Winter in Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland brings snow, slush and plenty of ice melt. Ice melt keeps sidewalks safe, but it does not stay outside. It comes in on shoes, dries into a white film on hard floors and works its way into carpet. By spring, many commercial buildings have dull floors, stained carpet and worn entryways that cost far more to fix than they would have cost to protect.
Here is what winter does to commercial floors and a practical plan to keep yours in good shape until the snow is gone.
Why is ice melt so hard on commercial floors?
What does ice melt do to hard floors?
Most ice melt products are salts. When the water dries, salt crystals and residue are left behind. As people walk over them, the grit scratches and dulls the floor finish. Some products also leave a film that ordinary cleaners only smear around.
What does ice melt do to carpet?
Salt draws in moisture and holds dirt, leaving stiff, white or dark patches near entrances. Vacuuming removes loose grit, but it does not remove dissolved salt from the carpet fibers.
Are wet winter floors a safety risk?
Yes. Melting snow and slush make hard floors slippery, especially in entryways and lobbies. Slips and falls are a common winter injury in commercial buildings and are largely preventable.
Where does winter floor damage show up first?
- Entryways and vestibules, where most snow and salt comes off shoes.
- The first stretch of hallway past each entrance.
- Elevator floors and stairwells.
- Carpet near doors, reception desks and break rooms.
- Showroom and lobby floors in busy buildings such as banks and car dealerships.
How can you protect commercial floors in winter?
How do entrance mats help?
Matting is the least expensive floor protection you can buy. Use a scraper mat outside to remove snow and grit, then a longer absorbent mat inside so people take several steps on it. Mats only work if they are cleaned or swapped often. A soaked mat stops trapping water and starts spreading it.
How often should entryways be cleaned during snowy weather?
Daily, and more often in busy buildings during storms. That means dust mopping to remove grit, then damp mopping with a cleaner designed to dissolve salt residue. Daily entryway care is part of our commercial cleaning services in winter.
Should you refinish hard floors before winter?
A fresh coat of floor finish in the fall gives hard floors a protective layer, so salt wears on the finish instead of the floor. If floors already look dull, stripping and refinishing can restore them. Our guide to carpet steam cleaning vs. floor stripping and waxing explains the difference.
How do you remove salt from carpet?
Hot water extraction rinses dissolved salt and dirt out of carpet fibers. Many buildings schedule a deep carpet cleaning in mid-winter and again in spring. Learn the signs your commercial space needs professional carpet cleaning.
Get your building ready for winter. PBC Professional Building Cleaning provides janitorial service, floor care and carpet cleaning across Northern Colorado. Request a free quote.
How do you keep floors safe on stormy days?
Place wet floor signs, keep a dry mop near each entrance and check entryways several times a day during storms.
What should different types of buildings focus on?
- Banks: lobbies need to look clean all day, so midday entryway touch-ups during storms help.
- Car dealerships: showroom floors show every salt mark, and customers walk in straight from the lot.
- Medical facilities: wet floors are a fall risk for patients, so entrance checks matter even more.
- Apartment buildings: hallway carpet and elevator floors take the most salt.
- Industrial facilities: grit and slush from loading areas spread quickly into offices and break rooms.
When should you call a professional cleaning company?
Call for help if salt stains will not come up with normal mopping, hard floors look hazy, carpet near the doors feels stiff or crunchy, or your team does not have time for daily entryway care. Our special cleaning services include carpet steaming and deep floor care. You can also read how often your office should be professionally cleaned.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you remove ice melt residue from commercial floors?
Dust mop first to remove grit, then damp mop with a neutral or salt-removing floor cleaner and rinse. For heavy buildup, machine scrubbing works best.
Can ice melt damage carpet?
Yes. Salt stiffens fibers, holds dirt and can leave white or dark stains. Hot water extraction is the most effective way to remove it.
How often should entryways be cleaned in winter?
Daily during snowy periods, and several times a day in busy buildings during storms.
When is the best time to refinish commercial floors?
Fall is ideal, so the new finish protects floors through winter. A spring cleaning then removes leftover salt.
Do entrance mats really make a difference?
Yes. Good mats trap much of the water and grit before it reaches your floors, as long as they are long enough and cleaned often.
Who can help keep your floors in shape this winter?
PBC Professional Building Cleaning serves Fort Collins, Greeley, Boulder, Denver and Frederick. Contact us today to set up winter floor care for your building.
