Carpeting is a fundamental must-have for a variety of different commercial and public facilities. It protects the floor, insulates the room, and often raises feelings of comfort and warmth. In recent years, eco-friendly designers and facility managers have increasingly looked for ways to extend the life of carpeting. According to reports, an estimated 4.7 billion pounds of carpet is disposed into landfills each year. Alarmingly, that volume of material may take up to 1,000 or more years to decompose. In this light, the bottom line is not the only thing affected when facilities are forced to change-out carpet floors.
Fortunately, there are several things that facility managers and property owners can do to extend the life of carpeted floors. Following these tips is not just a method of delaying the inevitable costs of re-carpeting floors, but it can also help facilities reduce waste and environmental impact (EI).
Keeping Carpet Floors Clean
Follow these 4 tips to keep carpet floors cleaner, longer.
1. Don’t underestimate the importance of daily maintenance.
Generally speaking, a vacuum cleaner is the best tool for regular carpet maintenance. Carpets should be vacuumed frequently to remove dirt and grime before they have a chance to set. It’s recommended that a cleaning staff be hired to clean heavily trafficked areas regularly. An industrial-grade vacuum is not always necessary. However, the vacuum should be large and powerful enough to adequately remove dirt. Moreover, a vacuum with a “high carpet” and “low carpet” setting is recommended for facilities with more than one type of carpeting.
2. Immediately spot-clean, when necessary.
Spot-cleaning refers to simply cleaning spills and spots as soon as they form. This has at least 2 main benefits. First, it lifts liquids and soil before they have a chance to stain and permanently damage the fibers in the carpet. Second, it keeps carpets professional in appearance, which will make them last longer from an aesthetic design perspective. In both cases, spot cleaning helps to extend the life of the facility’s carpeting.
3. Stop dirt, grime, & bacteria with entry mats and runners.
Next, turn your attention to major points of entry and exit. These are the areas from which a majority of dirt, debris, and moisture will enter. Then, take proactive measures to limit the amount of dirt and debris that is able to enter the facility. This is best accomplished with entryway mats and runners that cover a large floor area. In general, guests should be able to take at least 3 full strides on the entry mats or runners. This gives the texture mat adequate time to scrape and trap debris from shoes. The bigger and longer, the better.
4. Deep clean as needed.
Finally, deep clean carpets on a regular basis to continually remove deep-set soil, liquids, and bacteria. Deep clean both carpeted floors as well as entryway mats and runners, as dirt and debris can become lodged deep within both.
Shop Entry Mats & Runners
Shop entry mats and runners on Eaglemat.com to find the perfect safety solutions for your business. Stop dirt and grime at the door, and keep your carpet floors clean, plush, and pristine long into the future. For order assistance or product information, speak with an Eagle Mat sales representative at 1-877-333-1018.
