We recently had a new poured floor installed in our production hall by the professionals at DRT Vloeren from Oss. Naturally, we maintain this floor meticulously. But how do you do that? And which cleaning agents are best suited for industrial floors? In this blog, we'll update you. Including handy tips from Pietjan Dobbelsteen (co-owner of DRT Vloeren).
"Industrial floors are specially developed for environments that generally have very high demands." These are the words of Jean-Maurice Verploegen, floor cleaning specialist at Spectro. "Consider factors like load-bearing capacity, durability, and scratch resistance. Additionally, in some companies, an industrial floor must meet strict HACCP requirements. Proper floor cleaning plays a crucial role in this, and there's quite a lot involved. That's why we are happy to help our customers get started."
Sustainable Results
Fats, oils, dust, wood chips, tire marks... Industrial floors encounter various contaminants. Some are harder to clean than others. Water is often insufficient for this. "Water does clean to some extent," says Jean-Maurice. "But the problem is that an industrial floor absorbs liquids. This makes it more effort and time-consuming to get a floor truly clean. Using the right cleaning agents makes it a lot easier. And you achieve a more sustainable result."
"A poured floor requires a different treatment
than a concrete floor or a trowel floor"
Floor Cleaner
Which cleaning agent is best? According to Jean-Maurice, it depends on the type of industrial floor. "For example, a poured floor requires a different treatment than a concrete floor or a trowel floor. At the same time, there are many 'neutral' cleaning agents. Our Floor Cleaner is a good example of that. It cleans every industrial floor excellently. And if you're looking for a cleaning agent for more stubborn materials, like mineral oils and fats? Then the Floor Cleaner Extra is a possible solution. Or the Floor Cleaner Power: a powerful product that removes rubber tire marks, among other things."
Cleaning Method
According to Jean-Maurice, the choice of the right cleaning product also depends on the cleaning method you use. "Many industrial floors are cleaned with a scrubber-dryer machine. It cleans faster and more thoroughly than by hand. Crucial is the correct dosage of a cleaning agent. If it's too high, it can have the opposite effect. Or you get streaks. You don't want that. The right dosage is on the packaging. So always check that."
"It's worth testing
what works on your floor"
Testing
To achieve the best result, Jean-Maurice and his colleagues are happy to advise customers. "It doesn't matter if you clean a floor daily or periodically. But it is worth testing what works on your floor. A tip: only test a part of the floor. And take pictures to properly assess the result. Then you will naturally find the best solution."
"Choose a cleaning plan that suits your floor"
When designing our new poured floor, we consulted with Pietjan Dobbelsteen. He is the co-owner of DRT Vloeren and knows everything about poured floors. He shares three tips for choosing the best floor and cleaning plan.
Tip 1 – Critically evaluate your business activity
"There are all kinds of industrial floors. And each has its advantages and disadvantages. When choosing an industrial floor, critically evaluate your business activity. At Spectro, for example, they work with powerful raw materials. So the floor must be highly resistant to them."
Tip 2 – Think ahead
"When choosing an industrial floor, it's important to think about maintenance and safety in advance. Generally speaking, the rougher the floor, the safer it is. But a rougher floor is also a bit harder to clean. Determine for yourself what is most important for your business."
Tip 3 – Choose the right cleaning products
"It's a no-brainer, but sustainable use of your industrial floor depends on maintenance. Choose a cleaning plan that fits your floor and use the right cleaning products. We regularly see industrial floors that need repair or replacement due to poor maintenance. What a waste!"