feature carpet care
Prolong the life of carpeting It’s no surprise that flooring is one asset that regularly requires maintenance. Soft flooring like carpeting is susceptible to frequent soiling and staining, especially in high-traffic settings like retail stores, airports, libraries and convention centres. Every day, building occupants and visitors track loose dirt and wet contaminants like water and mud into the facility. Keeping these soils from impacting the look of carpeting is crucial.
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earn more about best practices for prolonging the life of your flooring and upholding your brand image as detailed by GSF, a global cleaning services company that delivers clean environments.
The case for clean carpeting Clean carpeting is aesthetically pleasing and sets the tone for every customer’s visit. Research shows that dirty carpets can lead to reputational damage and other problematic outcomes for organisations. According to a 2020 survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of carpet care system manufacturer Whittaker, 93 percent of Americans say dirty carpets would negatively impact their perception of a business. Thus, organisations risk upsetting and losing the majority of their customer base if they do not have a dedicated approach to carpet care in place.
Additionally, 56 percent would look for an alternative facility to visit, leading to lost business that may be difficult to recoup. Half would spend less time in the facility. In facilities where goods and services are sold, like retail stores, hotels and convention centres, less time in the facility often translates to fewer sales.
Tips for five-star flooring Keep carpet clean and extend its lifespan by implementing the following best practices:
Install entrance matting Entrance matting is carpet’s first line of defence against soils because it removes the majority of contaminants from guests’ shoes before they reach carpeted flooring. It is much easier and cost-effective to remove and clean matting than it is to clean carpets constantly. Install entrance matting at entrances and allow for several metres to give visitors ample space to wipe and scrape the soles of their shoes.
It is easier to conduct more thorough carpet cleaning if you vacuum regularly to remove embedded soils from carpet fibres. While your vacuuming schedule will vary depending on foot traffic and typical weather patterns, it is recommended to do so consistently. The survey revealed exactly how facility visitors would respond upon seeing dirty carpeting. More than half of US adults (58%) would assume the facility is not clean. In the wake of the pandemic, customers must believe in your facility’s commitment to maintaining clean environments.
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African Cleaning Review September/October 2021
Matting is a year-round essential, though it is most crucial during wet seasons when moisture and grime become stuck in shoe treads.
Vacuum regularly It is easier to conduct more thorough carpet cleaning if you vacuum
The Whiz
regularly to remove embedded soils from carpet fibres. While your vacuuming schedule will vary depending on foot traffic and typical weather patterns, it is recommended to do so consistently. This could mean daily or every other day. Thanks to improvements in technology, vacuuming is more efficient than ever. Consider implementing an autonomous vacuum sweeper that not only delivers a high-quality clean but proof of performance. GSF USA rely on Whiz from SoftBank Robotics, powered by BrainOS, an operating system from robotics industry leader Brain Corp. Robotic vacuuming allows employees to focus on other high-priority tasks while floor care is completed.
Address stains as soon as possible Spills are inevitable, but stains don’t have to be. Train custodial professionals to be on the lookout for spills throughout their shifts so these can
