“Our floors look terrible!”

This is a complaint we frequently hear from potential clients seeking our cleaning services. Alongside dirty restrooms and break rooms, nothing annoys building owners more than dull, damaged floors.

This isn’t surprising when you think about it. Consider the places you visit—doctor’s offices, grocery stores, department stores, restaurants. Do you notice when the floors are shiny and clean? Do you notice when they are dull or dirty?

In this article, we will discuss vinyl composite tile (VCT) flooring and how to keep it looking its best.

What is VCT Flooring?

Vinyl composite tiles are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) chips pressed into solid sheets through heat and pressure. While VCT surfaces feel smooth due to a wax coating, they are actually quite porous, which means dirt and grit can easily accumulate. Therefore, maintaining a proper wax layer on VCT tiles is essential.

Tips for Maintaining Clean VCT Floors

1. 1. Utilize Walk-off Mats Walk-off mats trap dirt and grit from shoes, reducing the wear and tear on your floors. In industrial settings, it’s especially important to place mats at the entrances to and exits from the shop floor. Although mats won’t catch every particle, they can capture a significant amount. It’s a good idea to use a service that regularly replaces these mats and to remind your cleaning team to vacuum them every night.

1. 1. Dust Mop Daily and Damp Mop Regularly Preventing floor dullness starts with removing dirt and dust daily using a microfiber mop. Microfiber is excellent at picking up dust and dirt. After dust mopping, use a damp mop with a mild soap solution to remove any remaining debris. For areas with heavy foot traffic, daily damp mopping is recommended. For areas with lighter traffic, less frequent mopping is sufficient.

1. 1. Buff Periodically Buffing your floors helps to restore shine by smoothing out the surface. A smooth surface reflects more light, making the floor appear shinier. Over time, VCT floors develop small pits and scratches from foot traffic and rolling chairs. Buffing, which involves an abrasive pad and the heat from the spinning buffer, smooths out these imperfections and enhances reflectivity.

1. 1. Restore Annually (or as Needed) Over time, wear and tear will eventually strip the wax from your VCT flooring. To keep your floors looking their best, it’s important to strip away the old wax and apply several new layers. The frequency of this restoration process depends on various factors, but for facilities with moderate to heavy traffic, an annual restoration is generally recommended. Advances in floor wax technology have improved durability, but regular maintenance is still crucial.

With a little ongoing care and a good preventative maintenance plan, VCT floors can maintain their appearance for many years. Following these four steps will ensure your floors remain a highlight rather than a headache.