A Happy Family

Regardless of the type of flooring you have, it will not be maintenance free. All floors would require proper care, so it will look great and will last long without any risk of damages. The same would go for concrete flooring, especially with carpets. These types of flooring require regular attention, depending on the traffic it receives. But what are the exact ways on how you can care for your concrete flooring properly?

Read on as I show you the different tips to take care of concrete floors!

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Tips to Take Care of Concrete Floors

What's great about concrete floors is that they are made of sturdy materials and can be used for indoors or outdoors. They are easy to clean and fairly resistant to messes and stains. However, they still stain and would soak up spills and dirt, despite its toughness. So if you want to ensure that your concrete floors are well-maintained, follow these ways to clean it:

1. Power Washer

If you have cornet floors outdoors, then the easiest way to clean it is through using a power washer. It will blast away all forms of dirt, grime, and mildew quickly. All you need to do is to spray the surface with detergent and a stiff brush to scrub. Do NOT use metal-bristle brushes. After that, switch on the pressure washer and start washing it all away.

2. Removing Stains

To remove stains from your concrete floors, you can use bleach ammonia or cleaning solutions. A natural cleaning solution is a mixture of flour and hydrogen peroxide (it should have the consistency of nut butter). Let that solution sit overnight and scrape it with a scraper tool with plastic edges. The stains will be removed immediately!

3. TSP

TSP stands for trisodium phosphate. Mix it with water and scrub it on stained areas and it can remove those stubborn stains. Spread the solution to the stained areas and use a nylon bristle brush to scrub it off. Continue to scrub until the stains are gone then rinse it with a hose.

4. Muriatic Acid

Another good way to clean the toughest stains is by using muriatic acid. This can clean dried grout or rust. However, this is a very powerful and toxic material which should be used carefully. Make sure that you wear protective gloves and eyewear when handling it and follow the instructions on using it to clean concrete.

5. Indoor Concrete Floors

If you have indoor concrete floors, you can use a gentler approach on cleaning concrete. Use a mop and water mixed with mild cleaning solution. Do not use any substance high in acid on stamped or polished floors. Simply mix the solution, use a mop, then rinse it with a mop and clean water.

6. Make Floors Stain-Resistant

To make the concrete floors resistant to stains, apply concrete sealant by using a paint roller. You'll need to do this every two years to ensure that there will be little to no stains on your floors.

Bonus Tips on Maintaining Clean Concrete Floors

To prevent any damage to your concrete floors, make sure you do this:

If you're still planning to design your concrete floor, then I recommend that you avoid any floor designs that have saw cut patterns. This is because the narrow cuts can trap diet and make it more difficult to clean.
Unless the floors are polished, protect it by using a quality floor sealer. With the top layer protection, it will prolong the floor's lifespan and enhance the appearance.
If you want to protect your floors even more from any form of dirt and abrasion, then applying floor wax is recommended. Through using this finish, it preserves the sealer. Plus, it's very easy to apply if it starts to wear off!
If your floors are victim to heavy foot traffic, like in foyers and entrances, then use floor mats to prevent the wear and tear.
I recommend that you avoid using stilettos or boots when stepping on your floors, particularly indoors. Instead, opt to use soft slippers or go barefoot to avoid wearing out the floors too quickly. This will also prevent too much dust and dirt from outdoors coming into the floors as well.
What's great about concrete floors is that they are a wise choice for pet owners, as it doesn't trap dander and fur. They also allow easy cleanup, simply by using a broom or mop to remove stains.
When it comes to cleaning, make sure that you follow the maintenance schedule and cleaning solutions recommended buy your contractor and manufacturer. Don't over clean or use harsh cleaning products which can damage the floor even more. It's best to clean your floors weekly or at least once a month.

Wrapping It Up

Proper care and maintenance for your flooring is key to keep it looking grand. After all, you wouldn't want to risk damaging it and having to spend on expensive floor prices! As long as you follow the right tips and know what to do to prevent your floors from aging, then you won't have to worry about repair.

I hope that these tips to take care of concrete floors gave you an idea on what you can do to begin getting the quality flooring you need today. So don't wait any longer and begin implementing any of these tips today.

If you have any questions or want to share your tips and experiences on caring for concrete floors, then comment below. I would love to hear what you have to think.

“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

THE PROBLEM – difficult relationship patterns

As we progress through life we are changed by our experiences, and how we understand those experiences. Sometimes we meet someone who will be a friend or a partner for life but often we outgrow each other, knowing when to let go of a relationship or when to work on it can be tricky. Of course maintaining a relationship with someone you just don’t like any more can leave you with feelings of resentment and confusion.

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THE SOLUTION

It might be worth you thinking about whether or not this is a relationship that you want to maintain. If you decide that yes they are worth it then all you can do is work on your part in the relationship. Relationships take work, a lot of work sometimes, and sometimes the most passionate relationships die the fastest – “The flame that burns Twice as bright burns half as long.”― Lao Tzu, Te Tao Ching.

If you have decided that you want to keep working on your relationships here are 5 easy steps to follow to enhance your chances of the relationshipmaking the finish line:

1. Communicate. One of the fastest ways to destroy relationship is to stop communicating. If your partner says something you don’t understand or don’t agree with, don’t shut down and hold the resentment. Instead ask them to explain and talk it through. When challenging some one else’s beliefs or perceptions it can be useful to use “I” statements: I feel this, I think that, rather than you are this or you did that. This non-confrontational way of communicating can help a great deal during disagreements. Money is the cause of almost one-third of all divorces. If you’re having financial issues, consider getting some professional help. Kind words, given at the right time, are important too. Giving compliments to the one you love will help to keep you both connected.

2. Respect one another. If you feel that you are not respected in your relationship and find yourself unable to really be your real self around your partner you should ask yourself why that is. Sometimes our relationship problems stem from our past and can present as frustratingly repetitive patterns. To help with this you may benefit from relationship coaching- working on your self can help you to understand your relationship dynamics and to break through any unhelpful patterns you may have developed. If your partner or friend is disrespectful or abusive, of course this is not the person for you!

3. Give each other space. As the old saying goes – “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. The beginning stage of relationships is often characterized by feelings of being in love and a mutual, almost obsessional, desire to be with each other 24/7. After a while this fades and in fact it is healthy and desirable to take a little time apart is good for every relationship. To avoid feeling totally entangled with your partner don’t stop doing the things you love or spending time with your friends.

4. Stay connected. As well as practicing healthy verbal communication relationships can really benefit from physical touch. Holding hands, exchanging massages, the feel of your partner’s hand touching your back as you fall asleep—these moments are as important as making love for many people.

5. Be honest. Being honest is imperative - lying, secretiveness, cheating are qualities that are almost guaranteed to destroy a relationship. Being open and honest in a relationship will allow your partner to get to know the real you and after all, we all want to be loved for who we truly are. Sometimes what we have to say may not be comfortable for the other person to hear but respect, compassion, and mindful communication can help us to communicate.