CULTURAL BUILDINGS
hydrochloric acid. The latter will emit fumes which could create a health hazard and potentially erode adjacent surfaces. Fumes from hydrochloric acids can also enter air conditioning ducts, spreading the problem further. A safe buffered acid, like Deterdek, will safely remove these residues, without emitting fumes or attacking surfaces.
If a surface requires sealing, a solvent-free solution will provide safe protection. As well as environmental benefits, water-based sealers can also be applied over residual moisture, which can save time following the initial clean. New formulations, like FILAMP90 ECO PLUS, are also certified food-safe, so they offer further versatility in public space specifications.
A CARING CULTURE
Lisa Breakspear, Business Development Manager at FILA, outlines the key
considerations for cleaning surfaces in cultural buildings.
Looking after surfaces in cultural buildings throws up a lot of challenges. Buildings may be very old or newly built and footfall is often high. Safety and aesthetics are important, but so too is the preservation of items contained within, be it historic books in a library or priceless artifacts in a museum. There’s a lot to consider.
Most surface care specifications start with an emphasis on green issues. Low VOC, water-based solutions offer the safest option and today’s high tech formulations give equal – and sometimes greater – performance benefits compared to traditional solvents. There’s also the requirement to periodically deep clean multiple surfaces; here, quality pH-neutral are the best option. It’s the seemingly ‘softer’ solutions that pack a punch in these environments!
So, what sort of regime should be established to ensure safety and longevity going forwards? Like all programmes, the first step is a thorough initial clean straight after installation or renovation – be it a new slate or concrete floor, porcelain wall tile or existing stone cladding. Installation residues will include grout and adhesives; if these aren’t cleaned off surfaces, they will create a key for dirt and make maintenance more difficult. If a sealer is being applied, they will also prevent it from being properly absorbed. In renovations, it’s important to ensure that organic dirt and previous product residues – including pastes and waxes - are removed, for the same reasons. pH-neutral products offer the safest option and quality, concentrated solutions like FILA Cleaner can be used at various dilutions for initial cleaning, general maintenance and periodic deep cleans.
In some instances, it may be necessary to use an acid cleaner (on acid-resistant surfaces) to remove cementitious residues and rust stains. Here, it’s vital that a fumeless ‘buffered’ acid is specified, as opposed to a
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For stone, as well as surfaces like porcelain that don’t generally require sealing, grout protection is an important consideration. Here, it’s important to choose a VOC-free treatment that protects against stains, doesn’t contaminate the air or alter surface appearance. Spray pumps, like FUGAPROOF, work really well, as they’re fast and safe to apply and can also be used over residual moisture.
To maintain surfaces, pH-neutral cleaners can be supported by more specific treatments. For example, FILA BRIO is a gentle, yet effective spray detergent that doesn’t smear or contain spirit or ammonia. It can be very useful for maintaining glass display cabinets in cultural spaces, as well as looking after a range of surfaces, including treated stone and grout.
In areas where specifications aren’t so eco-focused, or where recommended solutions are substituted for cheaper, inferior alternatives, problems often occur. Cleaners containing ‘maintainers’ are often chosen because they leave a nice sheen on the surface. However, the waxy residue left becomes a key for dirt, the surface becomes patchy and maintenance becomes more difficult. In some instances, the residue can also create a slip-hazard, especially on textured surfaces. To restore surface appearance and performance, a pH-neutral cleaner can often be used at a lower dilution. It’s important to ensure that solutions are given sufficient contact time and surfaces are thoroughly rinsed, if required. For very dirty porcelain and unpolished stone, an alkaline cleaner like FILAPS87 may be required. When using a deep cleaner, always ensure that the product is suitable for the surface material and finish, that residues are correctly removed with a cloth or ‘aqua vac’ and that the surface is thoroughly rinsed. A suitable regime can then be reinstated to ensure safety, easy ongoing maintenance and a good aesthetic.
www.filasolutions.com
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