Clean and well-maintained floors are essential in commercial and industrial workplaces. Whether you work in an office, warehouse, retail space, hotel, or hospital, maintaining your facility’s floors year-round can be challenging and costly.
This “Facility Floor Care 101” guide will walk you through some of the latest commercial and industrial floor care cleaning and maintenance solutions designed to help you maintain your high-traffic flooring more efficiently and effectively. From vinyl to hardwood, and concrete to carpets, each floor surface type can require specialized equipment, materials and cleaning chemicals for proper care and maintenance. Let’s examine the most common commercial and industrial flooring types and the most popular and effective floor care solutions for each - including sweepers, scrubbers, burnishers, vacuums, and floor mats as well as key cleaning supplies, accessories, and replacement parts (like floor pads, brushes, bags, filters, and cleaners).
Floor Surfaces: Let’s Look at the Basics
Proper floor care begins with understanding the types of flooring surfaces you’re looking to maintain. Different flooring materials require unique maintenance practices, and the right equipment can make all the difference in maintaining both appearance and function. Let’s explore common floor surfaces and recommended products and best-practices to maintain each.
Concrete & Stone Floors
Ideal for high-traffic commercial, municipal, and industrial environments, concrete and stone floors are cost-effective and durable; however, they can become stained or damaged if not properly sealed and maintained. Sweep first, then use a gentle solution and mop or scrubber to lift dirt and scuffs. Avoid acidic cleaners and abrasive cleaning tools, which could tarnish the surface (especially stone).
Products to Use:
- Concrete & Stone Cleaners: These heavy-duty cleaners are designed to penetrate deep into porous surfaces, breaking down grime and oil stains that are common in industrial settings. They are formulated to clean without damaging the integrity of the concrete or stone. When it comes to warehouse floor cleaning, they can’t be beat.
- Floor Scrubbers: A floor scrubber is a powerful machine that scrubs away dirt, grime, and stains from concrete and stone surfaces. It’s particularly useful for large industrial spaces and other areas exposed to heavy foot traffic.
- Sealers: Concrete and stone sealers protect the floors from moisture, stains, and dirt. Regular application of a sealer helps preserve the floor’s integrity and makes future cleaning easier.
Vinyl (LVT) Linoleum Floors
Vinyl, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and linoleum are popular flooring options due to their durability and ease of maintenance. However, like any high-traffic floors, these surfaces can accumulate dirt and grime, which can dull their finish over time. To keep these surfaces looking their best, sweep or dry-mop first to pick up dirt and debris that could scratch or puncture the floor. Avoid harsh floor cleaning chemicals that can dull the shine or alter the color, and use a (pH) neutral cleaning solution for linoleum floors.
Products to Use:
- Vinyl (LVT) & Linoleum Floor Cleaners: These cleaners are specially formulated to preserve the finish of vinyl and linoleum floors, removing dirt and grime without damaging the surface. These floor cleaners are pH-balanced and typically contain ingredients that help restore a glossy shine.
- Floor Polishers: Floor polishers utilize rotating pads to buff and polish the floor surface, bringing back a professional-grade high-gloss finish. Regular use of a floor polisher helps protect the surface by creating a layer that resists dirt and moisture.
- Floor Strippers: For deep cleaning, a floor stripper removes old layers of wax or finish. It’s perfect for stripping away old polish before reapplying a fresh coat to restore the floor’s appearance.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors offer a classic look but are more susceptible to scratching and water damage. To preserve their beauty, avoid abrasive solutions and use a gentle cleaner intended for wood floors. Sweep first, then apply a diluted cleaning solution with a soft mop. Avoid excess moisture when cleaning, as that can be absorbed by the porous surface of wood flooring and lead to damage over time.
Products to Use:
- Hardwood Floor Cleaners: These pH-neutral cleaners are designed to gently clean the surface without damaging solid or engineered wood flooring. They lift dirt, dust, and grime while maintaining the floor's natural beauty.
- Soft-bristled Brooms: Soft-bristled brooms are perfect for sweeping hardwood floors without leaving scratches or damage. Their gentle bristles lift dust and debris from the floor surface, preventing wear and tear.
- Mop Bucket & Wringers: Mop buckets with wringers help control the amount of water on the mop, preventing excessive moisture that can warp wood floors. The bucket provides ample space for the cleaning solution and water, ensuring efficiency during mopping sessions.
Laminate Floors
Laminate floors often mimic the look of wood but are more resistant to moisture than solid or engineered wood flooring. Choose gentle solutions and tools when cleaning laminate. Sweep first, then use a damp mop or floor scrubber to wash the surface, being careful to not leave standing water behind.
Products to Use:
- Laminate Floor Cleaners: These specialized cleaners are designed to clean laminate surfaces without dulling or damaging the finish. They work effectively to remove dirt, dust, and stains while preserving the laminate’s appearance.
- Microfiber Mops: Microfiber mops are highly effective at cleaning laminate floors, as their fibers trap dust and dirt without scratching the surface. These mops are ideal for a gentle yet thorough cleaning that leaves no streaks behind.
Ceramic Floors
Ceramic tile floors are popular in kitchens and bathrooms. These floors are generally easy to clean, but grout lines can accumulate dirt. Use a neutral solution and soft mop. Make sure to sweep first, so debris doesn't scratch the surface; and don't forget the grout. Specialized grout cleaners can lift dirt, dust, and grime, leaving floors looking like new:
Products to Use:
- Tile & Grout Cleaner: These cleaners are formulated to tackle the unique challenges of tile and grout. They break down grime and buildup on both tiles and grout lines, helping maintain a clean, polished surface.
- Scrub Brushes: These brushes are essential for getting into the grout lines, where dirt and stains tend to accumulate. They’re available in various stiffness levels, allowing for effective cleaning without damaging the tiles.
- Floor Polishers: For a high-gloss finish, floor polishers are ideal for restoring shine to ceramic tiles. This floor cleaner machine brings out the floor’s natural beauty and maintains its professional appearance.
Carpet Floors
Appreciated for its warmth and comfort, carpeting is a common floor covering in offices, hotels, and homes. Carpets can more easily trap dust, dirt, and allergens than other commercial flooring types, making regular carpet maintenance essential. Vacuum daily to lift dirt and dust, and tackle stains with a stain remover as soon as they are noticed. Every few months, depending on how heavily trafficked the area is, use a floor machine and deodorizing solvent to give the carpet a deep clean.
Products to Use:
- Carpet Cleaners & Extractors: These machines are designed for deep cleaning carpets by agitating fibers and extracting dirt, moisture, and cleaning solution. Carpet extractors are ideal for removing stains and allergens from the carpet fibers.
- Steam Cleaners: Ideal for healthcare, hospitality and foodservice, steam cleaners lift and dissolve dirt, grease, and grime from various surfaces using high temperatures produced by steam (rather than harsh chemicals) to kill bacteria, viruses, and germs.
- Vacuum Cleaners: A good vacuum cleaner is crucial for removing dirt, dust, and debris from carpets. Vacuums with HEPA filters are also effective at trapping allergens and improving indoor air quality.
- Carpet Spot Removers: Carpet spot removers are formulated to tackle stains and spills on carpets before they set in, ensuring a cleaner, fresher carpet surface.
Floor Care Essentials: The Basics You Need to Know
Regardless of the type of flooring in your facility, an effective floor care program will incorporate a variety of maintenance equipment and cleaning supplies. Let’s explore some of the more popular floor care solutions designed to keep commercial and industrial floors safe, clean, and looking like-new for your employees, customers, and guests.
Floor Machines
Designed to clean, polish, and maintain various floor types, these scrubbers, sweepers, and burnishers are a must-have for industrial floor cleaning. Depending on your floor care needs, there are several machines that can make your job easier. So, let’s take a look at the floor scrubbers and sweepers you should have in your floor-cleaning toolkit.
Sweepers
Sweepers help collect dust, dirt, and debris, making them ideal for large areas or high-traffic environments. They ensure quick and efficient cleaning of hard floor surfaces.
Scrubbers
Scrubbers are powerful machines that wash and scrub floors simultaneously, removing dirt and stains from large spaces efficiently.
Floor Burnishers
These machines are used to polish floors and bring out a glossy, high-shine finish, ideal for creating a professional look in commercial spaces.
Vacuums
Designed primarily for carpets, vacuums come in various models such as upright, backpack, or canister. They’re essential for keeping carpeted floors clean, especially in high-traffic areas.
Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaning provides an eco-friendly way to sanitize and deep clean floors without harsh chemicals. A great steam cleaning machine is highly effective in removing dirt and stains.
Carpet Cleaners & Extractors
These machines are specifically designed for deep cleaning carpets, extracting dirt, moisture, and stains from the fibers to restore the carpet’s look and feel.
Dryer Fans
After cleaning, dryer fans help speed up the drying process, preventing mold and mildew buildup and ensuring a quick return to normal operations.
Cleaning Tools
In addition to floor machines, you’ll need a variety of cleaning tools for daily maintenance. These include:
Scrub Brushes
Use scrub brushes to tackle tough stains, especially on tile grout or textured surfaces.
Brooms and Dusters
Brooms are essential for sweeping hard floors, while dusters are perfect for removing dust from surfaces and hard-to-reach corners.
Mops and Mop Buckets
Mops are necessary for daily cleaning, while mop buckets with wringers ensure efficient use of cleaning solution and water.
Replacement Parts
Keep spare parts for your floor machines on hand, such as brushes, belts, or vacuum bags, to ensure that your equipment remains in good working order.
Floor Pads
Floor pads are essential for maintaining clean, polished surfaces in commercial and industrial settings. Designed for use with floor machines, they efficiently scrub, buff, or polish with or without chemicals. Specialized pads like stripping pads and sanding discs remove old finishes or smooth out scuffed surfaces.
Scrubbing Pads
Effectively remove black marks and embedded soil without stripping floor finishes. Ideal for tile and shallow grout, they reduce the need for harsh chemicals.
Single Shift Scrubbing Pads
Designed for daily use, these pads streamline maintenance with a one-pad solution for all hard surface floors.
Pad Drivers
Securely hold cleaning pads in place for scrubbing or stripping. The center key keeps pads stable and prevents floor damage.
Stripping Pads
Built for heavy-duty tasks, these pads strip wax, dirt, and finish with aggressive fibers and open web construction for chemical flow-through.
Buffing Pads
Made from polyester fibers, these pads clean, remove scuffs, and restore shine—used damp or dry.
Polishing Pads
Ideal for marble, terrazzo, concrete, and soft waxed wood floors. Remove scuffs and heel marks for a renewed finish.
Sand Screen Discs
Perfect for dull or scuffed floors, these double-sided mesh discs are non-loading and work wet or dry.
Carpet Bonnets
Clean carpets quickly with durable bonnets that scrub deeply and lift embedded dirt using a floor machine.
Burnishing Pads
Use with high-speed machines to clean, condition, and leave floors dust-free with a high-gloss shine.
Steel Wool Pads
Tackle tough messes, wax buildup, or polish floors to a brilliant luster. Suitable for cleaning, scrubbing, and finishing.
Floor Pad & Chemical Bundles
Eco-friendly pads made from 100% recycled materials and bound with water-based resins—safe, sustainable, and effective.
Floor Mats
While floor mats are known to promote safety and enhance comfort, they are often overlooked as a preventative floor care solution. Any flooring surface that may face high traffic, come in contact with moisture, or face abuse from equipment, can benefit from floor mats that can prolong floor life and simplify maintenance. They come in various types, each designed for a specific purpose. Let’s break them down:
Entrance Mats
Used to trap dirt and moisture from shoes before they enter the building, entrance mats help keep floors cleaner and prevent slips.
Drainage Mats
Ideal for areas exposed to liquids, drainage mats promote water drainage and prevent slips, making them perfect for industrial or wet environments.
Anti-Fatigue Mats
These mats reduce strain on workers who stand for long periods, providing cushioning that helps improve comfort and reduce fatigue.
Chair Mats
These mats protect floors from the wear caused by rolling office chairs, helping to preserve the surface and reduce scratches.
Heated Mats
Used in cold environments, heated mats help keep floors comfortable and prevent ice buildup.
Cleaning Supplies
Understandably the appropriate use of floor cleaning equipment will help maintain safe and clean floors, but equally important are the floor care supplies that are used in conjunction with the floor care equipment. Depending on the surface, frequency of cleaning, the floor’s daily usage, and desired outcome, there are cleaning supplies that align with your specific needs. Select the best combination of cleaning supplies to maintain your floor with our “Floor Care: Cleaning & Maintenance Supplies Guide” (link to, name tbc).
Remember, great floor care is an ongoing process that needs the right tools, products, and practices to keep your floors clean, safe, and looking like new. By selecting the right cleaners, polishers, scrubbers, and accessories, you can maintain the beauty and functionality of your floors for years to come.
Global Industrial offers a wide range of commercial and industrial floor care equipment and supplies. Should you or your team need any assistance choosing the right floor care (or other) solutions for your facility, please contact the experts at Global Industrial. The Source for Industrial Equipment and Supplies.
The information contained in this article is for informational, educational, and promotional purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. It is the reader’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations. If there is any question or doubt in regard to any element contained in this article, please consult a licensed professional. Under no circumstances will Global Industrial® be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on this article.