efflor-watchamacallit on brick floor - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums

cleaningcleaner · 10-13-2009, 11:34 AM

My parents have a red brick bloor in the dining room of their bicentennial home. It's mostly shiny, so sealed? At some point they had a water leak and now the floor has a lot of white yuck on it. Sherwin Williams recommended using a cordovan shoe polish to renew the red color. It kind of turns the white blackish, though, and doesn't really REMOVE the gunk. I'd like to surprise them by cleaning the floor while they're out. Do you think I could scrub it off with baking soda? Vinegar? Both?

I don't want to make things worse, and they don't like harsh chemicals in the home.
Thanks!
Kate

Davestone · 10-14-2009, 07:12 PM

Kate since we arent' sure what's on it and not sure if the brick is fired,why don't you use some good ole cheap pressure washer soap from Home Depot and a nylon scrub brush and a wetvac if needed,get the type that says it cleans brick.

cleaningcleaner · 11-05-2009, 11:09 PM

For the reply!

william35453 · 11-07-2009, 12:32 AM

hey kate, with wooden floors the standard test for wax finishes is to drop some water on it and leave for an hour or so . . . if it leaves a white spot where the water was, it has a wax finish. so . . . maybe it's been waxed? and you could remove the wax with a stripper?

Davestone · 11-07-2009, 07:19 AM

I can't imagine someone waxing a brick floor,but i guess it's possible.

william35453 · 11-08-2009, 12:12 AM

http://www.ehow.com/way_5371584_bric...intenance.html

Quote:

Brick floors should be treated with wax regularly to provide additional protection and make cleaning easier. Make sure the floor is clean before waxing. Get a solvent-based wax polish, and apply it in a thin, even layer.

http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/floor...rick-flooring/

Quote:

Steps for Stripping and Waxing:
*The ammonia in this solution strips the floor with each use. The self-sealing wax allows you to skip the step of applying a separate sealant. It is not as effective as a thorough stripping and resealing, but it works well for a quick touch-up.

Apply the floor wax following the manufacturer’s instructions. Two thin coats may be necessary. If you choose a wax that is self-sealing, it will not be necessary to apply a separate sealer.

Davestone · 11-08-2009, 08:43 AM

William, you can find people saying anything on the net.Think about the hassle of waxing something as coarse as brick,you'd be waxing it constantly.High needless maintenance.Sure it would help keep out dirt but you'd be workin your butt off maintaining it,don't know what's worse,wax if you want to i guess.