[Adam P]

at one of the commercial properties we clean there is a bit of hard floor which we mop every other night. trouble we're finding is the due to the texture of the floor (it's like a sandy lino) the floor really grabs the dirt and a mop alone isn't enough, so after a couple of months you can really see a difference. we end up having to use a hard brush but this takes forever so was hoping maybe people could suggest another way?

i'll try and take a photo tomorrow if i remember so you can better see what the floor is.

[Griffus]

150 - 300 RPM Rotary with nylon brush (Blue) would do this for you.

Ideally only use chem's as recommended by the flooring manufacturer.

[Adam P]

150 - 300 RPM Rotary with nylon brush (Blue) would do this for you.

Ideally only use chem's as recommended by the flooring manufacturer.

sorry forgot to say needs to be fairly low cost, max £150. the floors are tiny, only 7 in total which are roughly 5/6 sqm each. also doesn't have to be a machine as other suggestions are welcome but given how well this floor keeps the dirt i'd say something powered would reduce time significantly.

also forgot to mention that we even tried brining in a steam cleaner and that didn't get anything off unless the steam was very closely concentrated on a single spot

[Pristine Clean]

When you say its a sandy finish its, Is it a non slip floor you are refering to?

There is a chemical UBIK 2000 by Clover. That will get alot of the dirt out with just a mop and a stiff brush if you cannot find a machine in that price range.

Here is a link for some superb recons floor machines mate.

http://www.floorcleaningmachinesuk.com/

Have a look I am sure you will find something in your price range.

Dave

 

[Adam P]

yeah it's a non slip lino i beleive

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/32001564/aview/ALTRO_PURPLE2.jpg

thats kind of what the floor is like, though more grainy/sandy so harder to remove.

i'll check out the chemical you suggested as that'll be a cheaper way to go. what mop heads do people find best for heavy duty cleaning? 

[dandandan]

My wifes got the same problem with her shops,the floors were lovely grey with silver sparkles,it gets a grey stainy mist over it and it goes yellow were tables or couches are,nightmare,i`ll have a go with this stuff and let you know how it goes,thanks,dan

[Pristine Clean]

The other alternative is to purchase scourer that attaches to a mop handle. Or a builders long reach hand sander and attach a scourer.

As with safety floors there are lots of little pits/dents that the mop cannot reach. So some abrasive cleaning is required.

You should be fine though if its just for an office environment. We clean alot of floors that builders use, or printers, quarrys etc and are very messy where at least every month a buffer is required to bring it up like new again.

What you could try is mop as normal but then use a dry clean mop and go over with the dry mop. You will be amazed how much more dirt is removed. Not only that it will be dry-er.

As for the mops we just use Kentucky or socket mops. If it dirty floor you will need to change the water and or change the mop head.

Dave

[murky]

If you are just 'mopping' and hoping for the best sounds like you are using same mop over and over again, same solutions etc etc.

Now and again you need to scrub with a machine and rinse all the grot out, the mop and old detergent just build the grot up. Use a  normal speed roto and a green pad to agitate, dont let it dry out and rinse it all up. Then go over it with a clean dry mop, kentucky if poss and that will dry it out a treat.

Get onto Altro in Letchworth and they will send/sell you a litre of there own product.

OR just go to your local janitorial supplier and they will sell you something for it.

Murky

[Robert Parry]

This could well be Altro Safety flooring.
Check first!

If so, you need to carry out the proper maintenance procedure for the floor, yes Altro will indeed send you the correct chemical, but you will pay through the nose for it, visit your local janitorial specialist.

Daily mopping should be carried out with a nuetral cleaner, clean mop obviously!

Maintenance cleaning, carried out using a low/medium speed rotary with blue bristle brush, use a wet vac to pick up slurry, then mop using plain water and new mop.

The maintenance clean should have been specified in your contract, and an extra charge levied for this, perhaps seperately, this way you give the client the final say on costs.

Your concern on costs of machinery should not deter you from purchase, as the rotary will pay for itself over time, as you can offer maintenance cleaning to other clients, new rotary machines will be about £600 depending on size and accessories.

Mopping with whatever chemical will not remove ingrained dirt and debris from safety flooring, if you do try this, be prepared for the client to notice the state of the floors eventually, with all that this could lead too.

Regards,

Rob

[Adam P]

thanks for all the responses. i think it is an altro as looking at pictures on google images they look almost identical to the floor.

unfortunately this wasn't specified in the contract so it may be difficult to get them to agree to pay for the service. how much would one normally charge for a maintenance clean? next time they ask i will mention what is required and see what they say. it's silly as for years the place had cleaned it themselves and done a bad job. we come alone and our mops start to remove patches of dirt, they complain say we have never cleaned it and it needs a deep clean  for now i will do pristine's idea of using a dry mop to quickly go over it.

thanks again all

[Robert Parry]

Either through advertising, or some other method your client called you to furnish them with a quote, you obviously convinced them that you knew what you were doing, and that you had the knowledge and expertise required to clean their building to the required standard.

Your last post mentions that previously, they had relied on in house cleaners, who failed to do the job to the required standard.

During your survey, you will have noticed ALL the materials that require your attention, you should have ensured that you correctly identified the materials present, and have the required knowledge and expertise to clean and maintain these materials.

Your statement "I thinks its Altro" calls into question your knowledge.

Within your written quotation, you should have specified that the flooring would need maintenance/deep cleaning at certain frequencies throughout the year( depending on traffic/use etc) and that this service would be an extra £XXX per clean.

The client has now complained about the state of the flooring, it is not your clients fault that you failed to mention the specialised care that Altro requires, it is I am afraid, yours! My advice is to do whatever it takes to get the floor cleaned, if it costs you time and money, suck it up, put it down to experience and make sure you dont make the same mistake again.

What has happened to the in house staff?  Have you taken them on under TUPE?

If this really becomes a sticking point for your client, could they cancel the contract ? 

If they did cancel, what would your liabilities be ?

Redundancy?

Breach of contract?

Constructive dismissal of staff?

Unless you are very sure of positive answers to the above, clean the floor properly, take the hit and hope that your client forgets all about this, raise the price each year a little until, the maintenance cleaning is covered. Telling them what is required after they have accepted your quote will just make them dig their heels in and make you look foolish.

Once that point has been reached, the contract will become a chain around your neck, and will cause all parties concerned, nothing but grief!

Regards,

Rob

[Nick Head]

Robert is absolutely right - you should have picked this up on an initial survey and his advice on the HR issues is spot on - I guess that why it is called "Contract Cleaning"

Nick

[wilclean]

A few years ago when I worked for ISS we were told just to use a rotary scrubber machine with a green pad and some lemon gel in water - got the altro floor clean.

[Pristine Clean]

thanks for all the responses. i think it is an altro as looking at pictures on google images they look almost identical to the floor.

unfortunately this wasn't specified in the contract so it may be difficult to get them to agree to pay for the service. how much would one normally charge for a maintenance clean? next time they ask i will mention what is required and see what they say. it's silly as for years the place had cleaned it themselves and done a bad job. we come alone and our mops start to remove patches of dirt, they complain say we have never cleaned it and it needs a deep clean  for now i will do pristine's idea of using a dry mop to quickly go over it.

thanks again all

Which part of Surrey are you based in?

How big are these floors exactly?

I could offer to lend you a machine but I am based in Kent. Maidstone.

Alternatively you could hire a buffer for the day from HSS or hire shop.



Dave

[Adam P]

that's very kind of you. I think hiring is a great idea as then we can test what we prefer for little cost and as peopel have said, put it down to experience.

Robert Parry : when we met with them we explained we were only new and our experience, but they really liked us and gave us a go because of it. they are fairly understanding. 


there is no problems with the previous staff, tupe etc for several reasons. don't want to go too specific as although it's a small chance, if they saw this thread they'd know we are talking about them and i wouldn't want them seeing previous posts for obvious reasons.

i have put it down to experience so that's the most important bit imo, we wont be making the same mistake again. I do wonder though how you'd charge for the floors. I assume per square meter at something like £1 per sqm?

as always thanks all for the helpful replies