Maintain your resilient floorcoverings

The Tarkett cleaning programme for vinyl floorcoverings has the following four steps :

• Preventive care
• Daily cleaning
• Interim cleaning
• Periodic cleaning

1. Preventive care:
   Use correctly dimensioned entrance matting to remove dirt in the entrance area.
   

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2. Daily cleaning:
   
   Dry mopping:
   Removes dust and dirt from the floor.
   Use dry or impregnated yarn, micro-fibre or disposable mops.
   
   Vacuum cleaning:
   Removes dust and loose dirt from the floor.
   Can be used instead of mopping in confined spaces.
   
   Damp cleaning:
   The mop is moistened with water or detergent solution; this can be done by either tightly wringing the water from the mop or spraying the mop directly. Water must not be deposited on the floor. The floor must be virtually dry after 15-20 seconds.
   
   Stain removal:
   Removal of soil marks in conjunction with cleaning.
   Use a beige/red nylon pad with neutral detergent and water solution. Then wipe with clean water.
   
   Combined machine:
   May be recommended for very busy and large areas. The machine scrubs, cleans and collects the soiled water in one procedure. Both brushes and pads can be used. Beige/red pad is usually sufficient. Mains or battery-powered machines in various sizes and cylinder brush type are available.
   

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3. Interim cleaning:
   
   Spray cleaning (Except for Safe. T floors):
   Before spray cleaning, always dry/damp mop or vacuum.
   Mix water and neutral detergent or floor maintainer in the container.
   Suitable speed: 300-1500 rpm.
   Be sure to use the correct pad for the correct product.
   
   Manual or machine brush cleaning for Safe.T floors:
   Brush using a neutral floor cleaner (pH 7-10) after vacuuming or damp mopping. Lime scale may form on products installed in wet areas. Lime scale deposit can be removed using an acid cleaner (pH 2-4). Vacuum and rinse with clean water after removal.
   Note: always refer to the rates of dilution from the manufacturers.
   
   Combined machine:
   The machine scrubs, cleans and collects the soiled water in one procedure. Both brushes and pads can be used. Beige/red pad is usually sufficient. Mains or battery-powered machines in various sizes and cylinder brush type are available.
   

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4. Periodic cleaning:
   
   Scrubbing:
   Clean with a single scrubber machine. Low speed (150-200 rpm).
   Red fibre pad is usually sufficient.
   
   Wet vacuuming:
   Used after scrubbing to remove soiled water.
   
   Combined machine:
   The machine scrubs, cleans and collects the soiled water in one procedure. Both brushes and pads can be used. Beige/red pad is usually sufficient. Mains or battery-powered machines in various sizes and cylinder brush-type are available.
   
   Dry buffing (Except for Safe.T floors):
   Mostly recommended for iQ vinyl products. Used to restore the floor’s surface when it is worn.
   After machine scrubbing, floors must always be dry buffed.
   Suitable speed is 300-1000 rpm. Red pads give the best results for homogeneous floorings.
   White/beige pad for heterogeneous.
   
   Gloss and/or protection finish (not for iQ products):
   From time to time, PU coated and linoleum floorings may need an additional polish or wax to restore a brighter or more traditional shiny surface.
   Other floors (acrylic factory finish or non treated) should need more frequent care: protect the floor with appropriate wax or polish and buff with beige/red pad if needed (depending on soil and traffic).
   

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Universal procedures for vinyl floorcoverings

Protect your investment
By following this cleaning programme carefully, your flooring investment will be maximised. Subject to products being installed and maintained correctly, Tarkett will support its full product guarantee.

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