The Importance of Floor Maintenance

We all learn not to judge a book by its cover, and yet we’re also all very aware of the importance of first impressions. Your business cannot risk making a poor first impression, which is why you probably take office cleanliness very seriously – but how much have you considered the importance of floor maintenance? Whether your office is floored with carpet, wood flooring, or some other kind of hard surface, proper maintenance can significantly improve the appearance of your work environment. Let’s take a moment to discuss some tips for floor maintenance that will help keep your offices looking clean and professional.

Carpet

Carpet manufacturers recommend regular cleaning from a professional at least every year to year and a half. While you may be tempted to do the carpet cleaning yourself, it’s not ideal as most quick re-soiling is the result of improper cleaning methods. Older carpets tend to suffer from re-soiling more often than newer carpets making it even more advisable to seek cleaning services from a professional. Ideally, you want to have your carpets cleaned on a regular schedule, but as soon as you notice stains or soiling. It’s also important to remember that the best carpet cleaning results will come from using the proper equipment and cleaners – so always work with a professional and you’ll save time and money in the long run.

Wood

Similar to carpet, the best wood cleaning results come from using the proper equipment and cleaners. For example, you should never use abrasive or harsh chemicals for cleaning wood as you’ll risk ruining the finish of your floors. Unfortunately, wood floors are among the most susceptible to wear and tear over time; no matter how carefully you are to care for your wood floors, you’re likely to see scratches and wear eventually. However, there are ways to maintain your wood floors to reduce or remove the appearance of wear, namely recoating. Recoating can usually be done in one day if it is done regularly, and though it may seem more costly, waiting for more severe signs of damage can make the recoating process significantly more expensive and difficult. You also want to prevent damage to your wood floors by adding protective pads to the legs of furniture on your floors, and considering laying mats or temporary carpets in high traffic areas.

Hard Surfaces

With respect to maintaining natural or man-made hard floorings, there are different tips for different types of floor. In commercial or industrial settings, concrete flooring is an inexpensive (but unattractive option), but it must be sealed so that dirt, oil, and grease cannot penetrate the surface and cause discolouration.

Brick flooring is usually made from clay, sand, lime, or concrete. Regular sweeping and washing with a neutral cleaner is important. You do not usually want to seal brick floors. Likewise, natural stone flooring such as marble, slate, and limestone also do not need to be sealed. However, you may want to use a water-based acrylic seal for grout or cement for both brick and natural stone flooring.