TERRAZZO BENCHES AND SURFACES.
As terrazzo is a combination of porous concrete and natural products such as stone, a sealer is applied to provide better protection and a shine to your surface. Tukang Terrazzo provide a maintenance kit containing everything you need for maintenance with all their benches.
Please also note:
To protect this surface, please follow the following guidelines.
1. Be extra careful with fruit preparation, especially citrus such as lemon. Always using a chopping board, as the fruit acids will damage the sealer.
2. Wine also contains fruit acids, so use coasters with all drinks to avoid rings in the sealer.
3. Wipe any spills as soon as they occur to avoid them soaking in.
4. Use a gentle cleaner as below. There are some products available on the market for stone surfaces.
Every few years if you wish, for a service fee, we can reseal and repolishing your bench, to bring it back to its best.
TERRAZZO FLOORING
***USE NEUTRAL CLEANERS
CLEANING :
Terrazzo should be cleaned only with neutral liquid cleaners.
After mopping your cleaning solution onto the floor, allow several minutes for the grime-dissolving action to take place, then squeegee, wet vacuum, or mop up the dirt laden solution. It is important to keep the floor wet during the entire cleaning process so the dirt does not reabsorb into the floor.
ENSURE THAT YOUR RINSE WATER, MOP AND PAIL ARE CLEAN so that dirt is not reapplied to the floor.
Cleaning Materials: The liquid cleaner selected MUST be neutral with a pH factor between 7.0 and 10.0. The cleaner must also be free from any harmful alkali, acid, etc. that might damage the floor.
DO NOT USE soaps containing water solubles, inorganic salts or crystallizing salts in the maintenance of terrazzo; they may cause damage.
NON-OILY DRESSINGS
If a mop dressing is used for daily sweeping, be sure it is non-oily. Some Sweeping compounds containing oil are a fire hazard and most of them contain sand, which is hard to sweep up and abrades the floor. Floor oils also penetrate and permanently discolor terrazzo.
CURING AND AESTHETICS
New terrazzo floors require time and patience to allow the curing process to run its natural course. It is also a fact that many terrazzo colors will appear mottled initially. This does not indicate that the terrazzo is not made properly. It is the normal characteristic of terrazzo. It is a fact that, initially, the aesthetics of a new terrazzo floor may be different from what is desired.
As each day passes, the appearance and colours will improve. We provide the owner with the performance, aesthetics and ease of maintenance for the life-long expectancy of a terrazzo floor.
Internal Protection: Proper protection for terrazzo is accomplished internally rather than “on the surface.” Being internal, the process of waxing and rewaxing is eliminated. Only periodic resealing are necessary using a water based acrylic sealer that has a non-slip rating of 0.5 or higher. It is wise to note here that purely surface protection holds dirt and adds to your cleaning and/or presents a stripping problem.
STAIN REMOVAL:
No flooring material has yet been developed which is completely stain proof. Properly sealed terrazzo is stain-resistant; and if you wipe up spills promptly, you should have few problems with staining. However, some staining will eventually occur, as with any other flooring material.
Ask yourself two questions before attempting to treat any stain:
1. What caused the stain?
2. What is the least harmful way of removing it?
Chemicals should be used only as a last resort in removing stains. Remember that a certain method may be effective on the stain but harmful to the floor itself.
Stain removers act in one of three ways: they either dissolve the substance that caused the stain or they absorb or bleach the stain. Solvents such as carbon tetrachloride dissolve grease, chewing gum and lipstick; absorbents, such as chalk, talcum powder, blotting paper or cotton, absorb fresh grease and moist stains; and bleaches, such as household ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid or lemon juice, discolor or fade stains.
Caution: Follow directions carefully when you use chemicals to remove stains. And, always "remove the stain remover" as soon as its job has been done. Remember that many of these substances are on the "Not recommended list" for general floor care, but must be used if the stain is to be removed.
Try the following methods for some of the more common types of staining. Try the first method listed first, and go to the second only if this doesn't work. For unknown stains or heavy staining, consult a professional.
The chemicals listed may be purchased at drug stores or at chemical or laundry supply houses. Where poultices are recommended, apply them about one-half inch thick, and let the mixture dry thoroughly before removing.
Caution: Always wear rubber gloves when using the methods marked with an asterisk (*).
Alcoholic Beverages
1. Use liquid detergent and warm water.
2.*Follow with denatured alcohol if stain remains.
3.*Lay an absorbent cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide directly over stain; put an ammonia-saturated cloth on top of this.
Blood
1. Try cold clear water first, then add a few drops of ammonia.
2. Wet spot with lukewarm water and sprinkle with powered malt. Let stand an hour and rinse.
Coffee
1. Saturate an absorbent cloth with solution of one part glycerin and three parts water and lay over spot.
2.*Apply a poultice of hydrogen peroxide and calcium carbonate.
3. Apply a poultice of abrasive powder and hot water.
Fruit
1. Use a powdered detergent and warm water.
2. If rough spot results, rub with powdered pumice stone under a block of wood.
Grease or Oil
1. Use a liquid detergent and warm water.
2. Pour solvent on spot. Rub with clean, soft cloth.
Ink
1. Use a liquid detergent and warm water.
2.*Apply a poultice of two tablespoons sodium perborate in pint of water mixed with whiting into a paste. Repeat if necessary.
3. Some blue inks respond to a treatment of strong ammonia water solution applied on a layer of cotton.
Lipstick
1. Use a liquid detergent and warm water.
2.*Lay an absorbent cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide directly over stain; put an ammonia-saturated cloth on top of this.
Paint
1. Use a liquid detergent and warm water.
2. Pour solvent on spot. Rub with clean, soft cloth.
Rust
1. Apply a poultice made by mixing one part sodium citrate crystals to six parts water, mixed thoroughly with an equal amount of glycerin. Mix with whiting to form a paste stiff enough to stick to the surface in a thick coat. Allow to stand several days. Repeat process if stain remains.
Soft Drinks
1.*Lay an absorbent cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide directly over stain; put an ammonia-saturated cloth on top of this
Tobacco
1. Try lemon juice in water.
2.*Lay an absorbent cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide directly over stain; put an ammonia-saturated cloth on top of this.
3. Apply a poultice of abrasive powder and hot water.
4. Treat with equal parts of alcohol and glycerin.
Urine
1. Apply a poultice of abrasive powder and hot water.
*Lay an absorbent cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide directly over stain; put an ammonia-saturated cloth on top of this.
