How to Clean and Maintain Office Vinyl Floors

Vinyl floors are a popular type of synthetic flooring that’s made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials. They are highly durable, easy to install and maintain, cost-effective, and provide a softer underfoot feel.

They are often installed in office spaces because, as fast as they get dirty, they are also relatively easy to clean and maintain. And because the foot traffic is high in office spaces, dirt and dust accumulate quickly.

Usually, regular sweeping and mopping are already enough to keep them looking clean. But the real question is, are your floors really clean that they don’t contribute to the unwellness of the people inside?

Let’s discuss how to keep your office floors pristine and healthful.

Daily Maintenance

Here is a straightforward routine to try to maintain your vinyl floors daily. When sweeping, use a soft broom or a microfibre dust mop. Go as gently as possible to avoid scratching the floor. Pay attention to the areas that receive the most traffic.

You can dry-mop in addition to sweeping. Just use a microfibre dry mop or an electrostatic mop. Glide it across the floor in smooth and overlapping strokes so you don’t miss any dust and small particles.

Dealing with Spills As They Happen

The core idea here is to take immediate action. As soon as they happen, address them immediately to avoid staining and damage. For the tools to use, keep the following in a convenient storage for quick cleanups.

1. Paper towels
2. Microfibre cloth
3. Mild cleaning solution

Types of Accidental Spills

1. Juice and Soda – Blot up the excess liquid quickly and wipe the surface with a cloth/sponge that’s dipped in warm, sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe the surface dry.
2. Cleaning Supplies – For liquid cleaners, use paper towels/dry cloth to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Then use damp cloth to remove any residue and finish with a clean towel. For bleach and harsh chemicals, use a mixture of baking soda and water to neutralise. Then, do the usual “clean, rinse, and dry.”
   For powdered cleaners, you start with a vacuum cleaner to pick up as much of the powder as possible. Wipe the area with a damp cloth using soapy water, and then dry with a clean towel.
   For greasy/oily cleaners, use paper towels to absorb as much of the grease as possible. Apply a small amount of dish soap directly and gently scrub with a damp cloth. Then rinse with clean water.
3. Chemical Spills – The first thing to do is notify people in the area. Then put on proper personal protective equipment before cleaning. Use the appropriate absorbent material for the spill at hand. Slowly add it on and around the spill and wait for it to absorb. Sweep up the absorbed spill towards the middle, and scoop and deposit it in a tight & leak-proof container.
4. Dust and Powder Spills – Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove as much dust as possible. Then use a microfibre mop (for dust) to catch the remaining particles or a microfibre mop with warm water to remove the remaining powder. For dust, finalise by using a damp cloth to remove residues. For powder, mix a mild soap with warm water and mop the area again. And then dry the area.

Why Put Entrance Mats?

Entrance mats are unsung heroes in office spaces, even with vinyl floors. It traps dirt and moisture from shoes so you won’t have to frequently clean the floors. Less cleaning and maintenance equates to reduced costs in the long run.

They also provide a non-slip surface, especially on rainy days. There is less risk of slips and falls. Safety first! Mats also delay the daily wear and tear on your office floors.

They might seem trivial, but their impact is big. So why not add some to your office?

How to Clean Vinyl Floors: Weekly Routine

Here is a quick guide on how to maintain the cleanliness of vinyl floors weekly.

1. Get your vacuum cleaner and affix a hard floor attachment to trap those finer particles that you might miss when sweeping the floors. Don’t ever use a vacuum with a beater bar because it can damage or scratch the vinyl.
2. A few drops of mild dish soap in warm water often does the job. Dip a microfibre mop into the solution, properly wring it out to remove excess water, and mop the floor using a figure-eight motion to not push the dirt around.
3. After mopping with the soapy solution in the second step, rinse the floor with clean, warm water.
4. The last step is to dry the floor completely using a clean dry mop. When you unintentionally leave water spots, it may be unsafe for the people inside the office and cause floor discolouration.

These are the general steps to take every week to keep the floors clean. It’s another story when we talk about monthly cleaning routines.

Monthly Deep Cleaning

Monthly cleaning focuses on deep cleaning the floors since they are being maintained four times a month.

First step, look for stains. Check if there are spots that need to be deeply cleaned. And then use a specialised vinyl floor cleaner that is made for commercial spaces. Achieve the best results by strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Lastly, apply a no-wax polish to add a protective layer on the floors and also restore their usual shine. Wax-based products are not recommended because they create a build-up and make the floor slippery.

Tackling Common Office Floor Issues

Here are tips you can try for issues like scuff marks from office chairs, foot traffic and buildup.

Scuff Marks

Rub the scuff mark with a soft cloth or sponge gently and apply a vinyl floor cleaner designed for commercial use. If you are dealing with stubborn scuff marks, use a magic eraser. It is gentle on the floor but effective in removing marks.

Foot Traffic

Just sweep and mop regularly to delay the wear and tear of the vinyl floors. And in addition to placing mats in high-traffic areas, use felt pads under furniture legs to avoid scratches and dents.

Buildup

The pattern here is sweep, deep clean, and then rinse and dry. This is how you deal with dirt buildup. You first remove fine dust particles (daily) and then mop weekly.
Make sure that you remove the soapy residue and completely dry the floors before using them again.

Long-Term Care and Prevention

The discussion above is part of the long-term care of vinyl floors. You maintain them daily, weekly and monthly. As much as possible, lift furniture instead of dragging and also keep them away from the rays of the sun.

If you are moving furniture, use glides to lessen the risk of getting scratched floors. As much as possible, use non-staining mats or rugs inside entrances.

To extend the expected lifespan of the floors, never ever use abrasive cleaners and tools. And don’t forget to conduct regular inspections, which can be biweekly or monthly, depending on the foot traffic.

What to Avoid

Aside from harsh chemicals, abrasive tools, and wax-based products, you should also know that steam cleaning and excessive water actually damage vinyl floors.

They are not completely waterproof. The excess water can seep into the seams and edges and cause the adhesive to loosen (bubbling/warping). Excess moisture also creates a breeding ground for mould and mildew under the flooring.

Steam cleaners on the other hand cause the vinyl to soften, warp, or even discolour. We don’t want you having to search the web “how to clean discoloured vinyl flooring” due to steam cleaning.

Both exposure to water and heat also reduces the longevity of vinyl floors. So for these reasons, it’s best to stick to gentler cleaning methods like dry mopping, sweeping, and using a damp mop with mild soap.

When to Consider Professional Help?

The following are the situations when you might want to call in the pros.

1. 1. When regular cleaning doesn’t remove tough stains or discolouration.
   2. If you have large office spaces. Professional cleaners can tackle the job more efficiently and thoroughly.
   3. If the vinyl floors have lost their shine or show signs of wear. They can apply treatments.
   4. If you suspect mould or mildew. Professional help is more recommended than tackling it yourself.
   5. After renovations or construction. They can handle the heavy-duty cleaning needed.
   6. When there are minor damages like scratches or dents that you don’t want to risk removing by yourselves.
   7. When you just want to ensure that the office floors are cleaned to specific health and safety standards. For example, you are in an industry with strict hygiene requirements. This is when partnering with an office cleaning company in Singapore is the better option.

Conclusion

When cleaning the floors yourselves, you have full control and you can immediately clean them. It’s also cost-efficient.

But when you outsource the cleaning to office cleaners in Singapore, you save a significant amount of time that you would otherwise spend on floor cleaning. You are also guaranteed that the cleanliness is in compliance with the set health and safety standards.

Avalon Services is a trusted cleaning service provider. We can handle office cleaning with ease. Make us your partner, and contact us right here to get started!