Preventing and Managing Stains on Commercial Floor
The floors in your business endure high traffic daily and are one of the first things customers notice. Keeping them pristine requires implementing cleaning methods specific to each flooring material. Follow these dos and don’ts when it comes to cleaning and maintaining various commercial floors.
Consider the Tools used.
There are a large variety of tools used during the upkeep of these surfaces. These include:
- Vacuum Cleaners: Ideal for carpets, these devices efficiently and gently eliminate stray particles without causing damage.
- Buffers/Polishers: Floor buffers play a key role in restoring the gloss of tiles after a thorough cleaning process.
- Carpet Extractors: Essential for areas with carpets, these devices provide deeper cleaning compared to standard vacuum cleaners.
- Sweepers and Auto-Scrubbers: In situations where space is limited and manual work is impractical, sweepers or auto-scrubbers prove to be the most effective option.
In addition to routine upkeep practices like vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping, some flooring types—including tile floors—benefit from occasional stripping and waxing. To apply new coats of wax that restore gloss and protect against wear and tear, the previous layers of wax must be removed.
Know how to maintain your floors
Each type of flooring has different strategies of cleaning and requirements.
Hardwood floors
Never wet-mop hardwood floors as excess moisture causes irreversible damage. Instead, dry clean only using either a microfiber mop or vacuum with a soft brush nozzle. Microfiber attracts and traps dust without pushing it around, and vacuums easily reach into crevices.
For stuck-on dirt or stains, use a cleaner. Gently rub the area, then dry immediately with a clean towel. Alternately, you can use vinegar and distilled water. The acid in vinegar dissolves grime without stripping finishes.
Increase shine by occasionally buffing with a specialty wood floor polish formulated for polyurethane coatings. Use an applicator pad and work in the direction of the boards. Avoid wax polishes which can build up over time and attract dirt.
Install protective mats at exterior doors to limit tracked-in grit and soil. Small debris acts like sandpaper, slowly eroding hardwood’s protective finish. Place soft pads beneath furniture legs and never slide furniture across the floor to prevent scratching.
Concrete floors
Sweep or vacuum concrete floors daily, occasionally using a power washer for deep cleaning of heavy debris, oil, and grease stains. Acidic cleaners can damage sealed concrete, so use alkaline-pH detergents instead.
After cleaning, always double rinse with clean water to remove detergent residue. Let floors air dry for 24 hours to prevent moisture intrusion. Then, apply a penetrating sealant, which soaks into pores rather than leaving a surface film subject to peeling.
For polished concrete, specialized maintenance products are available. Like wood floors, buffing occasionally with a high-speed burnisher and impregnating sealant enhances the floor’s sheen.
Laminate floors
Just like hardwood floors, you are not supposed to wet-mop laminate planks, as moisture ruins the fiberboard inner core. Dry sweep, dust mop and vacuum instead. For deeper cleaning, use a specialized laminate cleaner spray. Always note, some brands prohibit any wet cleaning, so read labels closely before using.
Spray cleaner onto a microfiber mop rather than directly onto flooring. Wipe planks using very light pressure and immediately dry with a clean towel. This prevents liquid from seeping into seams, which can warp and separate planks.
Use fabric-lined casters and furniture cups beneath chair and table legs to prevent scratching if moved. Laminate is durable with proper care, but the surface layer could scratch easily.
Implementing material-specific cleaning and protection methods makes maintaining commercial floors much easier. The extra diligence pays off through increased lifespan, safety, and aesthetic appeal.