EXPERT ADVICE RUBBER SOUL:
FOUR TIPS FOR CLEANING STUDDED RUBBER FLOORING
Barry Crackett is the product designer at Brushtec, a manufacturer that specialises in creating brushware for a variety of different applications. Here, he shares his tips for cleaning and maintaining studded rubber flooring.
Studded rubber flooring is being used for a growing number of applications, and with good reason. It’s very resilient and relatively low maintenance, which makes it ideal for use in areas that get a lot of footfall, like airports and train stations. Plus, the fact that it’s easy to clean and maintain means it’s also often used in buildings where hygiene is paramount, which is why it’s commonly found in schools and hospitals.
However, it’s incredibly important that studded rubber flooring is looked after properly. Otherwise, its surface and the floor that lies beneath it can be damaged beyond repair. So, to help you prevent this from happening, here is my best advice for keeping your rubber flooring in the best condition possible.
REMOVE ANY DEBRIS FIRST When you’re cleaning studded rubber flooring, your first step should be to remove any dirt or debris that’s lying on top. If you don’t do this, your flooring is likely to get scratched during the process and, over time, its surface will begin to look worse for wear.
Most of the debris should be easy to sweep or vacuum away, but I would also recommend using a specialised brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies the studs create. You’ll be able to do a very thorough job with a brush that has two different bristle lengths, as this will help you to clean any particularly hard-to-reach areas.
USE THE MOST
APPROPRIATE PRODUCTS While rubber flooring is generally robust, it can be ruined if cleaned with the wrong products. So, it’s important that you take great care when choosing your supplies.
20 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning
It’s best to opt for pH neutral products wherever possible, as anything particularly acidic or alkaline can damage the surface of rubber flooring. You should also try to avoid using any cleaning products that contain stripping agents like turpentine, as these can drastically speed up the rubber’s degradation.
PROTECT THE
FLOOR BENEATH While most of my advice is to do with maintaining your rubber floor, it’s equally as important to take care of the subfloor underneath. Your hard- wearing rubber flooring won’t last long if its foundation is in poor condition.
The best way to protect your subfloor is by installing a moisture-resistant barrier before you lay your rubber flooring. However, if the rubber layer is already in place, you should make sure that the edges of each tile are properly sealed. If any liquids reach the subfloor below, it could cause rot and mould, so this is essential.
PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO
HEAVY FOOTFALL AREAS It can be more difficult to maintain the flooring in areas that experience a lot of footfall, so it’s important that you take extra precautions when dealing with it. You can apply a metallised emulsion to the surface of studded rubber flooring, which will give it an extra layer of protection and increase its resilience.
If this is something you would like to try, you should apply at least two coats. However, you’ll have to leave each of these to dry before adding the next, which can take quite some time. Therefore, it’s important that you factor this into your schedule if you’re dealing with a public area and only get a small amount of time to carry out any maintenance.
And there are my top four tips for keeping your studded rubber floor in great condition. So, take them on board in order to extend your flooring’s life span and keep it looking great.
www.brushtec.com
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