How to Grind Cement Floors

Vacuum the floors to remove all dust and debris. Fill a bucket with dishwashing soap and water. Dip a sponge into the mixture and scrub the concrete. Rinse the sponge and wipe away the soap residue. Allow the concrete to dry.

Cut plastic sheeting to fit over the vents and doorways in the room, using scissors. Tape the plastic over the openings with low-tack painter's tape to prevent dust from traveling all over your house. Open windows and doors to provide ventilation to the outside.

Attach a diamond sanding pad to the hand-held sander.

Turn the hand-held grinder. Slowly lower the grinder and press firmly into the concrete. Move the grinder in a back-and-forth and an up-and-down motion. Continue polishing until it begins to shine. Continue across the entire floor.

Vacuum the area to remove the majority of the sanding dust. Wet a towel and wipe the floors to remove small particles that couldn't be picked up by the vacuum.

Pour concrete sealer into a paint pan. Roll a ¼-inch-nap roller in the sealer and apply the concrete sealant to your floors. Apply two coats of sealer.