Commercial flooring is designed for excess use, able to withstand heavy foot traffic over the course of years. But because it’s trodden on so often, it gets dirty quickly, and so requires regular cleaning to stay in top condition.
Here’s our guide to commercial floor maintenance, providing you with an overview of how to clean each type of flooring, as well as fix any ugly stains.
How to clean vinyl floors
Commercial vinyl flooring needs to be cleaned daily to keep it in good condition. You’ll need to vacuum up dust and dirt to start with, and then use a damp mop with a neutral pH floor cleaner, being sure to rinse the mop often to remove any scratchy particles.
Make sure the mop isn’t sopping wet because pooled water can stain vinyl.
You will also want to avoid abrasive cleaners at all costs, because they can easily scratch the vinyl’s surface.
If you’re trying to treat a stain, you’ll need to do the following:
- Remove any solid material or liquid that is part of the stain.
- Scrub it with a strong cleaner.
- Rub the area with a solution of water and bleach, using a 10 to 1 ratio.
- Rub the area with an alcohol solution.
How to clean concrete floors
These instructions are intended for sealed concrete floors (the kind most common in commercial flooring). If you’re looking for a way to clean unsealed external concrete flooring, a pressure washer will do the trick.
To clean sealed concrete floors, the first thing to do is remove dust with a microfibre mop or a static broom. Next, use a mild cleaning solution and a damp microfibre mop to remove the remaining dirt, being sure not to leave pools of water on the surface.
To clean cracks, you can use a soft-bristled brush and a mild cleanser.
Best way to clean carpet tiles
Carpet tiles pick up a fair amount of dirt, so it’s recommended to clean at least twice a week. To do so, you’ll just need to vacuum to get rid of any dust and dirt, making sure to cover each tile as thoroughly as possible.
Carpet tiles can be cleaned more thoroughly with a pre-spray followed by the application of dry carpet crystals/powder using a rotary machine. This is then removed using a commercial vacuum.
If some kind of sticky bright food has been spilt on your commercial carpet tiles, here’s how to clean it:
- Blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel until the excess food/liquid is lifted. Never rub as it will cause further staining.
- Use a mild cleaning solution to treat the area, blotting as you go.
How to clean tile floors
As with most other types of commercial flooring, tiles first need a once over with a vacuum or broom to pick up any excess dust and dirt. Once done, you can use an all-purpose cleaner to mop it, not having to worry about the mop being over-wet because tiles are fully sealed. It’s recommended to change the mop water regularly to ensure you’re not making the tiles dirtier than before.
To clean the grout, you can spray on a bleach solution, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then rinse it off with water. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this!
How to clean laminate floors
To clean laminate floors, you’ll first need to vacuum or sweep up the excess dust or dirt. Be sure to use your vacuum’s “carpet mode” while doing this to avoid any scrapes.
Next, mix a mild cleaner with hot (but not boiling) water, and apply it to your floor using a mop that is damp, not sopping wet. Laminate flooring doesn’t do well with excess water, so it’s crucial that the mop is only damp.
For more info, check out our article on caring for your laminate flooring.
How to clean hardwood floors
As usual, use a vacuum, broom, or electrostatic mop to collect dust and dirt from the floor’s surface. Try to avoid vacuums with rotating heads, as they can scratch timber easily. Once done, use a damp mop with a mild cleaning solution to clean the floor’s surface, again, ensuring that pools of water aren’t sitting on the surface for long.
For a more thorough explanation, check out our article on Timber Flooring Maintenance.
