It’s not easy keeping your floors clean and looking their best – but sometimes it can be harder than you think. Many business owners make the same mistakes when cleaning their commercial floors, leading to an uneven finish and wasted time and money.
Here, we list the top 7 most common mistakes in commercial floor cleaning – so you can avoid them in the future!
Contents
Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
With a wide variety of cleaning products available, it can be difficult to choose the right one. Even if you have all the right cleaning materials and equipment, using the wrong product can cause adverse reactions in some floor coverings. For example, strong alkalines have been known to lighten the color of resilient floors.
To make sure you are choosing the best cleaning product for your flooring conditions, it is important to research and understand any manufactures’ recommendations regarding care and maintenance. Additionally, when selecting a product make sure that it is recommended for use on other commercially rated material types as well; tile floors are irrelevant if you are caring for carpeted surfaces.
If you are unsure about what cleaning products to use, It’s better if you ask for advice from an expert cleaner, a professional cleaner is well-versed and well-aware of the proper and necessary cleaning products to use in any job.
Neglecting to Prepare the Floor
Floor cleaning should always start with a dry-dusting sweep of the area to remove any loose materials and debris. Neglecting this step can cause dirt and grime to become trapped in or under floor mats, cracks in tile, or other components of the surface being cleaned. Depending on the type of floor, mats and rugs may need to be removed prior to sweeping. Doing a thorough sweeping job will ensure a more effective and efficient cleaning overall.
Using Too Much Water
One of the most common mistakes in commercial floor cleaning is using too much water. This can cause water damage, diminish the life of the floors, and create a slipping hazard.
To avoid this issue, use a scrubber drier machine designed with special brush systems to efficiently clean floors. These machines are designed to apply just enough water pressure to maximize floor cleaning while minimizing water usage and protecting from water damage.
For the best results,
- clean tiles with hotter temperatures and higher pressure for more stubborn dirt and floor types requiring deeper cleaning
- but never apply more than necessary for optimal results without risking damage to the floors.
Not Rinsing the Floor Thoroughly
One of the major mistakes made during commercial floor cleaning is not rinsing the floor thoroughly. Rinsing is an important step in floor cleaning and ensures that all of the dirt, grime, and residue is thoroughly removed from the surface. Without proper rinsing, soap can remain on the floor which can leave a sticky residue and make it difficult to properly seal or apply further protective finishes without a thorough cleaning.
To help ensure that no soap or residue remains, the floors should be rinsed with a high-pressure hose to remove any remaining grime or dirt, then followed with a mop and bucket to remove any excess water. After that, it’s important to allow the floors to dry completely before applying any further protective coatings or sealants. Properly rinsing your floors is essential for maintaining cleanliness and protecting your floors from long-term wear and tear.
Not Removing Stains and Spots
Stains and spots not only detract from the overall appearance of your flooring but can often be indicative of a deeper problem. Neglecting to address such issues can end up causing extensive damage or permanently discoloring the floor if not properly dealt with.
In some cases, spots and stains on commercial-grade floors may be chemical related and require professional assistance to clean. Failing to contact a specialist can allow an increase in damage-causing microorganisms, further contributing to discoloration and possible health hazards related to poor floor hygiene.
When diagnosing surface-level stain issues on commercial-grade floors, it is important to use the right cleaning materials for each type of material. Cleaning solutions suited for one substance may not always be right for another, so research is essential before beginning the cleaning process in order to avoid permanent staining or discoloration as well as any further damage caused by using wrong cleaning products. Additionally, special attention should be given when dealing with older floors or those treated with waxes or sealants which require specialized maintenance due to their fragile surface nature.
Ultimately, it is best practice to remove stains before they become fully grounded into flooring surfaces in order restore both the appearance and function of the floors in question.
Not Protecting the Floor
One of the most common mistakes people make when cleaning commercial floors is neglecting to protect them from damage during normal use. This includes not properly protecting the floor from dirt and liquids, as well as not setting up mats or carpet runners at a building’s entryways and other high-traffic areas.
Mats in particular are a great way to minimize the amount of dirt and debris that enters the building, helping to keep your floors cleaner for longer. Make sure you have mats at all entries, both inside and outside, as well as in any areas likely to be wet – such as showers, saunas, and water fountains – so slips can be avoided.
Carpet runners should also be placed along corridors or hallways where traffic could be particularly heavy.
Not Having a Proper Maintenance Plan
Without a proper maintenance plan, your commercial floor cleaning strategy can quickly become problematic. A good commercial floor care and maintenance plan should be put in place from the start to ensure that your floors remain clean, safe, and in good condition.
Your maintenance plan should include:
- Regular sweeping, mopping, and buffing, as well as daily spot cleaning on tough areas.
- A periodic deep clean to remove dirt and grime that has been tracked into your facility.
- Scheduling regular inspections of floors, carpets, walls, and other surfaces regularly, to prevent dirt build-up as well as identify any potential damage or wear in advance.
Additionally, you should make sure that all of your employees are aware of the cleaning procedures that need to be followed during their shifts so they can help keep floors clean between scheduled cleanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the common mistakes to avoid when cleaning commercial floors?
Some of the most common mistakes to avoid when cleaning commercial floors include: not vacuuming often enough, using the wrong type of cleaning solution, not cleaning up spills quickly, using the wrong type of cleaning equipment, using too much water, not mopping regularly, and not drying the floor after cleaning.
What type of cleaning solution should be used for commercial floors?
The type of cleaning solution used for commercial floors should depend on the type of flooring. For example, if the flooring is hardwood, then a mild detergent solution may be used. If the flooring is tile, then a mild acid-based cleaner is recommended. It is important to check the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the best cleaning solution for the particular floor.
How often should commercial floors be vacuumed?
Commercial floors should be vacuumed at least once a week, and more often if the floor is heavily trafficked. Vacuuming helps to remove dirt and debris that can accumulate on the floor and may otherwise be more difficult to remove with mopping.
Conclusion
In conclusion, keeping floor surfaces clean and looking their best is essential for any commercial space. To maintain floors that are both attractive and long-lasting, it’s important for floor-cleaning decision-makers to avoid the seven most common mistakes discussed here.
By taking care to make sure that the cleaning process meets the specific needs of your flooring material, monitoring moisture levels, keeping up with regular maintenance, and knowing when to use professional services, you can ensure that your floors are always spotless, safe and presentable.