Caring for Terrazzo and Hardwood Floors in Ghana's Climate

Terrazzo: Tough but Not Invincible

Terrazzo is wonderfully durable, which is why it has been a staple in Ghanaian homes for generations. Its weakness is chemical, not physical. Acidic cleaners, including vinegar and many bathroom descalers, etch the surface and dull the polish permanently.

Daily care is simple: sweep or dust-mop to remove grit, which acts like sandpaper under foot traffic, and mop with a neutral pH cleaner. For a deeper refresh, professional scrubbing and re-polishing every few years restores the original shine.

• Use only neutral pH cleaners, never vinegar or acidic products
• Sweep daily in high-traffic areas to remove abrasive grit
• Wipe spills promptly, especially oils and coloured liquids
• Consider professional polishing every two to three years

Hardwood: Respect the Water

Hardwood's enemy in Ghana is moisture. Our humidity already stresses wood, and adding water through wet mopping causes boards to swell, cup, and gap. The rule is simple: never wet-mop hardwood. Use a well-wrung, barely damp mop or a microfibre spray system that mists rather than soaks.

Furniture pads matter more than most people realise. A single dragged chair can score a finish that took years to build up. Felt pads under every leg are a small investment that prevents the most common damage we see.

What Both Floors Share

Whatever the surface, grit is the universal enemy. Entrance mats, both outside and inside the door, capture the sand and dust that would otherwise grind into your floors daily. In a city where dust is a fact of life, this single habit does more for floor longevity than any cleaning product.

And when floors have lost their lustre despite good care, a professional deep clean often reveals that the problem is residue buildup from unsuitable products rather than wear, something the right treatment can reverse.