There are many factors that affect floor cleaning production rates, including:

The density of the environment. (light, medium and heavy)
The type of floor.
The type and amount of soil.
The type and amount of traffic.
The type of cleaning equipment used.
The type and amount of products used.
The skill level of the technicians.



Once you have a clear understanding of the definition of cleaning and the factors that affect production, you can begin to develop your procedural manual.

Ceramic Tile Floor Care

Damp mop weekly
You should damp mop your floor at least one time per week (more often for heavy traffic areas). with Damp Mop from Spartan Chemical's floor care products. Never use a detergent or soap, because it can dull the surface or promote the growth of mildew.

Caution: You should allow your new ceramic tile and grout to dry for at least 72 hours after installation before damp mopping.

Use protective mats
Good quality entry and exit mats will help protect your ceramic tile from premature wear. They trap the dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked onto your floor. Mats are also suggested at heavy pivot locations, such as in front of your kitchen sink or stove.

Add protective pads to furniture
Protect your tile by affixing felt or similar pads to the legs of any metal, iron, wood, or plastic furniture that will be placed on it. Exterior metal furniture which rests on tile floors or patios may rust and cause staining.

Use recommended sealers and cleaners only
Cleaners other than Spartan's own line of floor care products or the vinegar solution described above are not recommended. They may cause unwarranted damage to your tile and/or grout.

Check cure time before adding grout sealer
Unless noted otherwise on its packaging, grout should cure for at least 28 days before applying a sealer.

Use a penetrating sealer on quarry tiles
These sealers are absorbed into the tile, forming a stain resistant shield just below the surface. Most sealers will darken or change the appearance of the tile, and resealing is usually required every 12 to 18 months. None of Shaw's other tiles will need a sealer. Actually, they are not porous enough to even absorb it.

Hardwood Floor Care

For cleaning, make sure you...

- Use a damp cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. For tough spots, such as oil, paint, markers, lipstick, ink, tar, or cigarette marks, use acetone/nail polish remover on a clean white cloth, then wipe with a damp cloth. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your floor.
- Sweep, dust, or vacuum the floor regularly with the hard floor attachment (not the beater bar) to prevent accumulation of dirt or grit that can scratch or dull the floor finish.
- Occasionally wipe the floor with a damp mop or cloth.
- Periodically clean the floor with Damp Mop from Spartan's line of floor covering care products.

For cleaning, make sure you DON'T...

- do not use oil based, wax, polish, or strong ammoniated or abrasive cleaners.
- do not use steel wool or scouring powder.
- do not wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination, and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.

Other routine care instructions:

- For spots such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape with a plastic scraper, such as a credit card. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Do not use any type of buffing machine.

MAINTENANCE COAT

If you can't restore your solid hardwood floor's luster with deep cleaning or by simply buffing, you may want to apply a maintenance coat. Waxing is an easy way to restore your hardwood floor's natural beauty. Though a controversial treatment for surface finishes, floor polish or wax can give you a good-looking floor in a matter of minutes. If you don't want to apply a wax to your surface finish, consult a professional.