So that your resin floor remains in-line with occupational health and safety requirements imposed by Australian standards, it is best to employ an appropriate cleaning regimen. The manufacturers (and less often installers) of resin flooring usually have their own guidelines, from frequency of cleaning to the use of the right products. But having guidelines and following them are two different things, so we thought it prevalent to share some top-level tips on how to keep your floor clean with the right methods as well as recommended tools and cleaning agents.
Recommended Resin Cleaning Methods
There are two common yet highly effective methods used to properly clean epoxy resin flooring and other similar surfaces. The first one is called manual scrubbing, which involves 1) sweeping of the floor to remove accumulated dirt and loose debris; 2) diluting the appropriate cleaning agent (i.e. detergent, see next section) 3) manual scrubbing (by hand) using a brush or a pad; 4) rinsing of the floor with water; 5) draining dirty water and drying of the surface with a squeegee.The second method requires the use of a steam cleaner or a pressure washer. This procedure is basically the same as the mechanical method but instead of using a brush to clean the floor after the application of a cleaning agent, you use a steam cleaner after steps 1 and 2 are complete. You have to take note, however, that using a pressure washer or a steam cleaner requires proper training and cautious usage as the equipment is powerful and can cause damage to the floor or the operator if handled improperly.
Resin-Friendly Cleaning Products
An integral part in resin maintenance is the usage of a cleaning agent for effective cleaning and maintenance. But what are the common products which you should consider using on your resin floors? Check out the list.- Commercial Detergent – perfect for general and simple flooring cleaning. Diluted with water, it creates foam easily, which in turn, helps in loosening dirt and impurities stuck on the floor. A detergent is also good in trapping the dirt in the solution, making it easy for you to contain the filth and remove them effectively with a subsequent water rinse.
- Failure to remove the detergent properly however, can make the floor slippery, so it is essential that rinsing is done thoroughly.
- Deodoriser – designed to get rid of odour and bacteria from the floor. This cleaning agent is works best for sterilisation and disinfection purposes, and is therefore perfect for use in food service areas, hospitals, and the other similar spaces.
- Degreasers and emulsifier – used in removing oils, greases, and other water-insoluble substances. They usually contain hydrocarbon solvents, which facilitate oils and the like to effortlessly mix with water, thus easily eradicating residues which are both slippery and harmful to the floor, without hassle.
General Tips
- Always conduct a spot test in a non-prominent area when using a new cleaning agent.
- Always dilute the cleaning agent in the recommended quantities before applying it the floor.
- Immediately wipe off spilled liquid with a mop and a bucket in order to keep your floor in good condition as well as to prevent accidents in the area.
- Never mix cleaning chemicals and agents as this can be harmful both to human beings and to the floor.
- Do not flood the floor when cleaning it with water. Excessive water can damage it.
- High-traffic areas should be cleaned more than other spaces in your premises.
- To maintain the antistatic qualities of your flooring, make sure to conduct routine test methods, with recommendations from your installer or manufacturer.
- Always consult with the professionals to identify the right kind of cleaning equipment and process to utilise for your flooring.
But we hope, that iy keeping all these tips in mind, especially when it comes to using the right cleaning agents and tools, your flooring will retain its original condition. If you have any doubts, or think you may have damaged your floor already, why not get me or one of our team on site to have a chat? Get in touch with us today!