A facility’s flooring is one of the first things noticed by people entering a building, and first impressions matter. This makes maintaining carpet cleanliness incredibly important, but what does successful maintenance look like?
Mike Milano, General Manager of CCS’ Carpet & Floor Division, provides his expertise on recommended maintenance to extend the life of carpeting throughout a commercial facility. Milano has earned the prestigious Carpet Cleaning Technician certification from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification, representing his extensive knowledge and expertise in this industry.
2. Keep liquids away. Water is the easiest culprit to try to avoid but can sometimes sneak in from unexpected places, so keep a sharp eye out for any wet spots. Audit corners where leaks can lurk unseen. If carpets are adjacent to hardwood flooring, be aware that products used on hardwood can damage carpet. Milano recommends: “If chemicals used on hardwood floors get tracked onto carpeting by foot traffic, carpet fibers can be irreparably damaged or stained, and damaged fibers quickly decrease carpet lifespan. Consider laying down plastic on the floor for foot traffic and display proper signage directing people to stay on the plastic for their own health and safety as well as protecting flooring when using potentially harmful chemicals.” Protecting carpet from exposure to most any volume and type of liquid is imperative to a long carpet lifespan.
3. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Milano has worked with carpet and flooring for decades, and he advocates a best practice of prevention: “Implement preventative maintenance in the early years of a carpet’s life. This can include deep cleaning with carpet-healthy products designed to extend its use and making sure to vacuum in a pattern that keeps the fibers standing correctly. Many facility managers do not implement these steps until a visible spill or deterioration occurs, and by that point, it may be too late.” By initiating preventative maintenance early in a carpet’s life, a facility can nearly double a carpet’s lifespan, saving money in the long run.
4. Choose a carpet color you can commit to caring for. By nature, darker colors are easier to maintain in appearance than lighter colors, which will show stains sooner. Facility managers looking for low-maintenance flooring should consider darker colored carpet or non-carpeted flooring options, like hardwood or laminate. When selecting new commercial flooring products, consider the scope of maintenance and cleaning as part of the overall investment.
Employing strategies of routine cleaning and preventative floor care makes all the difference in the longevity of commercial carpeting and can save thousands of dollars in restoration and replacement down the line. At CCS Facility Services, our Carpet & Floor division is led by a team of seasoned professionals in carpet and flooring longevity, repair, and maintenance. We believe in continuous improvement at every level of our business, which is why our leadership actively pursues relevant accreditations and certifications. Visit our website to learn more about how our expert, dedicated floorcare services can add years to your facility’s flooring.