Why use a professional floor cleaning product?
Tiled floors, terracotta tiles, concrete, and marble are common surfaces in both professional and public spaces. The demands of high traffic and industrial or public use necessitate that their maintenance and cleaning be carried out using professional floor cleaning products and solutions . Regular and effective maintenance is essential to guarantee hygiene and cleanliness, especially in high-traffic areas such as train stations, schools, airports, and offices. Choosing the right professional cleaning product suited to the floor type, combined with a mechanized daily and weekly cleaning method using a floor scrubber or single-disc machine, or a non-mechanized method using a cleaning cart, is fundamental to the image you project to clients and other users of the premises.
The different product ranges
The range of floor cleaning products available for professional use is very wide. Therefore, the first step is to identify the type of dirt on the floor and the desired level of cleanliness, hygiene, and fragrance retention after cleaning. If you require floor disinfection, you will need to choose disinfectant products.
Professional tile cleaning product
Understanding the specific characteristics of tiled, terracotta, and marble floors
Tiles and terracotta tiles are fired clay building materials known for their durability and warm aesthetic. However, their porous nature makes them more susceptible to the accumulation of dirt, stains, and moisture . This porosity distinguishes them from modern PVC or linoleum flooring, which requires different maintenance products. Indeed, while modern PVC or linoleum flooring requires regular stripping , waxing (metallization), and maintenance with a single-disc machine using a spray method, tiles or marble require a different professional approach and therefore different professional products.
The different types of tiled flooring
Tiles are often made of fired clay, ceramic, granite, porcelain stoneware, etc. Each type of tiled flooring has its own maintenance guide , which the installer should provide or which you can obtain from the manufacturer. This guide recommends a maintenance method and usually suggests professional products, although it's not mandatory to buy the specific product. You just need to check the characteristics of the recommended products, particularly their pH level, to find suitable alternatives if necessary.
Tile flooring is by nature the easiest type of flooring to maintain and therefore remains a leading choice in the construction of multi-unit buildings. Indeed, it allows for simplified maintenance with an automatic scrubber-dryer or a single-disc machine, and quick cleaning with a solution that integrates a cleaning trolley and a mop and wringer system.
However, the tiles must be of good quality because, of course, this will also determine their ease of maintenance and their resistance over time, especially to heavy traffic.
When using a floor scrubber , the depth of joints and irregularities of the floor must be taken into account, as these can negatively affect suction to dry the floor.
Maintenance of a terracotta tile floor
Terracotta tiles are typically made of fired clay and are often used in spaces that evoke a touch of tradition. This type of flooring generally needs to be treated to maintain its luster and ensure a minimum level of waterproofing, preventing grease and liquids from penetrating the tile's core. While the risk is obviously lower in a private residence, in a venue hosting weddings or festive events, regular deep cleaning with non-aggressive, solvent-based professional products is necessary to dissolve grease and grime without damaging the tile. This cleaning should then be followed by treatment with waterproofing and water-repellent formulas.
Floor cleaning product for tiled floors - terracotta tiles - marble
For over 45 years, Voussert has offered a wide range of professional cleaning products for the care of tiled and terracotta floors. Each product has specific properties and uses, allowing it to address different situations.
The different product formulations
Linseed oil-based products: Linseed oil-based products are particularly valued for the care of tiled and terracotta floors. Thanks to their nourishing and water-repellent properties, they allow for deep cleaning, protection against stains and moisture, restoration of color to your floor, and easier daily maintenance. Historically, everyone is familiar with brands like Carolin, which has a proven track record in this type of linseed oil-based cleaning product.
Neutral cleaning products: For regular and gentle cleaning, or on delicate floors, neutral cleaners based on black soap, baking soda, multi-purpose surfactants, or mild solvents are good options. They effectively remove dirt and grease without damaging the surface of tiles and terracotta floor tiles.
Stripping or heavy-duty degreasers: When floors are particularly dirty, the use of degreasing or stripping products may be necessary . These products, based on alkaline agents with a high pH or solvents, remove layers of wax, oil, or paint that have accumulated over time. Using a single-disc floor scrubber or automatic scrubber-dryer , which enhances the mechanical action, will reduce the need for dilution of these inherently aggressive products. In the case of limescale stains or cement residue, which can lead to joint deterioration, an acid-based product may be necessary. In all cases, alternating between alkaline and acidic chemicals may be necessary to prevent the formation of a biofilm or the accumulation of limescale deposits.
Waterproofing and water-repellent treatments: To provide long-lasting protection for tiled and terracotta floors, the application of a waterproofing or water-repellent product is recommended. These products form an invisible barrier that prevents the absorption of water, stains, and dirt.
Specific products for non-foaming floor scrubbers
Using a floor scrubber will significantly improve your efficiency, both in terms of mechanical action and overall performance. However, it is essential to use a professional, non-foaming floor cleaning product , as the vacuumed dirty water containing detergent could saturate your scrubber's dirty water tank due to excessive foaming . Products are identified with a floor scrubber logo, confirming their compatibility with this type of machine . Beyond the issue of foaming, products containing excessively high concentrations of chlorine or acids can damage your machine.
Cleaning and maintenance of marble floors
Marble is a "living" stone, and therefore cleaning and treatment products for marble must be specifically formulated for this type of surface. They avoid aggressive agents that could alter or dull the marble's finish.
Marble crystallization: Marble restoration is achieved through a process called crystallization. As the name suggests, the goal is to create a protective surface layer on the marble by creating a reaction between an acid-based product and the marble crystals, using a low-speed floor scrubber and a steel wool pad or a 3M crystallization pad.
Regular marble maintenance: As with tiles and terracotta floor tiles, regular marble maintenance is essential. Weekly or monthly cleaning, depending on the amount of traffic, will help preserve the floor's beauty.
Frequently asked questions about floor cleaning
Why can tiled, terracotta and marble floors leave marks after cleaning?
Although these materials are renowned for their durability and beauty, their porous structure makes them vulnerable to marks and stains during cleaning. The small openings and crevices on the surface of these natural stones can trap dirt, dust, and even residues from certain cleaning products. Furthermore, some harsh products like vinegar or lemon can react with the minerals in marble and accentuate unwanted marks.
What cleaning products should be avoided on tiled, terracotta or marble floors?
Certain common household products can be particularly harmful to these types of flooring:
Acidic products (vinegar, lemon): they react with the minerals in marble and cause irreversible damage.
Abrasive products: they risk scratching the surface, especially on black marble.
Ammonia-based products: they weaken the structure and shine of marble.
Bleach or chlorine-based products: too aggressive, they discolor and leave marks.
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