Microcement Maintenance and Cleaning

Is microcement easy to maintain? Learn how to clean and care for microcement floors, bathrooms, walls and other surfaces.

One of the benefits of microcement is the outstanding durability of its low-maintenance finish. Unlike tiles, the seamless surface doesn't have grout lines that require separate cleaning, while the use of sealers helps protect the finish from everyday moisture, dirt and staining.

Like any decorative surface, however, microcement still needs to be cared for correctly — low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. The right cleaning methods will preserve the appearance and performance of your finish for years to come.

At Alternative Surfaces, we install X-Bond Microcement, a polymer-modified surface overlay suitable for floors, walls, bathrooms, joinery and outdoor applications. Here's what you should know about maintaining it.

X-Bond Microcement Exterior Floors, Walls and Joinery

modern interior with microcement floors, walls and ceiling

commercial interior with microcement surfaces

General Microcement Cleaning Guide

For everyday cleaning, microcement doesn't require complicated equipment or specialist cleaning methods.

Generally, you should:

Regularly remove dust, sand, grit and other debris from floors.
Use a clean microfibre mop or cloth for routine cleaning.
Common, mild household disinfectants can be used; however in bathrooms, avoid detergents with a solvent-based acetone of concentrate exceeding 50%.
Clean spills from boiling oil, harsh chemicals, or acidic substances as soon as possible rather than allowing these liquids to sit on the surface.
Avoid unnecessarily abrasive cleaning methods that could affect the finished surface.
In external spaces, you can simply hose down with low- or high-pressure washing equipment.

View more in the X-Bond Microcement Maintenance Guide.

Microcement Floor Maintenance

Microcement flooring is designed for everyday use and high traffic levels, including residential and commercial applications. As with timber, stone and many other finished flooring materials, preventing unnecessary abrasion is one of the easiest ways to protect the surface.

Sand, grit and larger pieces of debris can act as abrasives when walked across a floor. Regular sweeping or microfibre cleaning can help minimise this.

For furniture, felt protectors can be used beneath legs, while workstation mats can help protect areas exposed to repeated movement from desk chairs. Walk-off mats and rugs can also help capture dirt in entrances and other high-traffic areas.

Spills should be cleaned promptly if they contain chemical or acidic substances.

Learn More: The Pros and Cons of Microcement Flooring

How Do You Clean Microcement Bathrooms & Showers?

One of the major reasons people choose microcement for bathrooms is its seamless application. Rather than a grid of tiles and grout lines, X-Bond creates a continuous finish across bathroom walls, floors and shower areas. Not only is this beautiful, but it’s also more practical than grout, which can accumulate mould and soap scum, or may crack and deteriorate over time.

Some cleaning tips for microcement bathrooms include:

After showering, rinsing away shampoo, conditioner and soap residue can help prevent product build-up.
For deeper cleaning, X-Bond shower surfaces can be cleaned using a soft-bristle brush and suitable low-abrasive detergent.
Products that contain strong pigments or oils — including hair dye, coloured shampoo, tanning products and body oils — should not be left sitting on the surface. Any residue should be rinsed or wiped away promptly.

Does Microcement Stain Easily?

We often have clients come to us with concerns about staining. A correctly sealed microcement surface is designed to resist everyday staining, but stain resistant doesn't mean stain proof.

(We address more of the most common microcement concerns in this article)

The likelihood of staining depends on factors including the substance involved, how long it remains on the surface, and the sealer used. For example, hot oil splashes from the stove should be wiped away as soon as possible. While X-Bond Microcement is heat resistant, the sealer applied on top may be affected by direct topical contact with very hot substances. In the kitchen — especially on splashbacks or benchtops — cleaning hot oil spills promptly helps maintain the finished appearance.

Similarly, highly pigmented products like purple shampoo or fake tan can be more likely to leave marks if they're allowed to sit on the finish for too long. The simplest rule is to clean spills when they happen.