More facilities are concerned about their environmental impact and switching to eco-friendly flooring. Many commercial spaces where appearance matters, such as in banks or class-A office buildings, are installing bamboo or cork flooring in entryways rather than traditional hardwood. These newer options are made from rapidly renewable resources and are durable — some manufacturers claim the floors will last more than 50 years.

Cork and bamboo have similar maintenance requirements. For the first 30 days after installation, many manufacturers recommend cleaning the floor with only water. After that time, cleaning professionals can use a pH-neutral cleaner after removing dust and dirt with either a vacuum or microfiber mop.

Cork floors are extremely porous, so janitors must monitor how much moisture is put on the floor to avoid over saturation.


posted on 2/16/2010