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Helpful Floor Cleaning Tips from #CincinnatiMain

We at Cincinnati Maintenance thought it was time for us all to brush up on how to care for our carpet and flooring in between professional, deep cleanings.
First of all, we cannot stress enough the importance of vacuuming. It’s simply essential. The main reason is that getting up the dirt and grime helps protect your carpet! Dirt and grit wear down and break down the fibers, so vacuuming is pretty high up there in how to take care of your home and business flooring.
Sweeping and vacuuming your un-carpeted flooring is important, too! For the same reasons – it helps keep grit from wearing down your floors.
When you are “sweeping,” we recommend MICRO-FIBER. Using a mop with a micro-fiber pad works so much better than an old-fashioned broom.
Some bonus tips:

  1. For hardwood floors, use a dust mop or micro-fiber pad mop regularly. When damp mopping, a neutral (neutral being the key word) cleaner – such as the Bona products – is best. This product can be found at Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
  2. For tile and grout, a good tile brush from Home Depot or somewhere similar will help clean the grout. Definitely avoid sealers and high alkaline cleaners. Again, neutral cleaners are key.
  3. For vinyl flooring, avoid anything that says “enhances shine” and avoid applying floor finishes. A good neutral, preferably “green,” solution is always best.

If you have any concerns or questions, you can always contact Cincinnati Maintenance and we are happy to help!

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Grout Color Sealing!

Grout Color Sealing!

Hey, Cincinnati! Did you know that color seal is the best way to restore damaged grout lines without having an extensive remodeling expense!?
Have you been trying to clean, and trying to clean AGAIN, and then trying to clean YET AGAIN that grungy grout?  If all cleaning attempts have failed, there IS another option!
Yes, Grout Color Sealing could very well be the way to go to restore your grout without a massive remodel! It is DEFINITELY worth looking into and we at Cincinnati Maintenance are happy to provide you with an estimate to bring your tile and grout back to beautiful life!
Here’s some more info:

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We Clean Medical Facilities, Daycares and Preschools

We Clean Medical Facilities, Daycares and Preschools

When you go to the doctor or take a family member in, you want to be assured that the doctor’s office is CLEAN.  Sometimes, carpets and floors are forgotten or neglected when germy surfaces are being cleaned in medical facilities. That’s where Cincinnati Maintenance can help!
It goes without saying, certain types of businesses need the carpets cleaned more often than others:

  • Daycare centers and preschools benefit from weekly or twice-per-month cleaning because small children frequently play games on the floor or have “carpet time” for story-reading, etc.  Some rooms at a daycare have “crawlers,” where the children are on the floor constantly and often putting things that have been on the floor in their mouths.
  • Medical facilities benefit from a deep floor clean every one-to-three months.  During flu season or a time of especially prevalent viruses/illnesses, cleaning more often is recommended.

Did you know that harmful germs creep down in crevices and grooves of tile and grout? Floors and bathroom tile areas need professional cleaning as well.
Cincinnati Maintenance takes the cleaning of medical buildings and offices as well as buildings frequented by children seriously, and we help them maintain the highest level of cleanliness available.

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Frequent Carpet and Tile Cleaning is Imperative in Medical Facilities – Particularly during Flu Season! Cincinnati Relies on us!

I recently posted on Social Media how the norovirus can live on a carpet’s uncleaned surface for a month or more.  Now, with flu season upon us and, well, really any time, medical facilities need to clean ALL their surfaces – and oftentimes, carpets and floors are forgotten or neglected when germy surfaces are being cleaned.
Cincinnati Maintenance is frequently asked, “How often should we clean the carpets?”  We covered this in a blog post a couple of months ago, but it bears repeating that certain types of businesses need the carpets cleaned more often than others.  For instance, daycares could benefit from weekly or twice-per-month cleaning because small children are crawling around and constantly put things that have been on the floor in their mouths.  Hopefully no one is putting anything in their mouth that’s been on the doctor’s office floor, but, nevertheless, every one-to-three months is good timing for medical facilities to have a deep floor clean.  During pandemic or a time of especially hard-hitting viruses, obviously more often can only benefit the reduction of germs.
Another area that is often overlooked is tile and grout.  All kinds of germy messes can creep down in the grooves and crevices of tile and grout floors.  Please do not forget that these areas need deep, professional cleaning, too.
Cincinnati Maintenance cares about our customers and our customer’s customers.  We are proud to help medical buildings and offices maintain the highest level of cleanliness available to keep good health a primary focus.
 

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Tile and Grout Cleaning Tips

Cleaning tile and grout can be challenging.  Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.  Being equipped with the proper tools for maintenance will help pro-long the appearance of your tile and grout.  For commercial settings proper matting systems reduce soil infiltration drastically.  The same can be applied to residential applications.
When installing tile and grout one of the most important steps is applying a seal after the job is complete.  Most of this should be done by the contractor, but we find many times that the floors are never sealed.  Sealing aids in preventing moisture from entering the grout lines.  This is intended to provide a layer of protection so that cleaning and maintenance is a breeze.  Just like any other type of surface, normal wear and tear, cleaning solutions, and agitation breaks the seal down over time increasing the need for a routine maintenance schedule to include re-sealing applications.
Most of the seals are volatile solvents.  Be sure to have plenty of air circulation, and appropriate skin and eye wear protection to avoid and health related issues.  Some of the major chains have an aerosol seal.  We recommend avoiding these.  Overspray will happen and you do not want the seal to rest on any of your tile.  Best form of application is a sponge type applicator brush found in most hardware stores.  If the soil has gone too far, and cleaning attempts have been futile a color seal application will be your best option.
Color seal comes in virtually every color allowing you to completely restore your grout lines.  We only use Mapei brand color seal.  This will not only restore your floor, but it acts as a more permanent coating allowing for easy cleaning and maintenance.  Don’t think all is lost.  We can save the day!
Having proper matting systems at your home or business will control the amount of soil entering the property.  It’s always best to have a rubber mat outside and a very absorbent mat inside.  Make sure your mats are long enough for at least 3 steps.  3M makes some excellent matting solutions for both commercial and residential applications.  Outside of proper matting, make sure you have the proper tools in-house to clean the floors properly.
Heard of microfiber?  I’m sure you have.  Microfiber dust mops and wet mops are some of the best tools you should have in your cleaning arsenal.  They out perform traditional cotton mops significantly.  They attract more soil without the use of toxic chemicals.  Don’t forget dry vacuuming with a Hepa vacuum is always the first step, then follow with your microfiber dusting and wet cleaning.  In addition to the right tools, chemistry plays a role in proper maintenance.
Sticky residues left behind by aggressive cleaners can be a nuisance.  Microfiber mops, hot water, and a neutral floor cleaner will be your best bet.  Most floor cleaners are high in alkalinity leaving tacky residues that attract soil left behind on your floors.  Did you know household vinegar will help counteract this?  Vinegar is an acid and can help reduce or relieve this problem.  We use the Procyon line of green floor cleaning products.  It’s soap free, chemical free, and is all plant based.  Not only can your floors be challenging to maintain, but bathroom tile needs special attention too.
Most bathrooms are full of moisture.  The environment is often warm, dark, and damp.  What normally is produced in an environment like this?  Bacteria, mold, and mildew.  We are still dealing with soil, just a completely different type.  Ventilation, and proper cleaning are important to avoid issues associated with mold and mildew.  Bacteria thrives in wet environments.  So get it dry, and use the right cleaners to ensure a clean healthy environment for your family.
Hydrogen peroxide cleaners have come a long way.  We use more commercial strength cleaners that you may not find at your local hardware store.  Some are available by top brands, but may not have the strength needed if your situation requires more restorative action.
Dealing with soap scum?  Yeah we hate it too.  Best solution!  Stop using soap!  Organic and green healthcare products eliminate soap completely.  They use essential oils and plant based ingredients vs any lye, glycerin, or animal fats.  If you switch to more “green” options guess what! No more soap scum.  Soap scum may require heavy duty cleaning applications.
In addition to aggressive chemistry the use of a commercial grade steamer will help aid in the cleaning process.  Plus, who loves all those cracks, crevasses, and tight corners?  A steamer will help blast soil and issues out of all those areas.  It also increases the effectiveness the cleaning products ten-fold.  Heat rapidly increased the chemical reaction of cleaning products.  It’s a win win.

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