Commercial hard floor cleaning is a necessary part of facility maintenance, especially in heavily-trafficked and used spaces. Floor cleanings, both daily and deep cleanings, play a vital role in maintaining the facility value and keeping staff and visitors safe.
VCT Floor Cleaning
VCT, or vinyl composition tile, flooring is one of the most common commercial hard floors because of their durability and longevity. Unfortunately, these floors can lose their shine and look dirty if they are not deep-cleaned. The build-up of dirt and grime can also make these floors hazardous for employees and visitors.
Regular Maintenance
The amount of commercial hard floor cleaning for VCT floors depends on the amount of daily foot traffic. Heavily-trafficked VCT floors need frequent maintenance throughout the day and a daily wet mopping. In lightly-trafficked areas, facility managers should set a regular schedule of daily dust mopping and a wet mop twice a week.
During these cleanings, particularly wet mopping, signage should be posted so employees and visitors are aware of the risk and, if possible, can steer clear of the area. Whenever possible, a mopping with a wet mop should be performed during low staffing times or when the area is empty. (If needed, facility managers should consider hiring a cleaning company available during off-hours.)
Deep Cleaning
Beyond regular dry and wet mopping, VCT flooring needs to be stripped and waxed every 6-9 months. At a minimum, a VCT deep cleaning should be scheduled annually and more often for high-trafficked areas. A deep VCT floor cleaning removes remaining layers of wax, as well as dirt and grime ground into the wax. A local commercial floor cleaning company then buffs VCT flooring and applies protective layers of wax. When completed, these tile floors look shiny and new.
Wood & Laminate Floor Cleaning
Wood and laminate floors give a commercial space and upscale look. With the right maintenance and commercial hard floor cleaning, both of these floors can look attractive throughout the life of the floor and last for a long time.
Regular Maintenance
Wood and laminate floors require regular and deep cleanings to maintain their look and extend the life of the floor. Both types of floors have a high risk of water damage from standing water; owners and managers should take care to clean up spills promptly. Commercial wood floors are extremely durable, but can also be damaged by gravel and other debris.
To minimize the risk of damage, wood floors should be swept or dry mopped as often as needed. At the very least, commercial wood floors require a daily sweeping. These floors can also be mopped with a water and a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer, but the cleaners should take care not to leave standing water and should dry the floor with fans.
Deep Cleaning
A deep dirt extraction is a necessary commercial hard floor cleaning task that keeps wood floors looking new. Professional cleaners can perform this task during off-hours or a scheduled shutdown. The extraction removes embedded dirt, allergens, and debris from the floor and any cracks. Cleaners also used advanced air circulation equipment to prevent damaging the floors.
How to Keep Commercial Floors Looking New
- Place mats and rugs by all exterior doors to prevent mud, gravel, and water from being tracked in and damaging hard floors.
- In high-traffic areas, such as hallways and lobbies, rugs should be strategically placed to extend the life of commercial hard flooring and minimize the risk of slips and falls.
- Businesses should use caution when placing rubber-backed mats on commercial wood floors. These mats can damage flooring, especially wood and laminate flooring.
- Maintain a regular schedule of sweeping and vacuuming commercial flooring in between deep floor cleanings, preferably when these areas are at low occupancy or vacant.
- When utilizing in-house staff for cleaning, companies should utilize abrasive cleaners or products that are not approved by the manufacturer to avoid voiding the warranty and damaging the flooring.
