How to Keep Your Commercial Floors Shining During Winter's Toughest Weather

Slipping, tripping, and falling are common occurrences during winter, and unfortunately, they can cause serious harm to individuals and business owners alike.

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), falls account for over 20 percent of emergency room visits, which equates to more than 8 million visits annually!

That's why it's essential for commercial properties such as office buildings, medical facilities, Government Buildings, schools, etc., to keep their floors clean and dry throughout the winter months. With customers and employees walking in snow, salt, and grime, commercial floors quickly become dirty and hazardous.

This newsletter emphasizes the importance of maintaining clean and safe commercial floors during the winter months and provides helpful tips on how to do so.

Why is it important to keep your floors clean?

The floor is the first thing customers notice when they enter your establishment. A cluttered, dirty floor can create a negative image of your business as dirty and unprofessional. On the other hand, a clean, well-kept floor makes a great first impression and helps to set the tone for your overall customer experience.

Safety

Slip and trip-related falls account for approximately 70% of all falls at the walking level. Slips are caused by wet and oily floors, weather conditions, traction variations, and many other factors. During winter, commercial floors become slippery and dangerous from being tracked in snow and ice, as well as salt. Maintaining a clean and dry floor prevents accidents (and lawsuits) and keeps everyone in your business safe.

• Daily Maintenance- The most effective way to maintain commercial flooring is to create a daily cleaning schedule. This includes vacuuming or sweeping to remove loose debris and then mopping with mild cleaning solutions.
• Deep Cleaning- In addition to regular maintenance, commercial tile floors need to be deep cleaned on a regular basis. Commercial tile floors can be deep cleaned with a steam cleaner and commercial floor scrubbers. These different types of machines use warm water and cleaning products to remove grime and dirt from commercial tile floors and grout. They can also be used to perform striping and waxing.
• Cleaning Products- When it comes to commercial floor cleaning, it is important to use the correct cleaning products. Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners should not be used as they can damage ceramic tiles and grout, as well as marble, hardwood and other types of flooring.
• Regularly inspecting floors- Commercial floors can be prone to cracks, chips, and other damage, so it’s important to inspect them regularly to identify any potential problems before they develop into bigger issues.
• Longevity- Cleaning and maintaining your floors can help them last longer. Dirt, dust, and other contaminants can scratch and damage your flooring materials. This can result in expensive repairs or replacement. Cleaning your floors helps protect your investment and helps you save money.

What’s so different about commercial floor cleaning in the winter? Couldn’t you just stick to the same maintenance plan you implement during the rest of the year?

If you’re located in an area where snow is common, your employees and visitors will likely track water, ice, and residual salt rings indoors. Not only do these create an unsafe environment, but they create a potential for salt damage, mold, and mildew growth.

Winter floor care can help prevent these issues. There are a few things you can do to prepare for the colder months. Here are five winter floor maintenance tips:

1. Lay Floor Mats

Proper winter floor maintenance should is preventative. One great way to do this is with a matting system. Floor mats will absorb snow and ice before they are tracked throughout the building.

2. Clean Floors Regularly

Prevent water build-up by using a commercial floor scrubber frequently. A commercial floor scrubber thoroughly lifts dirt, water, and microscopic debris (like salt particles) to protect your flooring.

3. Reseal Hard Floors

Get ahead of the weather by ensuring that there is enough finish on your flooring to protect the surface. If you’re already well into the season and haven’t already done this, you may want to wait until next year. It is not best practice to strip and refinish during the winter because of increased contaminates. Instead, reseal before winter hits.

4. Use Floor Neutralizer

Unlike dirt, salt residue has a high pH balance and will require a floor neutralizer to remove. Consider swapping your regular floor cleaner for winter floor cleaner. Be sure to check your scrubber’s manufacturer guidelines before investing in a neutralizer.

5. Create a Plan

Commercial floor cleaning in the winter requires more attention than in other seasons. Come up with a cleaning schedule to stay on top of floor conditions. Check high-traffic areas often.

Winter Floor Maintenance

The key to winter floor maintenance is maintenance. Cleaning the floors isn’t something you do once and forget about. Invest in the equipment you need to clean your floors often.

A small walk-behind floor scrubber is a great option for quick, efficient cleaning whenever you need it. Many businesses keep a cordless commercial floor scrubber handy in high-traffic areas.

Large ride-on scrubbers are also available for larger spaces with lots of ground to cover. The winter floor cleaner you choose will depend on factors such as facility size, entryway width, and budget. Keep in mind that not every scrubber is a good fit for all flooring types.

The importance of matting

Imagine you’re walking into your office on a snowy morning, and upon your arrival, you notice that the floors are already a mix of wet footprints and salt stains. That’s where walk-off mats come in, acting as the unsung heroes of winter floor care! Walk-off mats are your first line of defense as they trap dirt and moisture before they can spread throughout your facility, significantly reducing cleaning time and costs.

Cleaning industry professionals and ISSA research indicate that effective matting can prevent up to 80 per cent of dirt and moisture from infiltrating a building. Furthermore, studies show that without sufficient matting, nearly 42 per cent of a floor’s finish can be stripped away within the initial six feet of an entrance with traffic from just 1,500 individuals.

To use these mats effectively, place them at all entrances. Consider asking a professional for advice on their placement and size. Choose strong, high-quality mats for high-traffic areas. Clean them regularly to keep them working well. A quick vacuum or shake can make a big difference to their effectiveness and longevity.