5 Tips To Protect Floors During Winter

Contributed by Cintas Corporation.

Day-to-day foot traffic can wreak havoc on facility floors, especially during periods of inclement weather when snow, ice, salt and sand can be tracked throughout a facility. To help businesses protect floors during the harsh winter months, Cintas Corporation offers five essential tips.  

“It is important for businesses to protect their investment in floors which can impact the perception of a business,” says John Engel, Director of Marketing, Cintas. “Keeping dirt and debris from entering a facility and being vigilant with your floorcare program is critical for keeping floors in top shape throughout the winter.”

Five essential tips to help businesses protect floors during the winter include:  

1. Implement a comprehensive matting program: Without adequate matting, 42 percent of a floor’s finish can be removed within the first six feet of an entrance after only 1,500 people have entered a facility, according to an 3M study. Implement a dual mat system that includes scraper mats and carpet mats.  Scraper mats feature active blades of various heights that scrape grime and debris off shoes outside front entryways and carpet mats pick up excess debris.

2. Clean floors frequently: A staff member should regularly mop entryways and other floor surfaces throughout a facility. This can remove salt lines from ice melt and reduce water accumulation from snow and freezing rain. Use heavy-duty wet mops and microfiber mops that capture and remove moisture from floors. For spot cleaning or picking up small spills, consider a pulse mop that doesn’t require prepping a mop bucket.

3. Conduct periodic deep cleaning: Conducting regular deep cleans, especially during the winter months, can minimize the burden of daily cleaning and extend the life of floors. Deep cleaning can also restore facility floors to “like new” condition, resulting in a favorable customer perception.

4. Keep facilities stocked and employees trained: In addition to implementing mat and floorcare programs, keep all maintenance items in an adequate supply. Staff members should receive proper training and understand the correct floor cleaning procedures.

5. Work with an experienced services provider: Ensure mats are installed and maintained correctly by partnering with a qualified service professional that offers freshly cleaned carpet mats while removing the dirty ones. Service providers can also ensure cleaning supplies are adequately stocked and perform periodic deep cleans to help protect a business’s investment in its floors.

“Floors experience the most wear and tear within a building and are the first asset visitors notice when they walk in,” Engel adds. “It is important to implement a comprehensive matting program to prevent winter debris from entering a facility and a floorcare program that includes frequent cleanings and deep cleans to enhance the appearance of floors.”