recoating cycles, but will also keep their floor clean and shiny longer, which is important in any floor care program,” notes Hayes. Best Cleaning Methods “ʻWhatʼs the best way to clean mats?ʼ Thatʼs a question I hear a lot during seminars and in-services,” says Larry Fagan of Fagan Sanitary Supply. “When I hear that state-ment, I know the mats are working well. I typically chuckle and respond to them with the comment, ʻI canʼt apologize for that, as that is what a mat is designed to do.ʼ” According to Fagan, high-performance mats do require a little extra effort when cleaning, but the extra effort put forth will more than make up in labor and mate-rial savings compared to stripping and recoating a floor surface more frequently due to improper, ineffective and non-func-tioning mats. Mats can be cleaned several ways. The first method is to vacuum daily. Fagan recommends customers vacuum mats in high-traffic areas more than once a day. Doing so prevents soil from building up inside the mat, making removal at the end of the day easier and less time-consuming. Another method is to utilize carpet extractors, which will remove accumulated soil, mud and moisture from mats — espe-cially on sloppy winter days. Finally, a pressure washer is a great machine to use when it comes time to reju-venate your mats. Fagan recommends this step in the spring to remove salt, sand and soil that has accumulated during the winter months. “Regardless of which method you choose, itʼs important to choose the right equipment for the job, and for that equip-ment to be in good operating order,” con-cludes Fagan. Facilities must take into consideration not only the initial costs of the mat, but also their return on investment (ROI). For example, a facility can purchase high-performance floor mats that will save them labor and material by helping extend their cleaning, recoating and stripping cycles. Or, they can purchase floor mats that will initially cost less but require more labor and material, thereby costing more over time due to poor construction and ineffectiveness. Remember, when choosing floor matting, the business colloquialism “pay me now or pay me later” applies. CM Mike Sharlow is region manager for The Andersen Company, manufacturer of high-per-formance matting. Their newest product, Waterhog Eco and Enviro Plus, features a 100 percent recycled PET polyester carpet top reclaimed from plastic drink bottles and a rubber backing with up to 89 percent recycled rubber reclaimed from used tires. Sharlow is a CIMS-certified ICE with 25 years of experience in the cleaning industry — 12 years as a BSC — and can be reached at [email protected]. Cost Considerations When choosing floor care products and equipment, cost is always an important consideration — floor mats are no different. The Science Of Fresh And Clean Don’t miss the new Dust and Odor Control e-Newsletter. cmmonline.com/dust-odor.asp Sponsored by Procter & Gamble. Circle Product Information no. 206 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 41
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