Whether you have polished concrete or epoxy commercial floors, they require ongoing appropriate maintenance for lasting performance. Learn the importance of commercial floor care and what’s necessary to keep yours in pristine condition.
Understanding the Dos and Don’ts of Floor Maintenance
Industrial flooring is known for being relatively low maintenance. But to contribute to its longevity, safety, and appearance, different flooring systems require different methods of upkeep. Polished concrete and epoxy floors are porous surfaces, so it’s important to incorporate routine, customized floor care. When you properly maintain your flooring by following best practices, the service life is extended and it remains a beautiful reflection of your company for years to come.
How To Clean Polished Concrete Floors
When cleaning polished concrete floors, the key is to avoid using harsh chemicals. Bleach, ammonia, and citrus-based products wreak havoc on your floor’s shiny finish. You should also never use solvents, sealers, or waxes on polished concrete since these strip the floor’s lustrous finish.
Less Liquid, More Dusting
Dirt and debris are abrasive to polished concrete floors. The key to long-lasting shine is daily light maintenance and protection from outdoor elements and regular foot traffic. Use a dust mop, which is a long-handled tool with soft padding that removes impurities and other particles from your polished concrete floors. This simple step keeps them from looking dull and lackluster.
A dust mop is easy to use and removes the day’s dirt and grime from hard-to-reach places. Neglecting to dust mop makes your floor more vulnerable to scrapes and scratches, giving your building an unsightly appearance.
Protect Floors From the Elements
To reduce the amount of dirt people bring in from their shoes, lay mats down in entryways and other common areas. Instead of using rubber-backed mats, use rugs that allow vapors to pass through. Rugs also prevent rainwater—which is acidic and especially harmful to polished concrete—and mud from settling into the surface.
Use precautions when moving heavy furniture, as well. Never scoot items across your concrete floor. Be sure to carefully lift from the bottom and gently set it in place, to avoid abrasions and irreparable damage.
How To Clean Epoxy Floors
Similar to polished concrete, epoxy floors also benefit from daily dry mopping. You shouldn’t wax epoxy floors, and you should use pH-neutral solutions to maintain your floor’s shiny, protective coating. Once appropriate cleaners are applied to epoxy floors, let them sit long enough to loosen dirt and grime, but mop them up before it dries. Remember to rinse the floors well to keep the cleaners from accumulating over time and avoid making the surface slippery.
Avoid Hot Water
Water that’s too hot causes cracks, so water must be below 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This keeps you from delaminating the floors, causing the resinous finish to erode. Hot water may seem like a good idea when you have tough oil or grease stains on your floors, but the high temperature and steam isn’t good for the epoxy surface. To remove stubborn stains or tough spills, use a water-based solution of alkaline detergent instead.
Eliminate Harmful Solutions
Soap-based detergents leave a haze over epoxy floors that breaks down the protective barrier over time. Epoxy can do without sap. Don’t use organic solvents, alcohol, or other harsh cleaners, either. Most times, all it takes is warm water, a mop, and a soft scrubbing brush to get the floor’s surface sparkling clean again.
Ardor Solutions’s Ongoing Services Keep Your Floors Shining
Ardor Solutions’ techniques are often imitated but never duplicated. Our diligent, knowledgeable team works to install impressive flooring solutions that breathe new life into your building. Our services exceed your expectations, from resinous flooring to decorative systems. We believe in long-term partnerships with our clients, so we can perform the best maintenance and routine care as an enhancement to your flooring investment. If you’re in the market for a new flooring system to improve the look of your facility, call Ardor Solutions today to schedule your free needs assessment.
