Flexi-Flor® rubber
flooring is among the most cost-effective resilient
flooring to maintain. Regular dry dusting and
mopping with a mild cleaner combined with periodic
buffing and stripping (as needed) is all you
need to keep Flexi-Flor® flooring beautiful
for years! Beyond a mild cleaner, no special
chemicals are needed at all. The rubber flooring
will permit sanitizers, such as full strength
bleach, to be used with no adverse affects.
Stripping
Why do it: A new rubber floor
should be stripped after it is installed to remove
lubricant applied during manufacturing. Otherwise,
as a general rule, Flexi-Flor® rubber flooring
does not need to be stripped. However, because
waxes and finishes from other flooring may be tracked
onto your rubber flooring, occasional stripping
of your floor might be needed.
When to do it: After
the installation of new rubber flooring to remove
lubricant applied during manufacturing and as
needed.
How to do it: Follow
the stripper manufacturer’s recommended
stripping procedure and recommended scrubbing
pad.
General
Cleaning
Why do it: Cleaning protects
your floor from ground in dirt. Most of the time
you will clean your floor instead of stripping.
When to do it: As
needed.
How to do it: Clean
floor thoroughly with a good grade of mild detergent
cleaner. Use cleaner manufacturer’s recommended
cleaning procedure.
Neutralize
Why do it: Strippers
and detergents will try to “keep working” until
neutralized. This can result in discoloration because
of residue on flooring.
When to do it: After
stripping or cleaning.
How to do it: While stripper or detergent is still wet on floor,
add minimum 10 percent solution of liquid chlorine
bleach. Vacuum, mop or squeegee the neutralized
solution from floor. Then follow Steps 3 through
5 in the “Five Steps to Maintaining a Great
Looking Floor” listed below.
Rinse
Why do it: Rinsing removes the
neutralized stripper or soap solution along with
the dirt from the floor. If you do not rinse, any
dirt “lifted” from
floor will just be redeposited as the solution
dries.
When to do it: After
any stripping or cleaning procedure.
How to do it: Rinse
neutralized stripper or soap solution from floor
with clean warm water (may need more than one
rinse).
Buffing
Why do it: Buffing rubber
flooring helps the floor to maintain its high
luster appearance. Because of the oxidation
properties of Flexi-Flor® rubber compound,
each buffing session will make your floor shinier
than the last time. Over time, you will find
that you will need to buff your floor less and
less!
When to do it: After
stripping and mopping a new rubber floor and
as needed. Buff only after cleaning.
How to do it: After
mopping your floor and letting it dry thoroughly,
buff using an ultra high-speed buffer with a “red” pad. A light mist of
clear water ahead of the buffer helps to develop
sheen. After sheen is developed, a higher gloss
may be obtained with a “white” super-polishing
pad. Dry dust if necessary. As noted above, new
rubber flooring will require more frequent buffing
until a high sheen is established.
Dry
Dusting
Why do it: Dry dusting should
be a part of your regular maintenance schedule
to remove loose dirt or dust from the floor surface.
When to do it: After
buffing or as needed.
How to do it: Follow
duster manufacturer’s instructions.
Note: Do
not use dusters treated with mineral oil or other
petroleum products.
Five Steps To Maintaining A Great Looking
Floor
These steps should be followed immediately
after installing Flexi-Flor® rubber
flooring.
Step 1 – Strip: Using the
stripper manufacturer’s recommended stripping
procedure and scrubbing pad, thoroughly machine
strip and scrub your new floor.
Clean:
(Note: Cleaning is not a substitute for the stripping
required on new rubber flooring) Clean floor using
a mild detergent following the detergent manufacturer’s
recommended procedures.
Step 2 – Neutralize: Neutralize
the stripper with a minimum 10% solution of liquid
chlorine bleach. Vacuum, mop or squeegee the neutralized
solution from the floor.
Step 3 – Rinse: Rinse the
floor surface clean warm water (may need two or
more rinses).
Step 4 – Buff: Once the
floor is dry, buff using an ultra high-speed buffer
with a “red” pad. A light mist of clear
water ahead of the buffer helps to develop sheen.
After sheen is developed, a higher gloss may be
obtained with a “white” super polishing
pad. Note that new rubber flooring will require
more frequent buffing until a high sheen is established.
Step 5 – Dust or Mop: Dry
dust or mop floors.
Note: Do not
use dusters or mops treated with mineral oil or
other petroleum products. |
