“It is time for professionals to
look past the shine and address the
microscopic reality of floor safety.”
more brightly-coloured and vibrant than the surrounding floor, you aren’t seeing a ‘cleaner’ spot: you are seeing the original floor before polymerisation took hold.
Dark-coloured grout, or grout lines that are darker in areas with higher traffic are another sign of polymerisation. If your grout lines are black, grey or beige in high-traffic areas, it is often a sign that contaminants are being mopped into the floor, rather than lifted off it.
Avoiding murky waters
Fixing a dangerous floor is significantly less expensive and less disruptive than replacing one or settling a personal injury claim. However, it also requires a shift in strategy. This strategy begins with removing the polymerisation, then changing floor cleaning procedures to keep it from recurring.
Commercial floor cleaning companies offer many different methods for removing polymerisation, and this might be a worthwhile investment. Commercial chemical suppliers can also provide the right products for those who choose to tackle the project with in-house staff and equipment. When choosing a product, it is vital to match the cleaning chemical with the type of floor, the temperature of the water and the type of cleaning methods that will be used.
After removing the buildup, determine whether to re-seal the surface. If you do, choose polishes or sealers that maintain or increase traction.
Next, evaluate the contaminants. Is it just outdoor dirt, or are there oils and greases? Products designed for dirt often fail on oily floors. Conversely, degreasers might not pick up particulates. Choose a chemical specifically designed for both your floor type and the specific contaminants present. While stocking one multi-purpose cleaner is easier, it is often the source of the problem.
www.tomorrowscleaning.com
Cleaning procedures
It’s important to develop floor cleaning procedures based not only on the information on the cleaning product’s label and any other supplier recommendations, but also on wider environmental factors.
As well as considering how often to clean the floor, at what time of day cleaning takes place and the tools and equipment to use to apply and remove cleaning chemicals, protocols must also adapt to weather conditions.
External conditions directly dictate internal safety. During periods of heavy rain or snow, for example, standard cleaning frequencies are often insufficient. Foot traffic introduces higher volumes of water, mud and de-icing salts, all of which can react with existing floor residues to create a slick ‘slurry’.
Procedures should mandate increased mopping cycles during wet weather and the strategic use of high- absorbency entrance mats to capture moisture at the source. In adverse weather, the ‘cloudy water’ rule becomes critical. As mop water becomes saturated with salt and grit, it stops cleaning and begins redistributing a thin, abrasive film that accelerates polymerisation. In these instances, mop water should be changed as soon as it looks cloudy, rather than waiting until the end of a shift.
Finally, consider secondary products. Furniture polishes, glass cleaners and odour-eliminators can drift onto the floor, making surfaces less safe. Using pre-moistened wipes for these tasks can help minimise this hazard.
Effective cleaning procedures can eliminate falls, but managed incorrectly, they can actually increase the risk.
www.newpig.co.uk TOMORROW'S CLEANING | 41
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