With spring here, it's time to take another look at your floor care procedures. It's time to assess the impact of winter’s ice and salt, restore and prepare for the warmer months. While the conditions are less harsh, daily maintenance keeps them safe and clean and extends their life. Here are our DOs and DON'Ts for Spring & Summer floor care.
Outdoor Floor Care (includes parking lots, walkways, and sidewalks)
DO sweep outdoor spaces clear of dirt, leaves, trash, or rocks. Use either a broom or sweeper.
DO clean the ground with a pressure washer when needed, which will wash away embedded dirt sweeping can't get. There are even pressure washers designed for outdoor surfaces, like the Kärcher’s Jarvis Series.
DO use matting outdoors when needed. We have easy-to-clean mats for outdoors, and they trap dirt and provide slip resistance.
DO look for uneven bricks or stones, as they could lead to tripping. The safety of your employees and customers should be a priority.
DON'T assume that people will use garbage bins even if they're present. You'll have to always be on the lookout for litter and empty any bins regularly. A dirty, trash-filled place is not attractive to customers or patrons.
Â
Entrance Ways
DO ensure entrance matting is present to trap incoming dirt and grime. We recommend at least 15 feet for the best job.
DO regularly clean entrance matting. Depending on the type of matting, you can use a carpet extractor or a pressure washer. After washing, dry thoroughly, or it could still lead to slip and fall accidents.A carpet drier will get the job done quickly.
DO make floors as shiny as possible. It's aesthetically pleasing and a sign of good facility care.
DON'T just lay matting down. You may need to anchor it, so it's safer.
DON'T spread outside contaminants around inside. Be aware of what surfaces your tools have come into contact with and what they will touch.
DON'T only tend to the entrance area once a day. If you have a medium-to-high-traffic facility, you'll need to check in on your entranceways multiple times daily to ensure the space is clean and safe.
Inside Your Facility
DO use cleaning products that provide high traction and are certified by UL for slip resistance, like this Gloss restorer.
DO use products you know are effective on your floor type.Â
DO use burnishers and floor pads to keep the top layers of your floor clean and shiny.
DO use tools to aid in reducing cross-contamination, like the Wavebreak® mop bucket or mop handles with snap-off heads for quick, minimal contact changes.
DO be aware of areas potentially more prone to slip/fall accidents and ensure you take necessary precautions.
DON'T do things the slow, less sanitary way if you don't have to. Cleaning with equipment like a floor scrubber is faster and does a better job of cleaning. Increasing productivity leads to saving money.
DON'T overuse floor cleaning chemicals. Use the appropriate solutions in the proper dilutions when needed. Taking care of your floors prolongs their life and reduces the need for intensive maintenance like stripping.
DON'T just clean when it looks dirty. Having a routine and giving your floor the attention it needs prolongs damage and saves you money and time. Swish's 5CE program is a great, safe plan for a healthy, clean floor.
Spring/Summer floor care has a lot of opportunities to repair, maintain and preserve your flooring. Swish has the tools and expertise to help your floors thrive year-round. We put an equal emphasis on cleanliness and safety as we do productivity, meaning your cleaning routine can be as effective as possible. Don't lose money on damaged floors and slip/fall accidents. Contact us today to discuss the floorcare solution that suits your facility’s requirements.
Featured Products
