How to Care for and Clean a Brick Floor

Apply masonry sealer once a year to protect your flooring.

Brick tile flooring appeal goes beyond it looks, providing a number of practical benefits. Brick flooring is sturdy, durable, fade resistant, slip resistant and fireproof. You can clean and maintain your brick tiles without specialized knowledge and without investing excessive time and energy. With a few basic maintenance procedures, you can ensure that your flooring remains like new for years to come.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Vacuum cleaner
• Mop
• Bucket
• White vinegar
• Paint roller
• Brick masonry sealer

Instructions

1. Sweep your brick floor with a standard broom to remove dust and dirt from the surface. Do this weekly to prevent excess dirt from accumulating, and sweep up any major food or crumb spills as soon as they occur.

2. Vacuum the floor once or twice a month to remove the fine dirt and dust particles that your broom may miss. For best results, vacuum immediately after sweeping to prevent your vacuum cleaner from picking up larger, jagged objects.

3. Pour one gallon of hot water into a clean bucket and add a cup of white vinegar. Soak a mop in the liquid and proceed to mop your entire brick floor. Reader's Digest recommends that you include this as part of your regular housecleaning to maintain a clean and polished appearance.

4. Apply a brick masonry sealer once a year. Available at most paint stores, the sealer will protect your flooring from dust, discoloration and wear, and ensure that your bricks maintain their bright appearance. Use a paint roller to apply a coat of sealer over your entire brick floor, and follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper amount and necessary drying time.

Tips & Warnings

• If your floor begins to lose its luster, apply two or three coats of floor wax using a mop a with clean, unused head. When purchasing floor wax, read the label and make sure that the product is safe for brick flooring.

• Never apply harsh soaps or detergents to your brick floor, as the chemicals can dissolve the sealer.

References

• Reader's Digest: Extraordinary Uses for Vinegar - Around the House
• Charles & Hudson: How to Care for Brick Flooring
• Charles & Hudson: Benefits of Brick Flooring
• This Old House: Sealing a Brick Floor
• The Flooring Lady: Brick Flooring