From foot traffic and spills to heavy-duty equipment being rolled across the floor, commercial flooring endures immense amounts of daily wear. How you maintain your facility’s flooring has a direct impact on its appearance, safety and longevity. This makes the need for a proper commercial floor care routine essential. Unfortunately, businesses sometimes make costly mistakes that lead to safety risks, shorter lifespans, inefficiencies and unnecessary expenses. Here are a few to avoid:

Choosing the Wrong Chemicals or Using Them Incorrectly

Not all cleaning products are created equal, and not all floors respond the same way to the same chemicals. Different floors require different cleaning solutions and processes. For example, what works well for tile may not work well for polished concrete or vinyl and could, in fact, cause discoloration, surface damage or premature wear. Using harsh chemicals on certain flooring types or improperly diluting them can strip protective finishes, leave behind residue or even cause slipping hazards. Always match your cleaning chemicals to your floor type, and make sure to follow the directions on the label.

Not Having the Proper Tools and Equipment

Having the proper tools and equipment is just as important as having the right cleaning chemicals. Even if you have the right products, the wrong tools can cause them to be ineffective. Things like worn-out mop heads or scrubber pads that are the wrong size or material can all lead to inefficient cleaning operations. Using the wrong tools and equipment can lead to inconsistent results, uneven surface wear or shortened lifespans. Ultimately, these inefficiencies end up costing you more. Always make sure you’re investing in the proper flooring equipment for your facility, factoring in the size of your space, the types of flooring you have and the cleaning demands.

Ignoring Safety

Proper floor care is as much about aesthetics and performance as it is about safety. Overwetting the floors, neglecting to place wet floor signs and failing to address spills in a timely manner are among the most common floor care mistakes that contribute to slip and fall accidents in the workplace. Using improper, faulty or aging equipment can also be a contributor. Unsafe conditions and accidents like these are huge liabilities. This makes having a proper floor care routine essential, and it should include proper equipment, suitable drying times, appropriate signage and immediate responses to spills.

Neglecting Proper Team Training

Even with the right products and tools, an untrained team can have huge consequences for your flooring. Neglecting team training leads to improper product and equipment use, as well as habits that can gradually cause damage. Your training program should consist of clear and standardized procedures, product education and periodic refreshers to ensure floor care remains consistent over time. Taking the time to properly train your staff does three very important things: it reduces waste and inefficiencies, extends the lifespan of your floors, and ensures that your facility consistently meets hygiene and safety standards.

Not Having a Cleaning Program in Place

When it comes to floor care, your cleaning processes should always be proactive, not reactive. Only addressing the floors when they look dirty is a huge mistake that can lead to hygiene and safety concerns, alongside the harm it does to the performance of your flooring. Without a structured cleaning program in place, flooring wears out quicker than it should. An efficient commercial cleaning program in terms of floor care involves:

• Consistent cleaning schedules
• Daily maintenance routines
• The right products and equipment based on floor type
• Operational training
• Periodic stripping and refinishing

Partner with a Supplier Who Knows Floor Care

Avoiding these common floor care mistakes becomes much easier with the right cleaning solutions partner by your side. That’s where Veritiv Pollock comes in! From cleaning chemicals and tools to equipment and eco-friendly products, we’re a trusted single-source supplier that delivers everything you need to ensure efficient cleaning operations. Learn about our facility solutions here, or contact us online to get started!