CM/Spotlight: Hard Floor Care More Satisfaction Lustrous floors are a product of ongoing procedural maintenance. By: Aaron Baunee, managing editor More Shine, I Aaron Baunee, a graduate of the University at Albany with a double major in history and journalism, is the managing edi-tor of Cleaning & Maintenance Management magazine. He can be reached at ABaunee@NTPMedia. com. In his years with the pub-lication, Baunee has amassed numerous articles, columns and commentaries pertaining to commercial cleaning and mainte-nance. Baunee encourages readers to communicate editorial ideas to him and welcomes discussions on pertinent industry happenings. Connect through social media: LinkedIn.com/in/AaronBaunee, Facebook.com/CMMOnline and Twitter.com/CMeNewsDaily. In North American markets, the level of shine on a floor reflects the performance of the custodial crew, with high gloss perceived as superior. Interestingly, in many European markets, more of a matte finish is preferred. According to Bill Griffin, president of Cleaning Consultant Services Inc., it is a matter of differing opinion. “We polish it to a shine and, in Europe, they would shoot you for destroying the historic integ-rity of the floor if you patched it or made it shine,” proclaims Griffin. So, you want a shiny floor because it looks great, is more durable and, last but not least, you feel a sense of pride from gazing at a mirror-like finish. But, how do you get from a dull floor to one worthy of reflection? It is all in the ongoing, daily maintenance. However, the process begins with selecting a finish that will withstand a constant onslaught of foot traffic and detergents. Spotlight Table Of Contents 12 More Shine, More Satisfaction Lustrous floors are a product of ongoing procedural maintenance. 16 Getting Walked All Over Matting plays a significant role in hard floor care, but many pay it little mind. 26 Choosing The Proper Finish There are two basic camps regarding floor finish — what longtime industry veterans would refer to as wax. High solids finishes, which have a greater con-centration of polymers, and low solids finishes, which contain more water. Solids content is what remains on the floor sur-face after a finish has been applied and the water contained therein fully evaporated. Generally, high solids finishes dry more quickly and are more resistant to scuffing, marring and other degradation. Should We Be Vacuuming Hard Surface Floors? Dust mopping can redistribute damaging particulates that vacuuming can effectively remove. for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Hard Floor Care . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Floor Finish . 30 Choose Wisely Just because a floor covering looks great newly installed does not mean it will hold up to continued abuse. 34 The Gem Of The Gym While gym floors are the centerpiece of a gymnasium they eventually will need to be refinished; see how to do so with less time and money. 12 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • April 2012
CMM – Archives Apr 2012: 12
