Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Floor finish 101

Floor Finish, Sealers, waxes. The choices never end so here are a few tips when it comes to refinishing your floor.

First Choosing the right finish. We've all herd the common my wax is 28% and mine 30% and so on, the questions is 28% what. Here is the breakdown. All floor finishes contain 3 main items polymer (plastic), Metal (usually Zinc), water. When a supplier tells you their wax is 28% solid they are saying that if I put a cup of wax out and let it dry I would be left with 28% of what was their. The key know is find the wax that has the right polymer for your application. Where as some floor finishes are designed for high gloss they do not stand to high traffic, or some do not respond to burnishing. In any case a application and maintenance will determine how long your finish lasts.

Second when preping a new tile, floor should be completely stripped of factory finish, then apply two coats of sealer and finally finish up with five to eight coats of floor finish. This will be the only time you use sealer on your tile and the only time sealer is required.

Next week we will discuss why only sealer the first time and how often to strip.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Cleaning with Charged Water

We have recently seen several companies introduce charged water technology for cleaning. Do these work? Are they for you?
Here a question if I fill a spray bottle with water, spray a surface and wipe it, will it be clean? Will I remove soil? What if I switch from paper towel or a rag and use a microfiber cloth will I be able to clean a surface with just water? Without a doubt. Water is the universal solvent. There is nothing water can't clean. The same rule applies to scrubbing floors, if I fill my scrubber with clean water and put down the pads it will clean the floor. Detergents are not necessary they make our job easier.
There are several other issues I can see at first glance with activated water. First would you trust a contract cleaner or even your own staff to clean the washroom with activated water. Is there enough proof that this will remove enough bacteria to make you feel safe. Second it is said that using activated water is greener, but I ask how do you dispose of the batteries and charge system in three years when it no longer works? Which is more environmentally responsible having residue from a green seal certified product go through the wash or throwing batteries into the landfill?
Yes, activated water may have it's uses as in classrooms, office buildings, and spotting windows but when it comes to the day and age of superbugs, MRSA, and C-Dif using a Green Seal certified or ECP certified product is the safer way to go to protect whats most important and that is us and our health.