Salt residue can be equally damaging to your floors as it is unsightly — clean it up!
Boy, you really do forget how inconvenient a snowstorm like this can be. Sure, it looks all pretty as it’s falling, but the aftermath leaves something to be desired. Roads are still in less-than-ideal conditions, there’s gross slush everywhere, and we probably won’t see a whole lot of grass again for a little while. But that’s where the damage should stop, right? Heading indoors should be a place to warm up and be free of the inconvenience of the snow, but it’s more than likely that the effects of the storm follow you inside, particularly in high-traffic commercial areas like office buildings or medical offices. It’s inevitable that you and everyone else who walks into a building has also walked through parking lots or along sidewalks that have been covered in de-icing salts. As helpful as they are in making it easier and safer to drive and walk outside, de-icing salts do no such favors to indoor floors. Whether wood, laminated tile, or carpet, salt residue is a pain to clean up. Luckily, as a cleaning service, we have some handy tips for floor cleaning in the wake of a winter storm.
WHY You Need to Clean Salt Residue
Salt’s properties make it very corrosive to floors, both hard-surfaced and carpeted. If left too long, it will start to eat away at the surface and/or leave unsightly stains. The longer it goes untreated, the more damage will be done,
WHAT You Need to Clean Salt Residue
De-icing salts are an alkaline substance, meaning that they have a high pH. In order to effectively remove salt residue during floor cleaning, the key is to neutralize the pH, adding an acidic cleaning product to bring the pH to 7, or neutral. If you just have a small area that needs floor cleaning, warm water with a splash of vinegar (or ammonia and borax, if you have it on hand) will do the trick — about ⅓ cup of vinegar per gallon of water, or two tablespoons of ammonia and one of borax. If you have a larger area to tackle, or a heavy buildup of residue, it might be easier and more efficient for your business to call in a team of professionals. A360 has the expertise and materials to manage some heavy-duty floor cleaning.
Hardwood or Laminate Floor Cleaning
With hard-surfaced floors, the first step is to make sure that the floor is sealed before attacking the mess with acidic floor cleaning products. If you’re unsure, test a small portion of the floor before proceeding with the entire affected area. Once you’re sure you’re good to go, apply your floor cleaning solution to the dirty area, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and then mop it up with a microfiber mop. It’s important to absorb as much liquid as possible to prevent any remaining salt residue from hanging out on your floors — microfiber mops are great for absorption.
Carpet Floor Cleaning
Cleaning salt residue from carpet can be a bit more difficult. It’s certainly doable, but it’s most manageable in small areas. First vacuum very thoroughly to get any salt crystals that might seep further down when the liquid cleaning solution is applied. Then you’ll use the same water/vinegar solution, let it sit, and dab it up. If you have any significant area to clean, we recommend giving us a should to come give a professional carpet cleaning.
Remember, act fast before the salts destroy your floor and create need for expensive repairs! A little elbow grease on your end will help small areas, and a quick call will bring A360 out to take down bigger projects.
Contact A360 Cleaning Services Today!
At A 360 Cleaning, we specialize in commercial cleaning services for a number of different job sites. We know how important it is to keep a healthy and clean environment, which is why our staff is trained and equipped with the tools and techniques necessary to keep your building sanitary and safe. We also offer daily, weekly, and monthly services to ensure your building is cleaned when it is needed the most.
A 360 Cleaning offers commercial office cleaning services for the following areas:
- Anne Arundel County
- Baltimore County
- Baltimore City
- Howard County
- Prince George’s County
Want to get started with A 360 Cleaning? Have any questions about our services? Call us today at 410-852-5800 or visit our contact page! Feel free to inquire about a review for your space at no cost or obligation.
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Tags: commerical cleaning, floor cleaning, medical office cleaning, office cleaning, stain cleaning