The Importance of Commercial Mat Cleaning

Posted August 20, 2021

Commercial floor mats are an essential part of any business’ floorcare solutions. Entrance mats are the first line of defense for preventing dirt being brought into your premises, as 80% of dirt is carried into buildings on the soles of your patrons and your staff’s shoes. With the outbreak of a global pandemic, COVID-19 mats have become even more important, as some mats can help by sharing important messages about social distancing, and impression mats can relay the message of your choosing – like kind reminders to wear a mask, or where to sanitize your hands, etc.

Regardless of the types of commercial mats your industry uses, whether it be anti-fatigue mats, scraper mats, or shower mats – they will need to be cleaned on a regular basis so that they remain effective. Simply vacuuming your mats only removes 10% of dirt – which means your mats will not be effective in stopping dirt and mud from being tracked into your facility. This could lead to slip and fall accidents, which makes up 50% of all reported incidents.

Improper Cleaning Can Cause Damage

Commercial mats combat the elements all year round and require a rigorous maintenance routine. This is not surprising given the amount of traffic they see in any given day. Hiring professionals who have the equipment and the skills to ensure that they stay in tip-top shape is a no-brainer. Not only will your facility stay clean, but it will also stay safe for employees. You want your commercial mats to be in the best shape to prevent slip and fall accidents. Improper cleaning can cause damage much quicker than normal wear and tear will cause – not to mention fading and the look of the mat itself. As you know, impressions count for a lot!

How often should mats be professionally cleaned?

Obviously, traffic load will be the determining factor in how often your commercial mats should be cleaned. Entryways, lobbies, and kitchens are considered high-traffic areas – as they can easily accumulate pounds of dirt in a matter of days. We recommend cleaning anywhere from 12 to 24 times a year – or at least once a month depending on your business. You want to make sure that your anti-fatigue mats for essential workers gets cleaned on a regular basis.

In low-traffic areas, like hallways and offices, having the mats cleaned once every three months should be good enough to prevent any damage and keep the mat effective and looking pristine.

What you can do in between the professional cleanings to keep your mats in good shape.

While it is imperative that you get your mats cleaned professionally, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to do anything on your end. It is important that your janitorial staff knows the correct way to care for the mats as well. You can extend your mat’s lifespan by regularly following these basic steps:

Vacuum

While vacuuming only sucks up 10% of the dirt, it is still important to vacuum daily, and as thoroughly as you can with a dry or wet vacuum. It will help to pick up as much debris as you can that will otherwise damage the mat’s fibers and cause issues later – especially if you are only getting your mat professionally cleaned on a monthly basis. If need be, scrub down with a brush or broom after vacuuming.

Hose it Down

Spray the mat with a high-pressure water hose in high-traffic areas at least once a week. If there is dirt and grime, using a bit of soap will help too. Obviously, you need to do this outside, as it is not recommended to clean the mats while they are in their working position. They will then need to be hung and dried thoroughly before putting them back in place. Nylon mats require a longer drying period and will need to be in a position where they can be drained while they are drying.

Cleansers

There are cleansers specifically designed for commercial mats which are formulated in a way that will not cause discoloration. We will be happy to recommend what each specific mat requires. Otherwise simply use a mild dish detergent or a non-butyl-based degreaser – and stay far away from harsh detergents and various other chemical-based cleaners. Do not use bleach or any butyl-based degreasers. Plus, you will want your staff and clients to breathe clean, not bleach!

Dry Thoroughly

Once they have been washed thoroughly, the mats will then need to be rinsed, hung again, and dried thoroughly before you put them back in place. This will prevent mildew and harmful mold. Make sure that the floor is completely clean and dry before you put them back in their working position, as that will allow the mat to grip to the floor properly – preventing slip and fall accidents.

Imagine what you would need to do to adequately clean them properly and how much time your janitorial staff would need to devote to do it. Otherwise, you will spend a lot of money consistently replacing tiles.

Renting Might be the Best Solution

Organizing commercial mat cleaning can be time-consuming and an overall hassle. Health Mats has the perfect solution. Renting your commercial mats versus buying them outright might be the most cost-effective and hassle-free solution for your business.

Purchased mats will need to be replaced over time and will have to be paid for in full upfront. We provide a large supply of quality rental mats to serve you, which is more cost effective. As we all know, cash flow is king, especially in today’s market.

We exchange dirty and soiled mats with freshly laundered mats on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis depending on your business’s particular needs. This means you are saving money by never having to buy replacements and by lowering cleaning costs – not to mention the fact that your janitorial staff will be able to spend more time on other cleaning projects.

The Benefits

Here is a list of the benefits of getting your commercial mats professionally cleaned:

Lengthens the life of floors and carpets.
Reduces cost of replacements.
Reduces cleaning time & material costs.
Reduces dust levels which will avoid issues with electronic equipment and ventilation ducts.
Impressions are everything – keeping things clean and tidy will ensure your brand image is on point – keeping customers coming through the door.

Here are the benefits of renting your commercial mat from Health Mats:

Your soiled mats get retrieved on a consistent basis and a new freshly laundered mat is put in its place.
The debris is disposed of on our premises – saving you the hassle.
When the mats are damaged or showing wear and tear, we replace them at no cost to you.
Old mats can cause hazards like trip and fall accidents. By renting, you take the possibility of that occurring due to damaged commercial mats off the table.
When cleaned properly, the mats work more effectively, causing less work for your janitorial staff.
In winter, when there is not only dirt and grime but also salt, which can cause a lot of damage to floors. You can be assured that your mats will be changed on a regular basis and that we will thoroughly get rid of the salt as well as the other debris.
Finally, less headaches with scheduling and ensuring your staff are caring for your commercial mats properly. And – in the end – less money out of your pocket