Flooring Maintenance & Cleaning Guide

Whether it’s an office, school, or healthcare facility, keeping commercial floors clean and well-maintained is essential. Continuous foot traffic in these areas inevitably brings dust, dirt, and other allergens, diminishing both the floor’s appeal and safety.

Proper floor maintenance is important for safety, hygiene, appearance, and durability. Regular upkeep and the use of appropriate cleaning products reduce the risk of accidents and injuries caused by buildup and slippery areas. It also lowers the likelihood of bacterial growth, creating healthier environments. Since floors experience the most wear and tear in any building, accumulated dust and dirt can cause scratches and reduce aesthetic appeal. Clean and well-maintained floors always leave a positive impression.

Cleaning floors after they get dirty is a solution, but preventing dirt accumulation makes it easier to maintain the desired appearance. Preventive measures also impact service costs and frequency. Small steps, like placing mats at entrances and using rubber mats in high-impact areas, can be lifesaving. Entrance mats capture large dust, soil, water, and oil-based moisture. Rubber or latex mats protect against deformation caused by heavy furniture legs.

Cleaning Process

● Daily Maintenance
To remove 80% of the dirt on floors and maintain their appearance, daily cleaning with a brush-equipped vacuum is necessary. The frequency of vacuuming depends on foot traffic and the dirtiness of the flooring. For high-to-medium traffic areas, vacuum daily; for light traffic areas, 2–3 times per week; for irregular traffic areas, once per week is sufficient. Vacuuming is more effective than wet mopping for removing hard particles like sand.

Dealing with stains is part of daily maintenance. Immediate attention is required to prevent permanent marks. First, blot the stain with a clean, damp cloth, then gently tap it to remove it without spreading. Working from the outside toward the center of the stain is effective. After the stain dries, vacuum the area. If the stain persists, a neutral pH surface cleaner can be used, but avoid unnecessary use of cleaners, as they can damage the flooring by leaving residue.

All types of flooring require care and attention, but different materials need specific equipment and approaches. Carpet tiles require regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, and stain treatment. LVT floors need very little maintenance; frequent mopping or abrasive scrubbing can cause scratches. LVT floors, like PVC, are water-resistant. PVC floors can be cleaned with a damp cloth, but leaving them wet for long periods can cause slipperiness and deformation. Therefore, vacuuming and dry mopping are sufficient.

● Annual Maintenance
All flooring types need deep cleaning at certain times of the year. Carpet tiles should be cleaned annually using a dry foam system or a brushing method that removes debris without soaking the fibers. The goal is deep cleaning while saving drying time. This is crucial for commercial flooring. PVC floors require deep cleaning to maintain their shine. Annual maintenance of LVT and sheet PVC flooring should be performed with a neutral cleaner and professional hard floor cleaning machines. Depending on the size of the area and traffic intensity, these machines are also recommended for daily cleaning. In high-traffic areas, if wear is visible on the surface over time, applying a polish after cleaning is advised.

By maintaining your flooring correctly, you can ensure durable, long-lasting floors for years. The guidelines above are provided as a step toward improving your cleaning program. Unigen recommends following a regular maintenance schedule to preserve the original appearance of your surface.