Professional, systematic cleaning & care contributes significantly to extending the life of floor coverings. It is also one of the most important tasks in contract cleaning. This applies primarily to the deep cleaning or stripping of resilient floor coverings.
It is often hard to tell at first glance the difference between the two types of flooring by their colour and structure. To avoid damage to the floor covering through highly alkaline cleaning agents, the so-called paperclip test is recommended prior to deep cleaning/ stripping.
“Once the coating residue is completely dissolved, the next step is to vacuum the dirty water using the scrubber drier – section by section. This is much faster than the conventional method using the wet and dry vacuum cleaner and also saves time.”
Process of testing
Deep cleaning with single-disc
One of the two working methods for deep cleaning or stripping involves the use of a low-speed single-disc machine, e.g. BRS 43/180 C. At 180 rpm, a high torque is applied to the surface to be cleaned. In addition, the machine is fitted with a detergent tank, a supplementary weight and a pad carrier with green pad.
The loose dirt is initially removed with a brush or vacuum cleaner. For linoleum, the all-round basic cleaning agent RM 754 ASF (pH 10.5) is applied in sections with the singledisc machine. During the contact time (about 10 minutes), the floor covering is scrubbed several times using strong, overlapping, circular motions. The dosage varies between 10-20% (may be higher from case to case), depending on the coating thickness.
When applying and processing, it should be ensured that the agent does not dry. Otherwise, the residual coating dissolving process slows down. It is therefore recommended to clean in sections and reapply cleaning agent if required. The hand pad can be used for corners and edges that cannot be reached by the machine. Once the coating residue is completely dissolved, the next step is to remove the dirty water using a powerful, large wet and dry vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, a scrubber drier with roller scrubber head fitted with green roller pads could be used.
Deep cleaning with a scrubber drier
Initially, the basic cleaning agent (for PVC: intensive deep cleaner with pH 13.2 and for linoleum: all-round basic cleaning agent with pH 10.5) is applied in straight sections with a small overlap. During the contact time, the prepared surface is cleaned several times crosswise with the scrubber drier. If required, more cleaning agent could be applied in order to prevent the agent from drying.
A very good stripping result is achieved through the strong and uniform contact pressure (up to 210 g/ cm2) over the entire working width, high speed (1100 rpm) and excellent floor contact (roller pads). Thanks to the consistent efficiency of the green roller pads as a result of the self cleaning effect, the stripping process is significantly shorter.
Once the coating residue is completely dissolved, the next step is to vacuum the dirty water using the scrubber drier — section by section. This is much faster than the conventional method using the wet and dry vacuum cleaner and also saves time.
The floor covering is subsequently rinsed again with clear water with the scrubber drier adding clear water using the one-step method. Additional mechanical processing using roller technology ensures that any detergent residue is optimally removed from the floor covering so that the risk of “powdering” of the new coating through the detergent residue is prevented. The floor must subsequently be allowed to dry.
The drying time for the natural product linoleum is minimum 12 hours, preferably 24 hours due to a risk of the new coating separating from the floor covering (powdering) where there is residual moisture. For this purpose, the AB 20 air blower can be used with sufficient ventilation. This halves the drying time.
Coating
The coating material must be shaken well before use and then applied undiluted in “puddles” to the cleaned and dried floor covering.
The respective material must subsequently be distributed carefully and evenly using an “applicator” or wide mop. It is recommended to apply the product transversely to the light and spread it lengthways. This ensures that the product is applied evenly. Depending on the absorbency of the substrate and level of wear, it is recommended to apply the coating a second time.
Maintenance cleaning can take place manually or using a machine with Wiper Care Extra RM 780 in a dosage of 0.5-3 %, depending on the degree of soiling
Also to be noted: older floor coverings have the tendency to absorb the first coating to a large extent. The first coating can be walked on carefully after about one hour in order to apply the second coating. The floor covering can be walked on after two to three hours. The coating is dry and fully resilient initially after 24 hours.
Maintenance cleaning
Refreshing / polishing
Light scratches or heel marks can easily be removed by spraying the cleaning agent mainly on the marks undiluted and then polished with either a high-speed machine for water gloss or a high-speed single-disc machine for matt gloss. Alternatively, a scrubber drier with white, soft brushes (alternatively horsehair brushes) or yellow roller pads could be used.
Owing to the production materials used, PVC and linoleum place different demands on cleaning and maintenance, which should take place using a scrubber drier with roller scrubber head. These cover all floor care needs:
- Deep cleaning / stripping
- Neutralisation
- Maintenance cleaning
- Polishing
The area performance is significantly increased by using scrubber driers with the appropriate water capacity and working width of the roller scrubber head, which is provided with brushes or pads. This significantly reduces cleaning time and manpower. As a result, this saves costs and increases efficiency.
Gerd Heidrich, Training Instructor,Alfred Kärcher-Vertriebs GmbH
Niels W. Buhrke,
Freelance Journalist