Vinyl floors are widely used in high-traffic office spaces due to their hardy nature. However, they still need regular cleaning to look their best. Read on to learn more about how to effectively clean the vinyl floors in your office.
Step 1. Pre-clean vacuum of vinyl flooring
Just like carpets and tiled floors, it’s important you begin the cleaning process by first vacuuming or sweeping to remove any dust and debris from your vinyl floor.
Mopping vinyl floors without vacuuming first can result in debris like sand and other particles scratching and damaging your expensive floors. It’s important to remember that when it comes to vinyl, scratches can be very obvious and difficult to remove.
At PetraClean, we use backpack vacuums fitted with HEPA filters. A High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter, better known as HEPA, is a type of filter that can trap a large number of very small particles that other vacuum cleaners would otherwise recirculate back into the air. Vacuums that use HEPA filters are considered superior because they minimize dust, skin cells, hair, and other particles that can exacerbate allergies and respiratory conditions.
At the offices of our Perth clients, we always vacuum and never sweep, whether floors are tiled, carpet, vinyl, or hardwood. Not only is this due to vacuums being far more effective at picking up debris, but brooms tend to make dust particles airborne, which simply spreads particles around the room.
Step 2. Inspect the vinyl floors
Before mopping, it’s important you inspect your vinyl floors so you can identify the type and amount of dirt or soiling. This will allow you to clean your floors with both the right chemicals and the right technique, to avoid unnecessary damage.
Step 3. Mop the vinyl floors
If your floors are in good condition and don’t have any obvious soiling, but still need a clean, simply using hot water is your best bet. This is due to the overuse of disinfectants and degreasers causing a cloudy and sticky residue, ruining the look and feel of your vinyl floors.
If your vinyl floors are heavily soiled, we recommend still beginning by mopping with hot water (this allows chemicals to react with dirt faster, meaning less work for you, and less contact time between chemicals and your floors), followed by a degreaser.
At PetraClean use an industrial strength degreaser called All Purpose. Made up of a caustic alkali (a basic, ionic solid that is corrosive), All Purpose is a water-based degreaser that effectively cleans heavy grease and other soiling from vinyl floors, without causing damage.
If you’ve used any chemicals, we recommend finishing up with a mop of hot water only, which you can leave to air dry.
Step 4. Strip and seal (optional)
Vinyl floors are not a cheap investment, especially for large office spaces. In order to keep your floors looking great for years to come, PetraClean recommends getting semi-regular strip and seal treatments.
The most effective solution for restoration and protection of vinyl flooring, the strip and seal process involves applying a number of coats of protective sealant to your floors. This treatment can last up to five years, with floors able to be cleaned regularly without affecting the protective properties of the strip and seal. This will keep your vinyl floors looking pristine for years to come.
When it comes to cleaning vinyl office floors, protection through a strip and seal protection is just as important as not going overboard with chemicals in the cleaning process. For more information on how to get your vinyl floors looking their best, or to have a chat about getting your office cleaned by us, get into contact today.
