Maintaining cleanliness in high-traffic areas is one of the most critical aspects of commercial spaces. Office lobbies, hallways, canteens, conference rooms, receptions, and communal spaces are prone to heavy and constant foot traffic. Proper cleaning and maintenance improve aesthetics and contribute to workplace hygiene. Here are essential tips and best practices for commercial cleaning, which include maintaining floors and other high-traffic areas.
Identify High-Traffic Zones
Before establishing a cleaning routine, it's essential to identify the high-traffic zones. These typically include:
Entrances and exits
Reception and waiting areas
Hallways and corridors
Elevators and staircases
Conference and IT rooms
Cafeterias, canteens, break rooms, pantries, and restrooms
Each area experiences varying degrees of foot traffic and requires specific cleaning techniques and frequencies. By prioritizing these areas, you can maintain cleanliness where it matters most.
2. Use the Right Cleaning Products
Different floor materials require different commercial cleaning solutions and techniques. Choosing cleaning products is crucial if you have hardwood, tile, carpet, vinyl, or concrete flooring. Using the wrong products can damage floors, reduce lifespan, and make them more susceptible to stains or wear. For example:
Carpeted floors
They should be cleaned with appropriate vacuums and carpet shampoos to remove dirt and allergens.
Hardwood floors
They require gentle cleaners that don't leave residues or cause water damage.
Tile and vinyl flooring
They can be cleaned with neutral pH cleaners that won't strip the finish or cause discoloration.
Concrete floors
They benefit from non-acidic, heavy-duty cleaners that manage stains and grime buildup.
Hire professional commercial cleaning specialists who have the expertise and use the right cleaning products. Experts can preserve the integrity of the flooring and ensure a deep clean without harming it.
3. Establish a Routine Cleaning Schedule
High-traffic areas require frequent cleaning to prevent dirt buildup, maintain hygiene, and extend the life of the floors. Establishing a routine cleaning schedule is vital to managing cleanliness consistently. Depending on the level of traffic, some areas may need daily cleaning. At the same time, others can be cleaned weekly or bi-weekly.
For example:
Daily tasks
It includes sweeping or vacuuming to remove loose dirt, wiping down spills immediately, and disinfecting high-touch areas.
Weekly tasks
It involves more thorough mopping or shampooing of carpets, depending on the floor type.
Monthly deep cleaning
It comprises waxing or buffing floors, steam cleaning carpets, and deep scrubbing tile grout.
Regular maintenance is integral to commercial cleaning. It prevents the accumulation of dirt and grime, ensuring that floors stay pristine.
4. Implement Preventive Measures
Preventing dirt and moisture from entering your building is one of the most effective ways to protect high-traffic floors. Here are some preventive measures you can implement:
Place entrance mats at all main entrances and exits to capture dirt, moisture, and debris from footwear. Ensure that these mats are cleaned regularly to remain effective.
Install signage to remind employees and visitors to wipe their feet before entering the premises.
By reducing the amount of dirt that enters the building, you can minimize the cleaning effort required for high-traffic areas.
5. Spot Clean as Needed
Spills, stains, dust, and dirt accumulate frequently in high-traffic areas. Spot cleaning can address these issues immediately before they become more challenging to remove.
Spot cleaning is essential, whether it's a coffee spill on the carpet or a scuff mark on a hardwood floor. It keeps high-traffic areas clean throughout the day.
Delegate the task to the commercial cleaning experts. They use effective cleaners suitable for the specific flooring type. For example, a quick application of a carpet stain remover can prevent permanent staining on carpets. A microfiber cloth and mild cleaner do the trick for tile or vinyl floors.
6. Invest in Professional Cleaning Services
While daily maintenance is essential, hiring a professional commercial cleaning service ensures that your high-traffic areas are deeply cleaned. They also use the latest tools and techniques. Professionals have the expertise to handle different flooring types and can provide advanced cleaning methods, such as:
Steam cleaning for carpets and upholstery
Stripping and waxing for hard floors like vinyl and tile
Polishing and buffing for hardwood floors
Pressure washing for concrete surfaces
Professional cleaners use high-quality equipment and commercial-grade cleaning solutions to achieve a level of cleanliness that is difficult to match with in-house efforts.
7. Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces
High-traffic areas also feature high-touch surfaces. These are doorknobs, elevator buttons, light switches, and handrails. These areas are hotspots for disease-causing germs and bacteria and should be disinfected regularly.
