Janitorial Service: Maintaining And Cleaning Different Flooring Materials

Do you use the same mop to clean all flooring in your office building? If so, you should hire a professional janitorial service before you destroy expensive and difficult to replace materials. All flooring requires different cleaning and maintenance. Products that work for marble cannot be used on tile, wood, or carpeting. Each needs special attention, and a quality pro cleaner will be able to keep the surfaces looking polished and smooth for several years to come. 

Marble:
Commonly found in restaurants and office lobbies, marble is an expensive flooring material and damage to it or improper maintenance can result in expensive repairs. Conversely, well-kept marble will last for lifetimes. Just look at any preserved Roman statue. It may appear easy to clean with a mop and some soap, but while seemingly smooth on the surface, marble is actually a very porous material and it can absorb liquids or dirt, pulling them deep down to create a permanent stain. Sand and other abrasives such as harsh acidic chemicals will also eat away at the finish, leaving cracks and an uneven surface. For basic cleaning, warm water and soap is the key. But scuff marks and deep stains will need regular removal as well which will require the expertise of a janitorial service that can help rid the floor of debris without causing further harm. 

Tile:
Many offices, bathrooms, schools, and other private and public facilities utilize smaller areas of tile. Ceramic tile is easy to clean, durable, and can be repaired for a minimal expense. Visible scratching on the surfaces is uncommon, but very harsh abrasives should not be used. Polishing the tile occasionally can help it retain its luster and prevent uneven discoloration. Staining is still possible because some tiles can be more porous, so quickly attending to spills is important.

Hardwood:
When kept well maintained, a hardwood floor will look new and polished with few or no scratches for several years. Heavy use, wrong cleansers and equipment, and not enough polishing will wear it out quickly, however. What's more is that different types of wood will require different maintenance and cleaning methods for optimal results. Sweeping regularly is important to remove grit and dust that could grind into the finish and leave scratches. Mopping should be done sparingly and with only a little moisture. Dry cleaning is the preferred technique. Caution should be taken care so furniture feet don't slide across the surface leaving marks or other damage. Buffing to bring out a natural polish can be done occasionally, but oils, which will build up over time, should be avoided. 

Carpet:
All you have to do is vacuum, right? Not so fast, in addition to regular vacuuming, stain control and shampooing are necessary to keep a carpet looking fresh and clean. Stains should always be blotted after the proper cleansing solution is applied. Many types of stains require a specific remover in order to fully lift them. Shampooing a few times a year is another necessity, and hiring a janitorial service is much more cost and time effective than renting the required equipment for DIY.