealers faster outdoors in Uganda. A fresh sealer coat dramatically revives the appearance and restores protection.

Sweep or industrial vacuum. Epoxy floors in commercial and industrial environments should be swept daily to prevent grit accumulation. For food service environments, a daily clean-in-place regime should be established.

Scrub with warm water and a commercial floor cleaner (confirm chemical compatibility with your epoxy system). A single-disc scrubber machine dramatically improves cleaning efficiency in larger commercial and industrial areas.

Inspect for any areas of delamination, chip damage, or sealer wear and address promptly. Apply a fresh topcoat every 3–7 years depending on traffic level and chemical exposure to maintain the protective qualities of the system.