Caring for commercial carpets and upholstery

Alan Lewin of Service Master Clean discusses how you can dramatically improve the performance and lifespan of carpets and furniture

First impressions in business count. Boardroom carpets, upholstered meeting room chairs and reception area floors should be regularly and professionally cleaned to give a positive message about company professionalism.

This will also improve the performance and lifespan of carpets and furniture and provide a healthier environment for staff, helping reduce work absenteeism.

Specialised cleaning Different surfaces and fabrics all have varied cleaning requirements.

Some vinyl floor surfaces may require deep scrubbing using a rotary machine and a suitable brush head to properly clean the floor.Other floors may benefit from having damaged seals removed and fresh coatings applied.

Too often, individuals without any specialist training are given the task of cleaning these fabrics.The persons contracted to clean and maintain carpets and upholstery must be competent to do so.

Refurbishment The extent of refurbishment of flooring or upholstery depends upon the actual damage and type and location of the floor. For example, the wooden furniture used in a seating area within a popular food court was being damaged by the table edge every time it was pushed in by a customer, and when the cleaning staff came in to clean the floors they were turning the chairs up on to the table, causing further damage.

ServiceMaster's furniture repair and restoration brand, Furniture Medic was able to cost-effectively pad and cover the chairs with a hard wearing vinyl, cushioning the chair backs against the damaging effect of the table top.

The technology for dealing with surfaces that were previously considered beyond repair has improved dramatically, demonstrating the cost effectiveness of using trained professionals. Instead of tearing damaged floors and upholstery out and supplying and laying new materials, it is now possible to carry out full restoration.

How to choose a specialist provider When hiring a specialist for your carpets, upholstery or soft furnishings you should check the following: Does the company have professional accreditation? Make sure the company is highly trained and has evidence of certification A reputable company will bring all their own equipment. In addition, a growing number of companies provide green cleaning techniques which are safer for the environment and your staff Make sure the selected service provider carries adequate insurance to cover any damage.Have they provided risk assessments, method statements and permits to work?

Frequency of carpet and upholstery cleaning Without regular, expert cleaning, carpet or upholstery that could remain fresh and bright for 30 years will be dull and worn after as little as ten years.Which is why investing in expert cleaning makes sound financial sense.

Vacuuming: A commercial grade vacuum cleaner should be used daily in all areas Spot Cleaning:This should be undertaken by a trained professional using correct techniques and ensuring the right cleaning solutions and quantities are used Interim Maintenance Cleaning: High traffic areas in the building may require either weekly or fortnightly cleaning. It is advisable to consult the manufacturer for their recommendations and to adhere to them Restorative Cleaning: It may be necessary to carry this out on a quarterly basis to remove deeply imbedded soil, improve the indoor air quality, removing any residues from interim maintenance cleaning and to refresh the carpet's texture and fabrics

When disaster strikes Trying to sort out a business after a fire or flood is an unappealing task. Always call in a professional restoration service which knows the right clean-up and restoration techniques. For instance, if there is a great deal of flood water, you may need professional pumping equipment or a suitably powerful water extraction machine. If a carpet has been directly subjected to flames it may be a right off, but for smoke damage and odours, a professional carpet cleaning service trained in restoration can help.