Anyone who owns a business knows that the look of a space impacts everyone from employees to customers or clients. Let’s face it: your commercial enterprise likely has a lot of foot traffic in and out every day. And, all of that traffic is hard on your commercial carpeting.
If you want to save costs, pay attention to your carpeting. Ignoring your floors doesn’t just cost you money in cleaning or carpet replacement—it can also cause health problems like allergies from dust and mold that may be left behind.
Using these three tips will improve not only improve the look of your business–they’ll save you carpeting replacement costs while boosting the health and morale of those around you.
I. Invest in decent carpet padding
Carpet pad might not be visible, but it plays an important role in protecting your carpet. If you ignore the pad (or choose a substandard pad), the backside of the carpet will rub against the floor boards underneath.
Furthermore, a quality carpet pad also acts as a shock absorber for all the feet and furniture above it. Without a decent carpet pad, you can expect a marked reduction in pile height.
Aside from the wear-and-tear issue, padding adds to the soft feel underfoot, raises your carpet in ways that make vacuuming more productive, and insulates the floor. Proper insulation also keeps your space more temperate.
If your business environment is like most others, it benefits from anything that cuts excess noise. Your carpet pad also as a sound dampener, particularly for upper levels of a building.
Finally, a proper carpet pad helps maintain your carpet warranty. Be sure to ask a professional what pad is appropriate for your commercial carpet, including information on what sort of foot traffic will occur in any given area.
II. Take advantage of entry/exit and chair mats
One of the best strategies for maintaining your commercial carpeting is to use entryway mats, high-traffic carpet runners, and under-chair mats. These carpet protectors reduce dirt entry from the get-go, so they’re particularly useful in high traffic areas around the office.
When installing commercial carpet, tell your carpeting professional where the high traffic areas are. It’s not hard to tell where these areas are if your carpeting has a few months or years under its belt. Look for the dirt and wear and tear; then plan accordingly.
Of course, the protective mats themselves also need maintenance, so it’s a good idea to clean them now and then.
The only downside of runners and under-chair mats is the fact that they tend to depress the pile on your carpeting. Use your best judgment as to what matters most, flattened pile or excess dirt and wear.
III. Remove dirt and stains quickly
Pay attention to your cleaning service. If you want to save money longer term, be sure your service devotes adequate attention to flooring. Ask for services that include frequent vacuuming at the right vacuum height (middle setting generally works well). Additionally, make sure the service vacuums your floors regularly.
As to spills and stains, the burden is probably on you and your employees. If possible, clean the carpet right away before a stain sets. Consider training at least a few employees on how to find the correct cleaning product in your supply closet so the stain doesn’t remain until your next janitorial service. By then it may be too late for the stain—not to mention the look of your carpet.
In the end, remember that these simple tips may spell the difference between constant carpet replacement and periodic replacement. Save your carpet and your budget with a little carpeting TLC!