November 2021 | E&M Services

Carpet tiles have recently become a popular flooring option in the commercial sector. Working environments that have a high amount of footfall makes using carpet tiles ideal due to its durability and easiness to maintain. With a wide range of designs and the low-cost, carpet tiles can be a great way to transform the look of a workspace. However, as with all flooring, carpet tiles require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent any lasting damage. Tips on cleaning and maintaining carpet tiles While an easy option maybe to simply replace an affected tile, treating and maintaining carpet tiles can help to make sure they continue to look good and last longer. Maintaining carpet tiles is especially important in environments, such as schools, where tiles are more susceptible to dirt and stains. Fortunately, carpet tiles are designed to be cleaned and maintained easily. 1. Vacuuming As with regular carpets and rugs, vacuuming is an essential step to maintaining carpet squares. Regularly vacuuming any carpet helps to remove dirt that is liable to be present, and carpet tiles are no exception. Depending on the amount of footfall will determine how often you need to vacuum. Flooring that is likely to see normal amounts of footfall may only require vacuuming 2 or 3 times a week. However, environments with heavy footfall, such as schools (where mud is likely to be brought in regularly off shoes) will require more frequent vacuuming. In this instance, it may be necessary to vacuum carpet tiles 4 or 5 times a week. Doing so will help to retain the appearance of the tiles and avoid any lasting marks. To make sure dirt does not get grounded into the carpet, loosening any clumps of dirt first will ensure it is easily picked up by the vacuum. By using a brush vacuum, it can help to remove around 80% of any dirt, including the areas where dirt may have been trodden into the fabric. Taking the time to vacuum in a methodical manner will also help to pick up as much debris as possible. Remember to regularly empty the vacuum or change the bag as cleaners do not operate as effectively when full. 2. Treating affected areas Stains are an inevitable problem with any carpet, and carpet tiles are no exception. Before you begin to remove any stains, it is important to first find out what the backing material is. The most common carpet backing is bitumen and PVC. While bitumen does allow for a studier tile, it is important to only use cleaners that are suited for this material, otherwise stains will appear through onto the surface of the carpet fibres from the backing. Always check to make sure the cleaner you are using is suitable for the flooring to avoid any damage. The quicker you act, the easier it will be to remove the stains. The longer a stain is left to dry into the fabric it will make it much more difficult to remove. To make sure the cleaning solution you are using is safe; test it out on an unseen piece of a carpet first. Never put any cleaning solution directly onto the carpet fabric. Begin by adding water to the affected first before applying the cleaning solution to a cloth. Blotting the stain from the outside and in towards the centre will also help to prevent any lasting stains. Upon removing the stain, rinse the treated area with clean water, especially if a water-based solvent was used, and make sure the treated area is dry to avoid any further stains. 3. Dry cleaning Another alternative to treating affected areas is dry cleaning. Stains that may occur during the school day will require a quicker method to remove the stains. Compared to using a cleaning solution, dry cleaning works with little to no moisture. It is also a much faster method, and can be achieved in an hour or less, making it an ideal method for removing stains in a school environment. Dry cleaning is achieved by using a cleaning compound to clean an area of a carpet, including carpet tiles. Before applying a dry cleaning compound, remove any excess dirt by vacuuming the affected area. A dry cleaning compound, usually a dry powder compound, is then evenly spread over the affected area and brushed in to allow it to work deep into the fibres. Check the instructions to see how much to apply and for how long it should be left to properly work into the fabric. The compound then works by absorbing any dirt that may have worked its way into the fibres. Once the specified time has passed, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the cleaning powder. Make sure all the excess powder residue is picked up as it can quickly re-stain the carpet. 4. Deep-clean Deep cleaning is one more way to clean and maintain carpet tiles. As deep cleaning should be carried out by a professional carpet cleaner, it is not a cleaning method that is required on a regularly basis. On average, carpet tiles should be deep cleaned once every 12 months depending on dirt build up, making it an ideal cleaning method during the summer holidays. E&M Services are a Coventry based specialist flooring contractor working with commercial and domestic clients. Working across the West Midlands, we have a vast experience and expertise in supplying and installing all kinds of flooring, including carpet tiles. We regularly carry out work for a variety of different sectors, including healthcare and education, and even undertake smaller projects such as school reception upgrades. You can take a look at some of the work we have carried out in our portfolio. If you would like a quotation for your flooring works, please get in touch

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