To clean a brick floor, sweep or vacuum first, then scrub in small sections with a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft-bristle brush, rinse with clean water and dry the floor fast. Brick is porous, so the biggest risks are too much water, acids and abrasives.
This guide is for facility and kitchen teams caring for interior brick in restaurants, breweries, cafes, lobbies and retail. It covers the sealed-or-unsealed test, the routine, stain treatment and the machines to match.
- Test whether the brick is sealed before you choose a method. Chief Bricks says water that beads up means sealed and water that soaks in and darkens the brick means unsealed.
- Use a pH-neutral cleaner and as little water as possible. Chief Bricks warns that harsh chemicals can eat away at brick and grout, and that soaking mops can cause stains and mildew.
- Rinse and dry completely. Chief Bricks says leftover soap residue attracts dirt, and drying prevents water stains and keeps moisture out of the grout.
- Never use acids, wire brushes or wax on brick. Inglenook Tile says not to clean unglazed brick or tile with acids, strong soaps or abrasives.
Why Does Brick Need a Different Routine?
Brick is porous, so it absorbs liquids and holds dirt in its pores and grout lines. Chief Bricks says brick needs pH-neutral cleaners and minimal water, and calls unsealed brick "extremely absorbent," like a tough sponge.
That changes the routine: scrub gently, keep the floor damp rather than wet, and dry it quickly. For other hard surfaces, see how to clean travertine floors, how to clean slate floors and how to clean ceramic and porcelain tile floors.
Is Your Brick Floor Sealed?
Drop a few drops of water on a hidden spot: if they bead up, the brick is likely sealed; if they soak in quickly and darken it, the brick is unsealed. Chief Bricks describes this water drop test and says it decides your whole cleaning approach.
| Feature | Sealed brick | Unsealed brick |
|---|---|---|
| Water drop | Beads up | Soaks in and darkens |
| Porosity | Low, repels water and stains | High, absorbs liquids quickly |
| Cleaning method | Damp-mop with a pH-neutral cleaner | Gentle scrubbing with minimal water |
| Acids such as vinegar | Avoid; they can break down the sealer | Only for specific stains, then rinse well |
Table content follows Chief Bricks. If you do not know what sealer is on the floor, ask the installer or sealer maker before using any new product.
How Do You Clean Brick Floors Step by Step?
Clear debris, scrub in small sections with a pH-neutral solution, rinse from a second bucket, and dry. Chief Bricks gives a five-step deep-clean method that suits a commercial floor if you scale the buckets to the room.
- Close the area. Put out wet-floor signs and keep foot traffic off the section being cleaned.
- Sweep or vacuum thoroughly. Chief Bricks says loose particles act like sandpaper underfoot, and that a vacuum pulls dirt out of crevices and grout better than a broom.
- Test first. Try any new cleaner on a hidden area and read the brick and sealer maker's guidance.
- Mix a gentle solution. Chief Bricks uses about one tablespoon of mild pH-neutral cleaner per gallon of warm water for a bucket. For a commercial cleaner, follow the label rate instead.
- Scrub in small sections. Chief Bricks says to work roughly three-by-three-foot areas with a soft-bristle brush in circular motions.
- Rinse. Chief Bricks says to go over each scrubbed section with a well-wrung mop dipped in clean water from a second bucket, changing the rinse water as it gets dirty.
- Check the recovery tank. If you use a wet vacuum or scrubber, look for foam on the first fill, because foam pulled into a vacuum motor damages it.
- Dry completely. Chief Bricks says to blot with towels or open windows and run a fan so water stains and grout moisture do not set in.
For routine care, Chief Bricks suggests sweeping or vacuuming every couple of days and mopping weekly with a wrung-out, damp mop. In a commercial space, set the frequency by traffic. Inglenook Tile adds that microfiber mops hold up better than sponge mops on the texture of unglazed floors.
The routine damp-mop product. It is pH-neutral, low-residue and low-foam at label dilution, and is labeled for mop or cleaning-system use on concrete, stone, ceramic, wood, laminate, marble, granite and terracotta. Brick is not named on the label, so test a hidden area first and confirm with the brick or sealer maker.
Which Cleaner Is Safe for Brick?
A mild, pH-neutral cleaner at the label rate is the safe routine choice. Chief Bricks says to skip acidic and abrasive products that can etch brick faces or weaken grout joints, and Inglenook Tile says soap and water or a commercial tile or stone detergent works for heavier soil, rinsed well.
| Product type | Use on brick? | Source guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Mild pH-neutral cleaner at label rate | Yes, first choice | Chief Bricks: the routine and deep-clean solution |
| Commercial tile or stone detergent | Yes, rinse well | Inglenook Tile |
| Diluted white vinegar | Unsealed brick only, for specific stains | Chief Bricks: avoid on sealed brick; rinse thoroughly |
| Acidic or harsh alkaline cleaners | No | Chief Bricks: can discolor brick, damage grout and wear away coatings |
| Waxes and oil-based polishes | No | Chief Bricks: can make brick slick and are hard to remove |
Never mix ammonia and bleach. Where the brick or sealer maker names a maintenance product, follow that.
How Do You Remove Grease, Mold and Efflorescence?
Match the fix to the mark and the finish, and test a hidden spot first. Chief Bricks lists a different treatment for grease, mold, efflorescence, rust and hard-water marks.
| Mark | Source guidance |
|---|---|
| Grease and oil | Chief Bricks: baking soda and water paste, left about 15 minutes, scrubbed gently with a soft brush, then wiped clean with a damp cloth |
| Mold and mildew | Chief Bricks: equal parts white vinegar and water on unsealed brick only, a few minutes, scrub, rinse thoroughly, ventilate |
| Efflorescence (white powder) | Chief Bricks: scrub with a dry, stiff nylon brush; if residue remains, a small amount of plain water, then dry fully |
| Rust | Chief Bricks: lemon juice and salt paste on unsealed brick, a few minutes, scrub gently, rinse and dry right away |
| Hard-water marks | Chief Bricks: diluted vinegar rinse on unsealed brick; on sealed brick, a non-acidic mineral-deposit cleaner, then rinse and dry |
These treatments are general guidance, not a warranty position for your floor. Use ventilation and gloves, test a hidden spot, and ask the installer if the finish is unknown.
What Damages Brick Floors?
Wire brushes, acids, soaking water, skipped rinses and wax cause most brick problems. Chief Bricks lists these as the common mistakes.
- Wire brushes and steel wool. They are too abrasive and can scratch or gouge brick, per Chief Bricks.
- Acidic or harsh alkaline cleaners. Chief Bricks says they can discolor brick, damage grout and wear away protective coatings.
- Too much water. Soaking can cause moisture stains, mildew and weakened grout over time, per Chief Bricks.
- Skipping the rinse. Chief Bricks says soap residue attracts dirt and makes the floor look dirty again quickly.
- Cleaning an unsealed floor like a sealed one. Inglenook Tile says to seal brick and other unglazed floors before washing, because unsealed brick is porous.
On sealing, Chief Bricks says to deep clean and dry the floor completely first, and that most interior brick floors need resealing every one to three years depending on traffic and sealer type. Follow the sealer maker's drying and cure times.
Which Machines Work on Brick Floors?
None of the sources used here approve a specific machine on brick, so treat this as a sizing guide and confirm the brush, pad and water flow with the brick or sealer maker. The sources' limits translate into a short rule: a soft nylon brush, low solution flow, small passes and a squeegee that recovers water fully.
| Floor size or task | Machine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restrooms, tight corners, spot work | Dapper Supply DP-HFS1240 | 17 in brush and 17.5 in squeegee, so it scrubs and recovers in confined spaces |
| Small dining rooms, corridors, offices | Dapper Supply DP-WPFS1204 | 15 in brush and 17 in squeegee |
| Larger halls and open floors | Dapper Supply DP-WBFS1218 | 20 in brush and 31.5 in squeegee. How to size a commercial floor scrubber |
| Mid-size rooms | Floor machine such as the Mercury Cleanmaster TS-19 | 19 in apron, dual-speed 175/300 RPM. Pair with a wet vacuum for pickup. See how to use a floor buffer. |
Brushes are in machine brushes, pads in floor pads and drivers, and pickup tools in commercial vacuums. Steam is a separate question: Chief Bricks says never to use a steam cleaner on waxed brick or brick sealed with a topical acrylic sealer, and to test a hidden area first on penetrating sealers. For the full operating routine, see how to use a floor scrubber.
Are Brick Floors Slippery When Wet?
Any floor can be, especially with water or a cleaner film on the surface. Residue, wax and standing water are the controllable causes, so use the label rate, rinse and dry. OSHA requires workroom floors to be kept clean and, to the extent feasible, dry (29 CFR 1910.22(a)(2)).
The National Floor Safety Institute publishes wet-traction resources (NFSI). If a clean floor still feels slick, ask a floor-safety specialist about traction testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to clean brick floors?
Sweep or vacuum, scrub small sections with a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft-bristle brush, rinse with clean water and dry fully. Avoid acids, wire brushes and soaking mops.
Can you use vinegar on brick floors?
Chief Bricks says diluted vinegar can help with some stains only on unsealed brick, and must be rinsed well. Avoid it entirely on sealed brick, where acid can damage the sealer.
Can you steam clean a brick floor?
Chief Bricks says never to steam waxed brick or brick with a topical acrylic sealer. Penetrating sealers generally hold up better, but test a hidden area first.
How do you know if brick is sealed?
Put a few drops of water on a hidden spot. If it beads up the brick is likely sealed; if it soaks in and darkens the brick, it is unsealed.
How do you remove white powder from brick?
That is efflorescence. Chief Bricks says to scrub it with a dry, stiff nylon brush, then use a small amount of plain water if needed, and let the brick dry completely.
How often should brick floors be resealed?
Chief Bricks says most interior brick floors need resealing every one to three years, depending on traffic and the sealer type.
Related Guides
- How to Clean Travertine Floors
- How to Clean Slate Floors
- How to Clean Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Floors
- How to Clean Restaurant Floors
- How to Use a Floor Buffer
- How to Use a Floor Scrubber: Step-by-Step Auto Scrubber Guide
- How to Clean Terracotta Floors