by Brianna Crandall — February 19, 2016—“When it snows, it salts,” quips Betco, provider of support to facilities maintenance professionals since 1950. While salt trucks go about their business keeping the roads a little bit safer for all of us, it is our facilities’ floors that wind up in danger, points out the company. As people come and go in a facility, they stomp, shake, and dump snow, slush, and salt on floors everywhere. This can wreak havoc on both carpet and hard-surface floors.
A snowy, slushy mess does not end after it dries, the company points out, as unmelted rock salt and stains can be left behind. The stains appear as white as snow across all types of floor surfaces.
According to Betco, there is good news: These stains are actually preventable, and the floors are savable. Salt stains are not harmful if attended to quickly.
Matting to prevent stains
The company’s advice for the first line of defense against this winter weather woe is to use a reliable matting system. A matting system acts as a first line of defense against tracked-in contaminants on floors. Over 80 percent of dirt and residues are brought in by people entering the facility; a good entrance matting system can trap 90 percent of this dirt and debris that is brought in.
According to Betco, a successful matting system includes:
- A high-thread-count mat with a rubber back to avoid slipping.
- Scraper mats in entry areas that contain rough threads that will trap more dirt and grime from shoes.
- Wider mats, which allow more time for shoes to dry before entering the facility.
Regular maintenance cleaning
The company points out that regular maintenance cleaning can help regulate the amount of contaminants brought in. Outside entries should be kept clear by shoveling snow and ice up to 25 feet away from the building. Vacuuming floor mats daily can eliminate excess ice melt and dirt from entering the building, and help prevent salt stains.
Hardwood floors
The company reminds facilities managers that it is important to keep in mind that hardwood floors are vulnerable during the winter. There is danger afoot due to a combination of increased moisture and salt that can potentially harm hardwood floors and finish. A white film forming on the surface of the floor boards will appear from salt residue. The stain not only looks bad, but if it remains too long it will begin to diminish the floor finish and shine.
Betco also says it is extremely important to use a matting system on high-traffic entrances with wood floors. Keeping these entrances clean and free of debris, melted snow, and slush is the most proactive step to protect a hardwood floor investment.
Floor machines to remove stains
For an effective floor care solution to fight salt and other floor stains, Betco advises the use of its FiberCAP 20 Carpet Machine with FiberCAP MP, which is a low-moisture, multi-purpose encapsulation cleaner system. Specifically designed to trap debris and lift it from the carpet fiber, the FiberCAP system reportedly works well for getting rid of stubborn salt stains in carpet.
