Commercial Floor Maintenance & Cleaning Guide
Commercial floor maintenance and cleaning is a critical aspect of proper facility maintenance. But with so many different flooring choices and cleaning tools to choose from, how can cleaning professionals and facility managers best approach this important job?
Guide to Commercial Floor Care
Flooring can often seem like a set-and-forget amenity that requires attention during installation, but little care afterwards. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Floors endure constant wear and tear, with scuffs, marks, and cracks adding up quickly. Without proper maintenance and cleaning, they can make your buildings and sites appear outdated, or even unsafe.
That’s why floor maintenance is critical to protect your investment. Well-maintained floors improve safety and extend the lifespan of your flooring, maximizing your budget. Floor care is also essential for a healthy, safe environment. For spaces like healthcare facilities, hospitals, or schools, the right flooring choices and cleaning routines are key to maintaining a clean and sanitary space.
With the right equipment and know-how, your floors can be a shining example of how mastering the small details can make a big impact on your business.
This guide will cover the essentials of commercial floor cleaning and care, from understanding the various flooring types you may have, to choosing the right floor maintenance equipment and solutions to keep your floors in top condition and your investment protected.
Overview of Commercial Floor Care
Maintaining commercial floors differs significantly from common residential cleaning. With larger surface areas and heavier foot traffic, commercial flooring requires industrial-grade commercial floor cleaning equipment designed to handle these specialty needs. For example, the needs of a commercial kitchen floor cleaner may differ significantly from those of a custodian tackling commercial warehouse floor cleaning.
Outside of deep cleaning, your flooring will also require routine maintenance to ensure safety, along with preserving the appearance and function of your floors. The experts at Sunbelt Rentals can match you with the right solutions for your needs.
Commercial Floor Maintenance & Cleaning Equipment by Floor Type
Commercial floor maintenance begins by identifying your floor’s surface material. There are a variety of surface materials you may encounter, and you may have multiple flooring types in one facility. Each flooring type presents unique care requirements. Remember, you can always reach out to the experts at Sunbelt Rentals for help selecting the correct tools and commercial floor cleaning supplies. Below, we’ll examine the most common types of flooring you’re likely to handle.
Commercial Carpet Cleaning
Commercial carpeting is sturdy enough for heavy traffic, but soft enough for everyday comfort. Regular vacuuming is essential to maintain a clean and professional appearance. For a deeper cleaning, you’ll want to complete a thorough vacuuming, then use heavy-duty industrial cleaners known as “extractors”. Extractors are designed for the larger floor sizes and tougher dirt and stains you’ll encounter with commercial applications. Extractors combine hot water and cleaning solutions for a more in-depth clean.
Cleaning Industrial Tile Flooring
Tile flooring is a durable, customizable, and low-cost option ideal for high-traffic areas. There are a few types of tile flooring, including ceramic and vinyl composition. Each type requires a different cleaning approach. Ceramic tiles benefit from stronger cleaning solutions and brushes that can reach grout lines, while you should avoid harsh chemicals on vinyl tiles as they may strip the finish. Routine mopping keeps tile flooring looking its best, though opting for a push-behind mechanized scrubber is far more efficient and delivers better results. Autonomous self-driving floor scrubbers from Sunbelt Rentals simplify this process further, helping you save time, effort, and payroll.
Commercial Concrete Floor Cleaning
Concrete floors are tough, long-lasting, and able to stand up to heavy loads and work conditions. However, they require specific maintenance to preserve their finish. Regular sweeping or mopping is important to prevent dust buildup, which can dull the finish and put your concrete at risk of scratching. Since concrete floors reflect light and help brighten a space, having a high shine means you will need less overall lighting. To maintain a smooth and polished surface, grinding and burnishing may be required periodically.
Industrial Vinyl Floor Cleaning
Industrial Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) flooring is a cost-effective option offering high durability and lower costs. While VCT provides comfort and sound absorption advantages over harder surfaces, its maintenance needs are more intensive than other flooring types. VCT requires regular waxing to maintain its protective finish. This includes periodic stripping of old wax using specialized equipment, thorough cleaning of the exposed surface, and reapplication of fresh wax layers. Auto scrubbers and burnishers are essential for maintaining the wax finish between stripping cycles, while specialized stripping machines are needed for complete wax removal. Without this regular maintenance schedule, VCT can quickly show wear and require premature replacement, as damaged areas cannot be refinished.
Essential Commercial Floor Care Equipment
Sunbelt Rentals offers a comprehensive inventory of floor care equipment rentals designed for every type of commercial floor care.
From basic uprights to wide-area models for cleaning large commercial spaces, vacuums are the first step in general floor care and maintenance. Options include corded and cordless models, with heavy duty wet/dry vacuums available for handing debris or liquids.
An essential floor cleaning machine, floor sweepers quickly remove dirt and basic debris. Both walk-behind and ride-on models are available in a variety of sizes to fit any space.
Extractors use water, cleaning solutions, and powerful suction to remove stains and deep clean carpet fibers. They are essential tools for large commercial areas.
For a deeper cleaning beyond sweeping, floor scrubbers efficiently handle heavy-duty jobs. Walk-behind and ride-on models are available in a variety of cleaning widths suited for facilities of all sizes.
But for optimal commercial cleaning, you’ll want to consider autonomous floor scrubbers, which enable operators to clean multiple spaces at once with minimal supervision.
If your floor is looking worn beyond what general cleaning can handle, you may need a floor buffing machine. Buffers clean and strip floors, removing grime buildup along with wax and other coatings. They can also clean tile and grout flooring.
Floor burnishers may look similar to buffers, but they play a distinct role in your floor care process. Burnishers polish and shine your finished floors, though they can also remove a variety of floor coverings. They move forward and backward, with a high RPM speed allowing them to effectively remove and polish.
Floor grinders smooth, clean, prepare, and polish concrete, hardwood, and stone floors. They are also versatile tools that can clean, level, and smooth floors before polishing. Wet grinding models and internal vacuum units control dust for cleaner operation.
General Floor Cleaning Procedures
1. Sweeping and Debris Removal
Commercial floor care starts with removing dirt, dust, and general debris with a vacuum or sweeper.
2. Deeper Cleaning
Use automated scrubbers, carpet extractors, or floor buffers to thoroughly clean embedded dirt, difficult stains, accumulated grime, and more at a deeper level.
3. Prepare and Finish
Next, burnishers and/or floor grinders can prepare and finish your floor for a clean, polished, and professional look.
4. Routine Maintenance
After thoroughly cleaning your floors, a regular schedule of commercial flooring maintenance and care will protect your investment, increase safety, and keep your facility looking its best. Routine sweeping and mopping, along with automated scrubbers, will make this an easy and routine part of your floor maintenance.
Floor Cleaning & Care Solutions with Sunbelt Rentals
Proper commercial floor care starts with the right equipment and expertise. Reliable equipment solutions and support will help you keep your floors clean and protect your investment for the long term.
GET SUPPORT
Contact the Sunbelt Rentals Floor Care team today to get expert advice on cleaning, polishing, and maintaining your floors.
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