Use and Care Manual
Commercial Deep Cleaning
Commercial cleaning can present its own challenges due to the high traffic nature of most applications and exposure to foreign debris that a standard residential application may not be subject to.
Commercial floors must be maintained properly to ensure the longevity of an application.
Always remember:
In addition to following standard cleaning protocol for your product type, also consider the following:
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Floors need to be kept as dry as possible after cleaning to prevent slip accidents
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When mopping, the water should be changed frequently so you are not pushing around muddy water
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Scrubbing the floors too often with a buffer may cause irregular wear patterns
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Always be sure to protect furniture legs and stanchions with felt pads to protect the floors from scratching
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Chewing gum, grease and other debris difficult to remove may require use of a plastic putty knife
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Prior to removing graffiti and other difficult stains, test a small area to make sure the chemical agents will not damage the surface.
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For embedded stains, the use of a poultice mix may be required
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When electing to remove nano coatings, a nano scrub or poultice type product may be used
Standard deep cleaning guidelines:
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Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the floor. For wall surfaces, tile can be gently wiped down with a clean, dry cloth or rag.
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Mix a high concentration cleaner, degreaser, or stripper as needed based on manufacturer’s guidelines for periodic deep cleaning.
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Agitate with scrub brush or floor scrub machine.
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Mop up dirty solution. A wet/dry vac may be used in large areas.
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Rinse thoroughly with clean water, changing water every 500 sq. ft. or as needed.
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Drying with a clean cloth or rag as well as a final dry vac extraction is recommended to increase the shine, prevent water spots and streaks, and to prevent slip accidents in a commercial setting.
Cleaning Grout
There are many grouts on the market today that are stain resistant and do not require a sealer. However, not all grouts will have these characteristics and special care must be taken to ensure
product performance is not compromised due to exposer to harsh cleaners.
Always remember:
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Clean tile and stone regularly according to standard cleaning guidelines. Anything safe for the tile will typically be safe for your grout. PH neutral cleaners are highly recommended. Mopping
dirty tiles will cause muddy water to get stuck in the grout joints, so keeping tiles cleaned regularly will improve the look of the grout.
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Be careful with acidic foods, drinks and dyes as they may stain certain types of grout.
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Never use cleaners that contain ammonia, acids, or bleach. Some stains may be set so deep in the grout that bleach may be the only thing to get your grout clean. Bleaching causes the pores of
the grout to open and hold dirt even more. As such, sealing after bleaching is highly recommended.
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Prolonged use of bleach and ammonia based products may cause the grout to become brittle over time and in wet applications may result in water damage due to cracking and deterioration.
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Sealing grout prevents staining. Sealers are not chemical proof and may break down from continued exposure to harsh household chemical cleaners.
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It is suggested that a breathable penetrating sealer be applied before and after grouting. This treatment provides an excellent defense against staining, mold and mildew. Follow the
sealing manufacturer’s guidelines for recommendations on how often a sealer should be reapplied.
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Tend to spills quickly. Sealers do not prevent 100% of damages caused by spills.
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A medium bristle brush can be used to scrub the grout joints
Standard cleaning guidelines for grout:
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Sweep, brush, or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the surface. For wall surfaces, grout can be gently wiped down with a clean, dry cloth or rag.
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Mop, brush, or sponge the surface with a mild detergent, degreaser, or tile cleaning solution.
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Rinse the grout thoroughly with clean water to remove any left-over detergents.
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Drying with a clean cloth or rag is recommended to prevent water spots or streaks on the tile.
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Reseal grout periodically as needed.
Pre and post grout install tips:
Using a grout release or sealer prior to installation is recommended especially for product that is porous or has a textured surface. Often times grout particles may become trapped and difficult
to clean during the standard grouting process and the use of a rag or sponge may not pull up all the grout haze. Using a grout release and/or sealer will help prevent this from happening. Also
important to note is that grout haze left on the surface of a tile will become difficult to remove and the chemicals needed to remove it at a later time may damage the tile or alter its looks. Heavy
duty grout haze removers should be used according to the grout manufacturer’s recommendations before trying more concentrated acid solutions.