HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR FLOORING IN HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS

Companies can face a lot of foot traffic throughout the day. Dirt, mud and other items can be tracked inside quickly and take a toll on your floors. Carpets can look dirty and matted, while hard-surface floors can appear worn and scuffed. Not only will flooring look dingy, debris build-up can cause permanent damage, including scratches, scuffs and stains, that could tarnish your company’s image.

To keep your business looking its best, use these high-traffic flooring maintenance tips from the experts at ServiceMaster Clean.

Clean Routinely

Routine cleaning at least once a day is key to ensuring the longevity of your floors. High-traffic areas like entrances and lobbies may need to be cleaned every few hours, especially during periods of inclement weather. For example, if you live in an area where roads and sidewalks are regularly salted during the winters, then people are going to be tracking in that salt on their shoes and boots. That salt can quickly damage floors, especially wooden and vinyl ones, and should be cleaned up as often as possible.

Remember that [different office flooring options[(blog/choose-the-best-office-flooring-ideas-options-for-you) will need to be cleaned differently. Hard-surface floors like hardwood or vinyl should be swept every few hours to remove dirt and debris. After business hours, hard flooring may need to be mopped to clean and sanitize the area. On the other hand, carpets in high-traffic areas should be vacuumed at least once per day to effectively remove set-in debris. Since carpets tend to hold more dirt than wood, vinyl or tile floors, make sure the type of carpet in your facility can stand up to heavy foot traffic.

Use Mats And Rugs

Placing mats and rugs in high-traffic areas can help prevent floor damage in the following ways:

• Catch large amounts of dirt, grime and puddles before they are tracked around the facility.
• Protect against scuff marks and scratches from salt and snow, dirt, sand or other substances.
• Help employees and customers wipe off their shoes before entering the building.

When putting down mats and rugs, make sure that they are secure and lay flat. A loose or bent mat can be a tripping hazard. If you don’t already have mats near your entryways and other high-traffic areas, look for mats or rugs that can be fastened to the floor for a secure fit. In addition, mats and rugs should be cleaned or changed out on a regular basis, at least once a month (depending on weekly traffic).

Deep Clean Once A Year

While regular cleaning can help to maintain your flooring, deeper cleans should be performed at least annually. Annual deep cleanings can help your office’s floors in the following ways:

• Extend your floor’s longevity
• Restore your flooring to like-new conditions
• Help maintain and improve the cleanliness and appearance of your floors

Let the professionals at ServiceMaster Clean help your floors shine. Our commercial floor cleaning services include expert advice on the best floor cleaning methods, periodic maintenance schedules to refresh your floors and specific cleanliness protocols to clean a complete range of flooring. Contact us today to learn how we can create a comprehensive cleaning program that uses our advanced technologies, innovative equipment and decades of experience to fit your company’s needs.