Guide to Commercial Floor Care

Flooring can often seem like a set-and-forget amenity that requires attention during installation, but little care afterwards. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Floors endure constant wear and tear, with scuffs, marks, and cracks adding up quickly. Without proper maintenance and cleaning, they can make your buildings and sites appear outdated, or even unsafe.

That’s why floor maintenance is critical to protect your investment. Well-maintained floors improve safety and extend the lifespan of your flooring, maximizing your budget. Floor care is also essential for a healthy, safe environment. For spaces like healthcare facilities, hospitals, or schools, the right flooring choices and cleaning routines are key to maintaining a clean and sanitary space.

With the right equipment and know-how, your floors can be a shining example of how mastering the small details can make a big impact on your business. 

Key Takeaways

• Commercial floor care is largely determined by your flooring type, as each has different needs and procedures.
• Renting the appropriate equipment for your flooring type is key, with features that best fit your team and environment.
• General floor care starts with removal of dust and debris, with a deeper cleaning and finishing if needed, along with regular maintenance.
• Rental solutions give you access to the widest variety of equipment, plus expert help to match you with the right accessories.

Overview of Commercial Floor Care

Maintaining commercial floors differs significantly from common residential cleaning. With larger surface areas and heavier foot traffic, commercial flooring requires industrial-grade commercial floor cleaning equipment designed to handle these specialty needs. For example, the needs of a commercial kitchen floor cleaner may differ significantly from those of a custodian tackling commercial warehouse floor cleaning.

Outside of deep cleaning, your flooring will also require routine maintenance such as sweeping and mopping to ensure safety and preserve the appearance and function of your floors. The experts at Sunbelt Rentals can match you with the right solutions for your needs. 

Commercial Floor Maintenance & Cleaning Equipment by Floor Type

Commercial floor maintenance begins by identifying your floor’s surface material. There are a variety of surface materials you may encounter, and you may have multiple flooring types in one facility. Each flooring type presents unique care requirements. Remember, you can always reach out to the experts at Sunbelt Rentals for help selecting the correct tools and commercial floor cleaning supplies. Below, we’ll examine the most common types of flooring you’re likely to handle.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning

Commercial carpeting is sturdy enough for heavy traffic, but soft enough for everyday comfort. Regular vacuuming is essential to maintain a clean and professional appearance. For a deeper cleaning, you’ll want to complete a thorough vacuuming, then use heavy-duty industrial cleaners known as “extractors”. Extractors are designed for the larger floor sizes and tougher dirt and stains you’ll encounter with commercial applications. Extractors combine hot water and cleaning solutions for a more in-depth clean.

Cleaning Industrial Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is a durable, customizable, and low-cost option ideal for high-traffic areas. There are a few types of tile flooring, including ceramic and vinyl composition. Each type requires a different cleaning approach. Ceramic tiles benefit from stronger cleaning solutions and brushes that can reach grout lines, while you should avoid harsh chemicals on vinyl tiles as they may strip the finish. Routine mopping keeps tile flooring looking its best, though opting for a push-behind mechanized scrubber is far more efficient and delivers better results. Autonomous self-driving floor scrubbers from Sunbelt Rentals simplify this process further, helping you save time, effort, and payroll. 

Commercial Concrete Floor Cleaning

Concrete floors are tough, long-lasting, and able to stand up to heavy loads and work conditions. However, they require specific maintenance to preserve their finish. Regular sweeping or mopping is important to prevent dust buildup, which can dull the finish and put your concrete at risk of scratching. Since concrete floors reflect light and help brighten a space, having a high shine means you will need less overall lighting. To maintain a smooth and polished surface, grinding and burnishing may be required periodically.

Industrial Vinyl Floor Cleaning

Industrial Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) flooring is a cost-effective option offering high durability and lower costs. While VCT provides comfort and sound absorption advantages over harder surfaces, its maintenance needs are more intensive than other flooring types. VCT requires regular waxing to maintain its protective finish. This includes periodic stripping of old wax using specialized equipment, thorough cleaning of the exposed surface, and reapplication of fresh wax layers. Auto scrubbers and burnishers are essential for maintaining the wax finish between stripping cycles, while specialized stripping machines are needed for complete wax removal. Without this regular maintenance schedule, VCT can quickly show wear and require premature replacement, as damaged areas cannot be refinished.

Essential Commercial Floor Care Equipment

Sunbelt Rentals offers a comprehensive inventory of commercial floor care equipment rentals designed for every type of commercial floor care.

Consult the Experts at Sunbelt Rentals

Our 24/7 customer support professionals are always available to help you choose the right tools and equipment for any job. 

Industrial Floor Cleaning FAQs

Question: What do professionals use to clean floors? 

Answer: Professional floor care experts use a variety of specialized tools and equipment, such as floor sweepers, carpet extractors, automatic scrubbers, along with buffers, burnishers, and grinders. These machines are designed for the special needs of professional floor care and maintenance. 

Question: How do you clean industrial floors? 

Answer: Cleaning industrial floors is a multi-step process. Usually the first step is sweeping or vacuuming dirt and dust, followed by a deeper cleaning using carpet extractors or automated scrubbers. Then for certain floor types, polishing with a buffer, burnisher, or grinder achieves a smooth surface. 

Question: How to commercially clean floors? 

Answer: Commercial floor cleaning involves specialized equipment suited to the rigors of commercial spaces. Steps usually include sweeping, scrubbing, and polishing. Industrial-grade machines are often required for professional results. 

Question: How often should commercial floors be buffed? 

Answer: How often your commercial floors need to be buffed depends on how much traffic they receive. For higher-traffic areas, once a month may be required. For lower-traffic areas, buffing every two to three months might be sufficient. 

Question: How often should commercial floors be cleaned? 

Answer: Commercial floor cleaning frequency depends on the flooring material and how much traffic they receive. High-traffic areas may need daily maintenance, while deep cleaning carpeted and tile floors may only be needed once or twice a year. 

Question: How do you clean commercial vinyl flooring? 

Answer: Vinyl flooring is cleaned with regular sweeping and routine mopping to maintain its look and feel. Damaged vinyl cannot be refinished, so replacement will eventually be necessary for worn areas.

Question: How do you clean commercial floors? 

Answer: To clean commercial floors, first remove dust with vacuums or sweepers. Then deep clean using scrubbers or extractors, and finish with a polishing to enhance the shine.

Summary

Proper commercial floor care starts with the right equipment and expertise. The reliable solutions and support from Sunbelt Rentals will help you keep your floors clean and protect your investment for the long term. 

For expert advice and support, contact Sunbelt Rentals today to find the best equipment for your project.