Installing safety flooring in schools, colleges and universities is the first step towards the provision of a safe environment, but this isn't enough on its own.
Once the floor is down, it should be properly maintained, cherished, if you like, to keep it looking and performing in tip top condition. Modern safety flooring is not difficult to clean, but the correct procedures need to be followed to keep the floor looking and performing as it should. With the introduction of a regular cleaning and maintenance programme, the floor will retain both its appearance and slip resistance
So what needs to be done by cleaners in educational buildings?
Back to basics
Establishing a good cleaning programme should be done with care and ideally in consultation with the flooring manufacturer.
A good place to start is in the entrances. A large and properly maintained barrier mat will greatly reduce the ingress of dirt and moisture into the building, giving the cleaners a head start. To be effective the mat needs to be at least four paces deep.
Cleaning budgets are always under pressure, and often all there will be time for is a sweep and a quick mop of the more critical areas. Even cleaning with a mop and bucket can be made more effective. Use hot water rather than cold and it's important to use the correct cleaning fluid for the application. For example, we would recommend an Alkaline cleaner for Altro Safety Flooring. It's also important to use the cleaning agent at the correct concentration. The use of an overgenerous mix can lead to a build up of solution on the floor, causing a whitish bloom, and also the slip resistance can be impaired. Also, it is helpful if the floor can be wetted with the cleaning solution and left to soak for a minute or two, allowing the soiling to be lifted into suspension. Merely passing the mop over the floor doesn't really allow the cleaning agent to be effective. The use of a twin compartment bucket allows the floor to be rinsed, ensuring the soiling and cleaning agent are thoroughly removed, and don't forget to change the water when dirty.
Scuff marks are always a problem in schools and colleges, and one tip when doing an area is to spray the scuff marks or any localised heavy soiling with the cleaning concentrate at the beginning, allowing the cleaner to begin to do its work. The type of mop incorporating a green pad is a useful tool to accommodate both general cleaning and to assist in the removal of the scuff marks.
However, by far the most effective way to clean safety flooring over large areas or where dirt is ingrained is with a cleaning machine. If a cleaning machine is used, it is important that the right pads are fitted. These should be kept lubricated with water and detergent. There is a range of cleaning machines on the market, to meet both budget and performance requirements and the investment in a machine can save money on cleaning costs in the long term as well as improving the overall appearance of the flooring.
Ongoing product development
Time doesn't stand still and safety flooring has come a long way. With the current advances in safety flooring technology, the need for frequent mechanical cleaning is constantly being reduced. In response to customer needs, Altro has developed safety flooring which incorporates MaxisTM Easyclean technology. Designed to be routinely wet mopped, with an occasional going over with a scrubbing machine, Maxis technology goes a long way to facilitate cleaning and maintenance, and has been shown to have a significant impact on life cycle costs.
The Maxis range has been installed in many schools throughout the UK for its reliability and ease of maintenance. The latest safety floorings, such as Altro Maxis and Suprema, no longer have the "sparkly" bits, and are fresh and modern in appearance, a fusion of function with design.
Remember...
The simplest way to ensure a newly laid safety floor remains looking fresh is to develop a regular and effective cleaning programme. This should take into account the fact that some areas will get dirtier than others and may need more attention.
And finally, remember; dirty equipment does not clean; it only moves the dirt around.
For further information on Altro's success in the education sector, visit http://www.altro.com/, call 0800 018 2960 or email enquiries@altro.com
