Alturasolutions publishes articles in the trade publications your end-customers read and trust, turning words into sales. This article, LVT Flooring – What It Is – How to Clean It was published for client Kaivac
Some LVT floors, especially wood LVT floors, have a granular surface, making it feel like the real thing. LVT is one of the first computer-generated floors. Essentially how it is made is that an image of a true wood or granite floor, for instance, is imputed into the computer. From there, the computer designs the floor, and then, using advanced manufacturing equipment, the floor is created.
Beyond the fact that the LVT floor so closely resembles the floor it is copying are two key benefits:
(1) An LVT floor is invariably less expensive, often much less expensive, than the floor it is designed to mimic, and
(2) An LVT floor tends to be much more durable than the floor it is replicating.
For example, let’s say a student walks into a private university where a traditional wood floor is installed. If the student has stones or grit on his or her shoe bottoms, the chances that those stones or grit might mar the wood floor-potentially even requiring that it be resurfaced-can be considerable. While an LVT floor is certainly not impenetrable, it more than likely will hold up much better than the real wood floor and might not show any damage whatsoever.
Cleaning LVT
Because LVT looks so similar to the floor it is mimicking and also retails at a far lower price point and tends to be more durable, building managers and cleaning contractors will likely see more new commercial facilities as well as newly renovated commercial facilities with LVT floors, if they haven’t already. Cleaning contractors need to know how to properly clean these floors to keep them looking their best.
First, the very good news: in most cases, LVT floors do not need to be finished. This is actually another cost savings for the facility owner because stripping and refinishing floors can be costly. But it is also one less consideration, and a big one at that, that cleaning contractors must be concerned about. Now, the good news: overall, LVT floors require only light maintenance. However, do not interpret “light” maintenance to mean no maintenance. A typical floor-care program for an LVT floor is the following:
On a daily basis, dust mop or vacuum the floor using a canister or backpack vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner is preferable because it pulls dust, soil, and grit from the floor. While a dust mop also will remove some dust, grit, and soil, it has a tendency to push a considerably large amount of these contaminants from one area of the floor to another. Also, vacuuming is more protective of indoor air quality than dust mopping the floor. Further, avoid using an oil-treated dust mop. The treatment may leave streaks on the floor and also make it slippery.
Enjoy More at Private University Products and News
