When potential clients reach out for cleaning service proposals, a common concern often mentioned is the dissatisfaction building owners feel toward lackluster, damaged flooring, sometimes even more than the dislike for messy restrooms and break rooms.
This reaction shouldn’t be surprising to anyone who thinks about their own experiences. Think about the places you visit—doctor’s offices, grocery stores, department stores, restaurants. Do you notice when the floors shine? Do you notice if they look dull or dirty?
This article explores vinyl composite tile (VCT) flooring, explaining what it’s made of and providing insights into effective ways to keep it looking good.
So, what exactly is VCT flooring?
Vinyl composite tiles are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chips pressed into solid sheets through heat and pressure. Even though the surface of VCT may feel smooth because of wax, it’s actually porous. This means it can easily collect dirt and grit. That’s why it’s crucial to regularly apply and maintain a sufficient amount of wax coating on this type of tile.
How can you make sure VCT floors stay clean? Here are some tips:
Place walk-off mats strategically to catch dirt and grit from people’s shoes, reducing the abrasion caused by foot traffic. In places like industrial settings, it’s especially important to have mats at entry and exit points. While the mats won’t catch everything, regularly replacing them and vacuuming them nightly can significantly improve their effectiveness.
A good way to prevent floor dullness is to regularly remove dust and dirt using a microfiber mop. Microfiber materials are great at trapping debris. After that, use a damp mop with a mild soap to get rid of any remaining dirt. In areas with a lot of foot traffic, damp mopping should happen every day, while areas with lighter traffic may need less frequent attention.
To bring back the shine to VCT floors, occasional buffing is necessary. Floor buffers create shine by smoothing the surface of the tile, making it reflect more light. Over time, daily foot traffic and other factors can create small scratches and pits on the surface. Buffing, with an abrasive pad and heat, can smooth out these imperfections and create a more reflective surface.
As time goes on, the wax on VCT floors wears off due to scratching, pitting, and buffing. To restore the surface, it’s important to strip off the old wax and apply several layers of new wax. The frequency of this restoration process depends on factors like how much traffic the area gets. Generally, for places with medium to high traffic, an annual floor restoration is recommended.
With consistent care and a proactive maintenance plan, VCT floors can look good for a long time.
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