It’s key to prep your floors for summer; take a look for best practices in this guide.
Summer can be a hard time of year for your business’s flooring. Heat, humidity, and increased foot traffic can all take a toll on your floors. Whether you have hardwood, carpet, tile, or vinyl, implementing effective summer floor care strategies can prevent damage and keep your floors looking their best. Here are essential summer floor care tips to help your business manage the seasonal changes effectively.
Control Indoor Humidity Levels
Summer typically brings higher humidity, which can be particularly harsh on wood and laminate floors. Excess moisture in the air can cause these materials to swell, warp, or even grow mold. To combat this, you should maintain indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50%. Using dehumidifiers and air conditioners helps regulate air moisture and also creates a more comfortable environment for your clients and staff.
Use the Right Mats and Rugs
Placing high-quality mats and rugs at all entry points is an important step in summer floor care. During summer, people often track in more dirt, sand, and water from the outdoors, which can scratch or stain flooring. Invest in mats with excellent absorbent qualities and dirt-trapping capabilities. Ensure these mats are also stable on the floor to prevent slip-and-fall accidents. It’s beneficial to choose mats that are easy to clean and quick to dry, as this will help maintain their effectiveness throughout the busy summer months.
Apply the Correct Polish and Varnish
For businesses with hardwood or tile floors, maintaining a proper finish is vital to protecting the surface from wear and tear. Summer months might require a fresh application of polish or varnish to protect the floor’s durability and appearance. Ensure the finish layer is of the correct depth to seal the floor from moisture and dirt penetration effectively. Choose high-quality, commercial-grade products that can handle heavy foot traffic and resist UV damage, which is more prominent during sunny summer days. If you need assistance choosing the right products for your floor, consider asking experts on our Kleen Team for top industry recommendations.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Increased activity during summer means your floors will likely get dirty faster. Establish a regular cleaning schedule to manage the buildup of dirt, dust, and debris. Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping should be done more frequently depending on the volume of foot traffic. For carpets, consider professional deep cleaning to remove embedded dirt and refresh the fibers. Remember, quick attention to spills and stains prevents them from setting in and becoming more difficult to remove later. When you work with KleenMark, you can have a team on-site to help with the daily cleaning processes and any extra maintenance your floors may need in the summer months.
Check for Signs of Wear and Tear
Summer is a good time to inspect your floors for any signs of wear and tear that might have occurred during the colder months. Look for cracks, splits, loose tiles, or areas where the finish is worn away. Early detection and repair of these issues can prevent further damage and potentially costly repairs. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas and entry points where most wear is likely to occur.
Protect Flooring from Direct Sunlight
The harsh summer sun can fade and damage certain types of flooring materials, such as wood and carpet. Use curtains, blinds, or solar films on windows to block out UV rays during peak hours. This not only extends the life of your floors but also helps keep your premises cooler.
Implement a Floor Care Plan
Lastly, a structured floor care plan can make your maintenance efforts more systematic and effective. This plan should outline the type of care each kind of flooring needs, the frequency of deep cleans, and a schedule for reapplying finishes. When you work with KleenMark, you’ll have our expert recommendations on a custom floor plan for your business.
Effective summer floor care is essential for keeping your business premises safe and appealing; well-cared-for floors can improve the aesthetics of your space and contribute to a positive customer experience. For more information on how KleenMark can help care for your floors this summer, reach out to our team for more information.