There is a tendency for some commercial establishments to sometimes equate cleaning with providing a better experience — especially for places that serve food. While you definitely want to have a system in place to ensure that your silverware and serving dishes are spotless and clean at all times, there are some areas that you can relax a bit when it comes to cleaning. Your commercial carpets are one such area.
Regular Vacuuming is Sufficient in Most Cases
Most commercial establishments have a protocol in place for regular vacuuming. Typically scheduled at the close of business — or during slow times for restaurants that are open 24 hours — daily vacuuming does more than simply remove crumbs and other debris. It fluffs the carpet fibers and makes it look more inviting.
Spot Clean Only
Of course, you are going to have accidents that require more care than a daily vacuuming. In this case, simply spot clean with a rug cleaner specifically designed for commercial use. Be sure to cordon off the area to avoid having customers trample the wet carpet as doing so can lead to broken carpet fibers and more stains.
Scale Back Carpet Washings
While some high-traffic areas might need to be cleaned more often, in general, it is preferable to scale back carpet washings to no more than once a month. A case in point is the recent decision by Olive Garden to cut back on its twice-monthly cleanings. While Gene Lee, the company’s chief executive officer, notes that this development is a cost-cutting measure fore Olive Garden, it is in line with industry standards recommended by carpet cleaning experts. According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) — a non-profit organization that sets standards for the cleaning industry, among others — extensive treatment and deep cleaning of commercial carpets is only necessary a couple of times each year.
While regular vacuuming and spot cleaning can help keep the carpet fibers looking vibrant and fresh, deep cleaning too often can produce the opposite effect — crushed and limp carpet fibers that lack spring and retain cleaning solution. In addition, the budget that is tapped for this unnecessary carpet cleaning can often be better used elsewhere.
