A clean approach to carpets
Paul Pearce, Technical and Training Director of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA), distils the main considerations for achieving an effective commercial carpet cleaning programme.
There are a number of factors to consider when planning a thorough and safe carpet clean. For example, the layout of the building will affect the type of carpet cleaning equipment that the professional cleaner requires.
If there’s electrical and computing equipment used in the building – more than likely – then low moisture cleaning may well be the best method of choice because, as we know, electricity and moisture don’t mix well.
If the outside environment is particularly dusty or muddy, it’s more likely that dirt will be walked in or be airborne, which would increase the frequency of cleaning requirements. The amount of pedestrian traffic to and through the facility should also be considered, along with the opening hours – will the carpets need to be cleaned when there are occupants in the building?
Better safe than sorry
To reduce the frequency of carpet cleaning required, it would be prudent to implement preventative measures that reduce the amount of dirt brought into the building. Busy areas, such as the reception, are often the most inconvenient to clean and maintain, therefore it's best to keep those areas dirt-free for longer wherever possible. Ensure that any dirt or grime that’s trodden in isn’t ignored and is dealt with quickly, so the carpet never starts to look unacceptably unclean.
Barrier mats should be situated at every main entrance of a building. There are three important elements which make it effective. First, use a coarse texture synthetic mat or metal grid on the outside of entrances, for shoe cleaning before entry. Synthetic fibres are recommended, as natural fibres tend to retain soil and water and are ineffective for outside use.
Second, a medium grade mat made of natural or synthetic fibres should be situated inside the entrance porch or lobbies. It should have a backing, as this will help retain
46 | FLOORCARE AND MAINTENANCE
any collected soil, allowing for easier emptying and cleaning outside.
Finally, a large mat should be placed just before the entrance door. This mat must have a waterproof backing with a natural fibre face pile in order to absorb moisture from shoes.
Know your floor and carpet types
A commercial grade vacuum cleaner should be used daily in all areas. It is best to use vacuums with HEPA filters as they trap particles as small as 0.3 microns. Spot cleaning should be performed by a trained professional using correct techniques and cleaning solutions. Interim maintenance, performed either weekly or fortnightly, can be done by using either dry foam shampoo, an absorbent pad system, light surface extraction or dry powder.
Restorative cleaning can be undertaken quarterly to remove deeply embedded soil, improve indoor air quality, remove any residues from interim maintenance cleaning procedures, and to refresh the carpet texture.
Don’t forget exterior areas – a lot of soils are tracked in or carried in with air currents. Proper cleaning of parking and entrance areas should be included. A tile floor preceding carpet will require the carpet to be vacuumed and cleaned more frequently, due to soils being tracked off the harder floors.
Overall, cleaners must factor in building use, expedient cleaning of high traffic areas, using the right tools and chemicals, and thorough knowledge of soft flooring types on site. With all this collected data, an effective maintenance programme can be implemented. You can create a healthier, cleaner and more visually appealing interior environment for the client, and ensure you’re working as efficiently as possible.
www.ncca.co.uk twitter.com/TomoCleaning
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
