You know that different flooring requires different care, but with all the flooring materials available for commercial spaces today, it can be a challenge to keep track. We’ve created a quick-reference commercial flooring maintenance guide to ensure you and your staff have the information you need to clean and preserve the different flooring materials found in your facility.
Commercial Carpet
In-house maintenance: Dirt left in carpet can eventually cause staining or abrasions to the carpet fibers that permanently affect its appearance, so regular vacuuming is key.
- Vacuum commercial carpet daily, especially high-traffic areas.
- Use vacuums that have earned Gold Level Certification from the Carpet and Rug Institute.
- Clean spills promptly with a manufacturer-recommended spot treatment. We recommend Spot Shot and a good carpet agitator brush.
Professional maintenance: Professional carpet cleaning methods use detergents, moisture, and agitation to provide a deeper level of cleaning than vacuuming alone.
- Schedule low-moisture encapsulation cleaning between hot water extraction cleanings. These interim cleanings could take place once a month or a few times a year depending on the traffic level in your facility.
- Schedule hot water extraction (HWE) deep cleaning at least once per year, more with higher traffic.
- Ensure your professional maintenance schedule and methods meet the requirements of the carpet manufacturer’s warranty.
Upholstery And Textiles
In-house maintenance: Most upholstery is treated with fabric protectors that slow the absorption of spills, so prompt attention will keep your textiles looking their best.
- Vacuum furniture weekly to prevent dirt from embedding into the textile fibers.
- Turn and fluff cushions after cleaning to ensure even wear and extend the life of your furniture. You can also rotate identical cushions between pieces of furniture placed in areas that may see different levels of use.
- Blot spills promptly (never rub) and treat with a manufacturer-approved spot cleaner applied with a soft brush if needed. Always test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area first.
Professional maintenance: As with carpet, professional cleaning methods use detergents, moisture, and agitation to provide a deep cleaning of your upholstered pieces.
- Schedule professional upholstery cleaning once a year to remove embedded or built-up soil.
LVT And VCT
In-house maintenance: Debris on vinyl floors can grind into the surface, scratching and damaging the material, so daily sweeping is a necessary part of your commercial flooring maintenance routine.
- Sweep floors daily, especially high-traffic areas.
- Mop regularly with a manufacturer-recommended neutral cleaner.
- Clean up spills promptly.
Professional maintenance: LVT and VCT floors should be periodically cleaned with an auto scrubber. Your professional cleaner can also buff or polish the floors to correct light damage and may recommend additional restorative steps as needed.
- Schedule professional LVT/VCT cleaning at least once a year or more frequently for high-traffic areas.
- LVT can be spray buffed to reduce the appearance of scuffs/scratches and restore shine.
- VCT will periodically require additional coats of polish to protect the floor. Occasional restorative maintenance may require stripping and reapplying polish.
Tile And Grout
In-house maintenance: Avoid acids and bleach, as well as wax or oil-based cleaners as these can damage or discolor tile and grout. Abrasive scrubbers and scouring pads can also scratch the tile’s surface, so opt for gentle cleaning methods and neutral products.
- Sweep floors daily, especially high-traffic areas.
- Damp mop weekly with a neutral cleaner. Rinse with clean water to avoid streaking.
- Address spills promptly with a manufacturer-approved spot cleaner.
Professional maintenance: Even the most low-maintenance tile and grout products will show a buildup of dirt, grease, and product residue over time.
- Schedule professional tile cleaning at least once per year to remove any oils, mineral deposits, mold, and soap scum from the tile and grout.
- Seal grout annually or every six months in high-traffic areas to prevent staining and discoloration.
Natural Stone
In-house maintenance: Natural stone is a porous and sometimes soft material, so prompt and regular cleaning is necessary to avoid staining, scratching, and etching.
- Dust mop daily to remove dirt and debris.
- Mop regularly with a manufacturer-recommended neutral cleaner. Rinse with clean water and dry to avoid a streaky film.
- Do not use products containing abrasives or acids as these can scratch and etch the stone surface.
- Blot spills immediately.
Professional maintenance: Professional cleaning and stain removal methods vary depending on the type of stone and the type of stain. Hire a certified professional to get the best possible results without damaging your commercial floors.
- Schedule professional stone cleaning at least once a year or more frequently for high-traffic areas.
- Schedule professional stain removal or restorative services as needed.
Terrazzo
In-house maintenance: Terrazzo floors are polished and sealed to protect against staining, but daily soil and stains should still be cleaned promptly to maintain the floor’s appearance.
- Dust mop daily to remove dirt and debris.
- Clean up spills promptly, before they dry or soak into the floor.
- Mop with a manufacturer-recommended neutral cleaner 1-2 times per week depending on traffic. Keep the floor wet during cleaning and rinse with clean water to avoid a streaky film. Once dry, buff with a dry brush.
- Clean heavily soiled floors with a mechanical scrubber and neutral cleaner.
- Seal floors with a manufacturer-recommended slip-resistant acrylic sealer. For a high sheen, additional finish coats may be applied for weekly buffing.
Professional maintenance: With regular maintenance, terrazzo is durable and typically requires less professional cleaning and repairs than other flooring types.
- Schedule professional cleaning of terrazzo floors at least once a year.
- Twice per year, schedule a professional to strip off and reapply all sealers and finish coats.
Use our commercial flooring maintenance guide to create a plan that will protect and extend all the floors in your facility. Contact us today to find out more about how Reliable Floor Care can help meet all your professional maintenance needs.