Best Way to Mop Commercial Floors

Commercial floors are a huge investment in commercial establishments, and they differ from one establishment to the next because of the amount of traffic they see daily.  From hardwood floors, tile floors, ceramic tile floors, and commercial carpet floors, all these call for different ways to mop them and maintain clean commercial flooring because they all have different cleaning needs.

And with that, let's take a look into the different ways you can keep your business floors clean and spotless!

Why Do You Need to Deep Clean Commercial Flooring?

Floors are what your customers walk on and use to get around your establishment. You might not be conscious of this, but floors make the first impression of your business, and if they're not clean, they can give off a really bad first impression. Moreover, a commercial floor is what your prospective sales will be standing on to make your business grow, so you need to ensure that they are in tip-top shape and in the best condition!

And since floors are basically what we call "high-traffic areas," they are constantly being stepped on and are more susceptible to dirt, dust, and other particles that can make them look dirty. If you have a food business, there's also the risk of spills that can leave stains on your floor.

That is why it is important to clean your floors regularly and deep clean them to ensure that they are free of dirt, dust, and other particles that can make them look dirty. Picture this: going into a store with sticky, dusty, or muddy floors. Would you want to buy anything from that store? Most likely not!

On the other hand, if you go into a store and see clean floors, it would give off the impression that the establishment is also clean and well-maintained. This would give customers a good impression of your business, leading to more sales. So make it a point to set aside time after the work day and before the work day starts to clean those floors!

Equipment Used to Clean Commercial Flooring

Before you start scrubbing and mopping away, prepare these needed tools and equipment to make sure you do a thorough job!

Mop

How are you supposed to mop your floors without a mop? But make sure the mop you choose is sturdy, and the head can be either replaced or cleaned easily! Having a dirty mop head will defeat the purpose of mopping. You can also have microfiber mops, a string mop, or a sponge mop, depending on your preference and what type of floor you have.

• Microfiber mops - best for hardwood floors because they don't leave streaks
• String mops - ideal for tile and ceramic floors because they can reach into the nooks and crannies
• Sponge mops - good for all kinds of floors but make sure that the sponge is not too abrasive

Mop Bucket

A, mop of course, needs to have a mop bucket! You will need to wring out the dirty water after a few passes of mopping to avoid streaking or leaving water marks on your floors. You can also use a foot pedal to open and close the mop bucket, so you don't have to put your hands in dirty water.

Cleaning Solution

This will vary depending on what kind of floor you are cleaning. What's important is that the cleaning solution fits the flooring type and that it doesn't destroy the flooring itself. In addition, it needs to be strong enough to remove scuffs, rinse out dirt, and ensure that your flooring doesn't turn into a breeding ground for germs and other bacteria.

Vacuum Cleaner

Not all flooring types will call for a vacuum cleaner, but it can come in handy if needed. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a steam cleaning function for an extra deep clean, especially for places with a lot of foot traffic. A wet vacuum would be great, too!

Wet Floor Signs

This is a must if you are going to be mopping your floors! You don't want anyone accidentally slipping on a wet floor, so make sure to put up signs that will warn people.

Broom or Dust Mop

Before you start mopping up your floors, make sure that you sweep away the dust with a broom or a dust mop. Mopping straight away will push around the dirt and make your floors even dirtier, so make sure to sweep first!

Degreaser

If you have a kitchen with tile flooring, you will definitely need a degreaser to eliminate all the grease and oil that can build up on your floors.

Floor Scrubber

For tough stains or when you just want to give your floors an extra scrub, you will need a floor scrubber. You can choose a manual or an electric one, depending on your preference and what is available to you.

Now that you know what equipment and solutions you need, it's time to get mopping!

Mopping Commercial Floors

We've already mentioned that different types of floors require different types of cleaning solutions and methods, so we'll go over that again here in detail:

Commercial Tile Floors

Tile floors are one of the most popular choices for commercial spaces because they are durable and easy to clean. However, they can also be slippery when wet, so it is important to use a non-slip cleaner when mopping them. Some tile floors will also have grout so make sure to clean that as well!

To mop and keep the tile clean, start by sweeping the floor to get rid of any dirt or debris. Then, mix your chosen cleaning solution with water in a bucket and dip your mop in. Make sure to wring out the mop so that it's not dripping wet and then start mopping in a back and forth motion. Once you're done, let the floor air dry or use a dry mop to dry it off.

How to Clean Tile Grout

1. Mix together one part baking soda and half-part hydrogen peroxide with 1tbsp of dish soap. Using white vinegar with water can also work. Put the mixture into a clean, empty spray bottle and spritz it all over the dirty grout.
2. Lay that mixture on top of your grout and let it sit for half an hour.
3. Scrub the grout vigorously, releasing all the dirt accumulated in the grout.
4. Rinse off the grout with warm water.

How to Clean Tile Floors

1. Sweep away all dust and dirt using a broom or a dust mop.
2. Lay out your mopping area, so you don't end up stepping on the areas you've mopped already.
3. Prepare your cleaning solution. Make sure to use a mild detergent to avoid any corrosion on your tiles.
4. Start mopping in one direction. If your tiles have visible grout, use a string mop instead of a sponge mop.
5. For the drying process, you can either let it dry on its own or go over it with a microfiber mop.

Hardwood floors

Commercial hardwood floors are another popular choice for commercial spaces because they are attractive and easy to maintain. However, they can be scratched easily, so it is important to use a soft-bristled brush or mop head when cleaning them.

How to Clean Hardwood Floors

1. Sweep any dirt or dust with a broom.
2. Plan out your mopping direction. Start from the farthest corner of the room and work your way out.
3. Prepare your hardwood floors specific cleaner. Make sure the cleaner you are using is made for hardwood floors. If not, you risk having the wood tarnish or even break.
4. Mop in one direction using a microfiber mop. String or sponge mops absorb too much liquid and can cause deterioration on your hardwood floors.
5. Let the floor completely dry, and apply a layer of floor wax to seal it in.

Carpet floors

Carpet floors are another rather high-maintenance flooring type, but they add so much character and aesthetics to a commercial space. Maintaining them calls for a bit more TLC, but if done correctly and with routine maintenance, they will last long.

How to Clean Carpet Floors

1. Vacuum your carpet floors in one direction
2. If there are spots with stains, apply your spot treatment cleaner as per instructions, and repeat if needed. Note that cleaning a carpet with liquid will call for a spray bottle in order to get the liquid onto it.
3. Steam clean your carpet, ensuring the water being sucked up runs clear at the end.
   
   

Vinyl Composition Tile

Vinyl composition tile is a great and cost-effective option for commercial spaces. Vinyl floors are easy to install and maintain, which makes them a popular choice for many business owners.

How to Clean Vinyl Floors

1. Sweep up the floors before mopping.
2. Prepare your cleaning solution of mild detergent and water.
3. If you're mopping with mop heads that are too saturated with the cleaning solution, it can make the floor wet rather than clean.
4. Let it air dry, or you can go over it with a clean microfiber mop.

Hiring Professional Cleaners

When cleaning commercial spaces, one thing you always need to assess first is--can we do it ourselves? If your space is too big for your current staff, then hiring professional cleaners would be the way to go. Although if you're running a small mom-and-pop shop, then you can most likely DIY the deep cleaning of your floors.

Nonetheless, hiring professional cleaners is a great way to save time. Some flooring options like carpet and hardwood can be a bit daunting to clean, knowing how much they cost, so hiring someone to clean them for you would be a great choice knowing that the people who are doing the cleaning are well trained and know how to give proper care for your floors.

Just make sure that the professional cleaners you hire are well versed and equipped to clean the floors that you have to avoid any problems and issues, and also be there when they do the cleaning! It would be best that you watch and monitor that they get the job done and right! Being there would also help them map out problem areas they might not see right away, especially for carpet flooring.

Budget-Friendly Options

You can often find recipes online to make your own cleaning solution that will work just as well (if not better) than the store-bought ones.

So, what are some other ways to clean your commercial floors on a budget?

Mix Your Own Cleaning Solution

A lot of the time, you can find recipes online to make your own cleaning solution that will work just as well (if not better) than the store-bought ones. All you need is some water, vinegar, or even water and baking soda! Mix together equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, water, and half a teaspoon of liquid dish soap to one gallon of water to mop up your tile and vinyl floors!

DIY Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Hardwood floors are porous and call for a cleaner that is a bit thicker but less acidic. Mix together with one-gallon water, three-fourths cup of olive oil, and one half cup of lemon juice. This will give your hardwood floors a shine and a nice lemony scent!

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your commercial floors doesn't have to be a daunting task, and it also doesn't have to be too costly. There are definitely ways that you can clean your floors on a budget, whether it's making your own cleaning solution or hiring professional cleaners. Just make sure that you're prepared with the right tools and solutions for the job to avoid damaging the floor or causing injuries. Always test cleaners in a small area before using them on the entire floor, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe and effective use. Lastly, make sure that the cleaning solution that you're using is made specifically for your floor type!

So know that you know how to clean your floors, take a look at yours and get sweeping and mopping away!