In recent years, the use of stone floors has dramatically increased. In fact, while attending a recent trade show in Las Vegas, I noticed that most of the newly remodeled hotels used stone for hard-surface floors, adding a touch of luxury and contemporary style.
Ideal for the hospitality industry, there are actually two basic types of stone flooring:
• Natural, such as granite, marble, slate, and limestone; and
• Man-made, such as terrazzo and poured concrete.
The most popular hard-surface flooring is granite. And, similar to its stone floor counterparts, granite is preferred in hotel properties because it can look great and, with proper care, is extremely durable.
A well-maintained and properly installed stone floor can last for years and is readily adaptable to different styles and interiors should remodeling occur—a cost-effective choice in the long run. However, care and maintenance are key and stone flooring can be a challenge to maintain.
Eye Toward Sustainability
As hotel properties move toward green cleaning and the use of more environmentally responsible cleaning systems, chemicals, and equipment, hotel managers will not only want to know how best to maintain their stone floors, but also how to do it in a more environmentally responsible manner.
Before developing any type of cleaning program for stone floors, including a green cleaning system, the first step is to review the stone manufacturers’ guidelines. If not available, many manufacturers will provide these guidelines on their websites. Additionally, a knowledgeable janitorial distributor can prove to be an invaluable resource when it comes to proper stone floor care.
A primary goal of green cleaning and stone floor care, including mopping, polishing, scrubbing, etc., is to maximize cleaning’s performance, while minimizing frequency. This is accomplished by controlling dust and grit, which typically starts with the placement of 15 feet or more of high-performance matting at key entries, such as lobby floors, which are very often granite or another stone surface.
Matting is also considered a key component of green cleaning. Green organizations and leading trade associations recognize high-performance matting as an effective means to eliminate the majority of soils, contaminants, and moisture that can enter a building. Therefore, matting is an important component in sustainability and protecting stone floors.
Cleaning Instructions
A stone floor should be frequently dust mopped, preferably using microfiber, which is another green element in floor care. At the Las Vegas hotel I stayed in, for example, the stone floor entry lobby was dust mopped throughout the day. Some additional steps to take include:
• Damp mop the stone floor frequently always using clean water and a fresh mop.
• Use an automatic scrubber to deep clean the floor and be sure to change the rinse water frequently. An automatic scrubber will apply cleaning solution as well as scrub, strip, clean, vacuum and squeegee the floor dry all in one pass. This promotes safety in heavily trafficked areas.
• Use a neutral cleaning solution designed for stone care. Other cleaners may leave a film on the floor so be sure to review product labels and check manufacturers’ guidelines. Chemicals should always be used sparingly on stone floors, which protects the floor and is more environmentally responsible. Additionally, there are green-certified floor care cleaning solutions available.
• Seal the floor. This will help protect the floor and is highly recommended. Fortunately, there are numerous environmentally responsible sealants available that have few harmful ingredients and few volatile organic compounds.
To keep the stone floor shiny, it will need to be polished regularly. One of the very best tools to use is a standard 175 (or 320) rpm buffer with a 17-inch or 20-inch path. Select equipment that has a single piece molded motor housing to better balance the machine. Also, look for machines that have a smooth power start-up. A smooth start-up prevents the “jerk” response, which protects the user’s well-being and the stone floor from damage.
Some housekeepers polish the floor using a “polishing powder.” These powders must be carefully applied and, as mentioned earlier, users must adhere to manufacturers’ instructions. A janitorial distributor is able to help select polishing powders that are more environmentally responsible.
Where’s the Green?
As more lodging facilities incorporate stone floors, many will realize that there are several ways to include environmentally responsible processes. However, managers and owners will also come to find that “green” in stone care has limitations. One reason is that many chemical manufacturers have found it difficult to make green replicas of conventional stone floor cleaners, sealants, and other products.
However, going green is not necessarily an all-or-nothing proposition. Any step hotel properties take to make their cleaning procedures more environmentally responsible is a step in the right direction. And, as technology improves, we can expect more environmentally preferable stone care products to hit the market.
Rob Godlewski is a jansan industry veteran and now vice-president of marketing for Powr-Flite, a leading manufacturer of professional cleaning equipment. He may be reached at r.godlewski@tacony.com.
