Hardwood flooring is a popular choice among business owners. With its timeless aesthetic, commercial hardwood flooring lends warmth and elegance to any commercial space.
Commercial hardwood floors are highly durable and impact-resistant, holding up well even under heavy foot traffic. However, while resilient, they still require regular care and attention to keep them looking their best and prevent them from wearing quicker than they should.
What You Need to Clean Commercial Hardwood Floors
It’s essential to approach hardwood floor cleaning and maintenance cautiously, as using the wrong tools and products can damage floors. This is especially true of cleaning old hardwood floors, as their surfaces may be more delicate due to years of usage.
Before you start, make sure you have the following cleaning essentials:
- A soft-bristled broom
- A vacuum cleaner
- Two microfiber mops (one for dusting, the other for damp mopping)
- Commercial cleaner specifically formulated for your type of hardwood
How to Clean Commercial Hardwood Floors: Tips and Techniques
Next, follow these steps to help keep your hardwood flooring squeaky clean.
1. Sweep and Dust Daily
Commercial spaces are typically high-traffic areas. All day long, you have customers and staff coming in, tracking in mud, dirt, and debris from the outside world. To keep your floors clean and in excellent condition, dust and sweep or vacuum them daily.
Depending on how much traffic your space gets, you might need to do this several times a day. For instance, you likely need to clean the flooring on entryways, exits, and walkways more often than in quieter areas like offices and stock rooms.
If you see any scuff marks, get rid of them right away. The longer you leave them, the harder they will be to remove. Scuff marks can also make floors look untidy, which could leave a negative impression on customers.
2. Clean Up Spills Immediately
While hardwood floors are resilient, they are prone to moisture damage. This is especially true of solid hardwood – engineered floors with hardwood veneers are generally more resistant to spills.
Do not let dry messes or wet spills stay on your hardwood floors for over a few moments. Mud, crumbs, and the like can cause scratches, while colored liquids like wine and coffee can permanently stain hardwood floors. Meanwhile, standing water can result in warping, which can be costly to repair.
3. Use a Damp Mop
As mentioned, hardwood flooring is susceptible to water damage. However, you can safely use a damp mop to keep it clean and free from dust and grit. Spray a microfiber mop with a commercial hardwood floor cleaning solution, then mop following the grain. Alternatively, you can use a specialized mop with a built-in sprayer.
If your store or office wood flooring is very dirty, rinse and ring out your mop often. Be careful not to soak floors, and allow them to dry completely after mopping. Consider using fans, air movers, or dehumidifiers to accelerate the drying time.
As with sweeping and vacuuming, you might need to mop several times a day, depending on factors such as the amount of traffic your organization gets and the nature of your business. For instance, a fast-food restaurant or a hospital will likely need more frequent mopping than a bed-and-breakfast or an art gallery.
Cleaning Hardwood Floors: What Not to Do
Don’t Use Dishwashing Liquid
Some people and online blogs advise cleaning hardwood floors with dishwashing liquid and water. While this DIY solution might seem like a good, inexpensive alternative to commercial hardwood cleaning products or professional cleaning services, it could do more harm than good.
Dishwashing liquid is formulated to cut grease and can be too harsh to use on hardwood. It also leaves a film on hardwood floors, making them slippery and dull their shine.
Don’t Neglect Professional Deep Cleaning
Regular cleaning routines, like vacuuming and damp mopping, address surface-level dirt and debris. However, dirt, grime, and particles can accumulate over time and become deeply embedded in the wood’s grain.
Professional deep cleaning of hardwood floors entails the use of specialized equipment and techniques to remove these deep-seated contaminants, helping restore the floor’s original luster. Additionally, experts at cleaning commercial wood flooring know how to tackle old, tough stains and scuff marks that have set – all without damaging its finish.
Keep Your Hardwood Floors Spotless With Professional Cleaning Services
Hardwood floors are aesthetically pleasing, and they’re the perfect flooring option for businesses that wish to project professionalism, quality, and sophistication. However, keeping them clean and looking their best is labor-intensive and time-consuming.
Instead of taking staff away from their core duties to mop and vacuum every hour or so, consider turning to a professional cleaning service provider. JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting saves you and your staff time and effort by providing efficient, thorough cleaning whenever needed.
Contact us today to discuss our commercial floor cleaning services.
Cleaning and disinfecting services provided by independently owned and operated JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting franchisees.