Floor care is an essential part of building maintenance. A dirty carpet, chipped tiles, or scratched wood creates a negative impression. Fortunately, modern technological advancements make caring for floors more convenient.
Every facilities manager has to operate on a tight budget, and flooring is expensive. Proper, consistent floor maintenance has a lower price tag than floor repair and replacement. Taking care of your building’s floors saves money in the long-term. A well-maintained carpet presents a positive image. Customers will judge the cleanliness of the entire facility based on the flooring. Moreover, uneven boards, cracked tiles, and lifted carpet all pose trip hazards. Floor care is far cheaper than a negligence lawsuit.
The days of stripping and waxing floors are diminishing. Many commercial buildings are opting for prevention with vinyl tile, stain-guard surfaces, and factory coatings. Nowadays, more and more businesses are switching to green floor care products. Sustainable cleaning is often cost-effective and better for the building’s indoor environment.
Digital technology is spurring advancements in floor care equipment. Vacuums, mops, and scrubbers are going on autopilot while staying connected to a smartphone app. Robotic floor cleaning has been around for a while, but it’s really picking up steam in the commercial sector. It’s a time and money saver in bigger buildings. Other trends in floor care include use of less water, engineered water, and square machines that reach baseboards and corners.
With the current trends in eco-friendly building design, many commercial facilities are adopting sustainable options. Replacing the flooring is wasteful and expensive. It’s better to maintain the existing floor. However, if you do need to renovate or are building a new facility, consider eco-friendly floorings such as cork, bamboo, or linoleum.
Moisture resistant cork flooring is made from natural, renewable resources. Cork floor is springy and warm. It provides insulation and sound absorption. With proper care, a cork floor can last 50-75 years. Even though cork is water-resistant, it’s important not to let liquid pool. Wipe up spills immediately, sweep or vacuum regularly, and damp mop at least once per week. For heavy stains and spills, only use cleaners specifically designed for cork.
Bamboo resembles hardwood floors. However, bamboo is an eco-friendly, renewable recourse because it grows much faster than trees. When properly maintained, it can last up to 50 years. Similar to hardwood, clean with a dust mop or broom. Damp-mop when needed, but avoid wet mops. Only use cleaning agents that are safe for wood.
Similar to cork, linoleum is a resilient flooring that provides a little spring to your step. Linoleum is made from natural resources such as flaxseed, pine resin, wood flour, and limestone. It is biodegradable and has minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It’s very durable and can last up to 40 years with proper care. However, linoleum is prone to scrapes and yellowing with age. Fortunately, many manufacturers provide coatings that protect against damage. Floors without protective coating should be cleaned and waxed every few years. Otherwise, it is very low-maintenance, only needing occasional sweeping and damp mopping.
The care you give to cleaning and maintenance reflects on the overall reputation of the building. From cutting-edge technology to LEED-certified flooring, modern trends are keeping the floors cleaner than ever.
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