Commercial carpets are created for heavy-duty use but they still need proper cleaning and maintenance. By taking good care of the carpets in your office, store or commercial facility, you’ll be extending their lifespan exponentially.

The big question is how often should you get commercial carpets cleaned? The answer may come as a surprise.

The answer depends mainly on the type of commercial facility that you’re operating. The carpet cleaning suggestions for an office and a retail store are quite different. 

Depending on the number of employees that an office has, a commercial carpet should be cleaned professionally approximately every six months. This doesn’t refer to vacuum cleaning, which should happen on a weekly basis.

In retail stores, carpets have to be washed every three months. If the place is a very high-traffic business, more frequent carpet cleaning could also be beneficial. Proper cleaning will preserve the colors and the beautiful appearance of the carpet, creating a welcoming place for clients to enjoy.

Restaurants and bars are also classified as high-traffic businesses. Quarterly carpet cleaning and washing will be recommended.

Finally, industrial facilities need to have their carpets cleaned depending on their activities. Facilities that deal with oils and other pollutants, for example, may need to have their carpets cleaned much more frequently than all of the other businesses already mentioned in the article. Even if the business works with harsh substances, proper cleaning and carpet protection can extend the lifespan of the carpet and prevent unnecessary replacements.

You’re probably already getting an idea that carpet cleaning frequency depends both on the facility and the types of pollutants. Some substances can deteriorate carpet fibers, contributing to a shabby appearance.

Some of the most damaging pollutants include salt and ice treatment chemicals, residual oil, dirt and grit that will get trapped inside the fibers, sand and all kinds of chemicals used in gardening or manufacturing.

If your carpets are frequently exposed to such substances, professional cleaning every three months will be the optimal approach towards keeping them healthy and stain-free.

To reduce the number of commercial cleanings needed, you’ll have to get in the habit of taking proper care of your carpets:

• Vacuum cleaning: vacuuming carpets while extract sand, dirt and grime from between the fibers. The carpets should be vacuumed on a weekly basis and even more frequently in high-traffic areas.
• Door mats: this is probably the simplest and most effective option for keeping carpets clean. By positioning door mats everywhere, you’ll encourage people to clean their shoes before entering the premises.
• Be careful when moving equipment around: dragging chairs, desks and heavy equipment around will damage the carpets and get the dirt lodged deep inside. When having to do such relocations, it’s always a better idea to lift the items.
• No food and drink rules: no food and drink rules should be implemented for your customers to prevent spills. When it comes to employees, foods and drinks should be consumed solely in the kitchen or the area designated for having a break, a lunch or a cup of coffee.
• Use furniture leg caps and pads: leg caps and mats are known as floor protectors. These are great for keeping hardwood floors free from damage and they’ll also work for carpets. Heavy duty carpet mats can also be positioned underneath bulkier items to keep them in place and to maintain the carpet underneath in pristine condition.

The considerations here aren’t just aesthetical. Clean carpets have a much more practical purpose, which is why you have to make sure yours are grime, dirt and stain-free.

A clean carpet can act as a filter inside your office or store. Its fibers have the ability to “trap” small and microscopic particles contributing to poor air quality. Needless to say, a carpet that’s filled with dirt and dust will make the air dirtier, as well.

Deep cleaning removes the risk of carpets making the air quality poorer. This is why you have to choose the right company for the job. You’ll also need to find information about the products used in carpet cleaning. The types of detergents and the procedures themselves are as important, as the frequency of having your carpets deep-cleaned.

Choosing the right carpet for your business venue will obviously determine its longevity. Apart from picking the right quality, however, you should also put emphasis on professional cleaning. Doing it frequently will enable you to enjoy the carpet for a longer period of time, it will enhance the interior design of your store or office and it will also improve the indoor air quality. These are just some of the reasons why you should start putting a bit more effort in commercial carpet maintenance right now.

By Cliff Derksen
Owner of First Impressions Janitorial

Have you gotten your business ready for winter? If you’re scratching your head at this point and wondering what winterizing your business is all about, chances are that you’re not prepared for the cold months.

A couple of adjustments and preparations will create the perfect atmosphere during the winter, boosting productivity and making employees feel really cozy in their workplace. Most of these changes are relatively easy to implement, if you’re aware of the main challenges stemming from the cold weather.

Winter storms, heavy rainfall (and snowfall), strong winds and other extreme weather conditions could cause damage to your facilities. This is why you need to get the right insurance or renew an expiring policy before the start of winter.

There are various types of insurance that business owners should consider, some of them being more important than others. Property insurance will provide coverage in the case of building damage. In addition, some of these policies will also cover losses stemming from damaged equipment and inventory.
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Commercial auto insurance is another good idea because the harsh weather conditions and the riskier driving during the winter may also lead to some serious problems. It’s better to get a bit more insurance than what you think you need in order to 100 percent safe.

The substances used to treat streets and sidewalks against ice (salt being one of the most common picks) can easily be brought inside the office. Though these substances and chemicals aren’t damaging to asphalt and concrete, they can have a serious negative impact on the beautiful floors in your office.

On top of salt, shoes will be bringing moisture and dirt inside. These can damage hardwood floors and turn the carpets into the ideal breeding grounds for bacteria or mold.

Welcome mats are probably one of the simplest and most effective options for protecting the floors. Increasing the number of times that the floors are vacuum cleaned and mopped during the week will also be quite effective. You need the right cleaning company and you should also reach an agreement about increasing the frequency of doing floor maintenance.

Make sure that the building is in a good condition before winter starts. Making repairs when the weather is cold and wet will be a big challenge. One of the most important things to do is identify leaks. These can remain undetected for a long period of time, leading to the waste of large amounts of water. In addition, the leaking water could freeze during the winter, making the issue even more problematic.

Another good suggestion is to check on insulation and caulking. If everything is in perfect condition, you’ll get to keep the office properly heated while reducing the environmental impact of the process.

The AC units should also be examined, especially if you’re going to use those for heating purposes. Get the filters thoroughly cleaned or changed, if necessary. Taking these measures in advance will help you enjoy a warm and comfortable office throughout the winter.

To reduce the risk of getting snow and ice inside the office, you may want to think about their proper removal from the external premises like the company’s parking lot.
There are treatment options that will prevent ice from forming bonds with the ground. Use such opportunities before December and get the area surrounding your office treated. One of the simplest things you can do is either salt down the area or use a bit of sand.

Whichever option you choose, getting rid of snow and ice will be essential for ensuring your corporate operations. This is particularly true for corporate premises that welcome customers or are used for business meetings.

Power shortages are common in the winter, especially if you live in a place where storms are a common occurrence.
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A backup generator gives you peace of mind and enables you to continue working for a few additional hours in the case of electricity being shut off. The market has many options to offer and choosing a generator will depend entirely on your budget and individual preferences.

In essence, you should prepare for the worst. Even if winter isn’t as harsh in the city where you work, there could still be a few emergencies during the cold months. Prepare the office building and buy the necessary equipment to guarantee productivity regardless of the weather. Such equipment will definitely come in handy one day and the purchase should never be considered a waste of money.

By Cliff Derksen
Owner of First Impressions Janitorial