By Dale Franke, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Acme Paper & Supply Co, Inc.

With winter weather finally in the rearview mirror, it is time for facility managers and owners to turn their attention to floor care maintenance and restoration. After harsh winter months, many commercial buildings have been left with dull and weather-worn hard flooring. Now is the time to focus on reviving floors with stripping, waxing, and refurbishing methods that are essential to proper care and longevity while addressing some of the challenges and opportunities.  

Heightened Cleaning Expectations Vs. Staffing Shortages 

The post-pandemic population has decidedly higher cleaning expectations. People come into office buildings, healthcare facilities, and larger commercial spaces expecting them to be clean, and the floors are one of the first surfaces people notice. But along with the higher cleanliness expectations come the long-standing staffing shortage, posing a challenge for many owners and managers. Labor challenges make cleaning more difficult. The solution? Working more efficiently with the staff you have.  

Equipment is Helping Solve Labor Woes 

The labor shortage is driving investment in equipment that was previously considered optional, including autonomous scrubbers and vacuum cleaners. A 36-inch autoscrubber, for example, can clean a floor much better and faster than slinging a mop.  

Floor stripping and waxing remain the most labor-intensive and costly maintenance tasks. The industry is now prioritizing proper cost analysis to demonstrate equipment return on investment (ROI). Supplying the proper equipment based on the square footage of a building ensures the cleanliness of the building.  

Growing Sustainability Practices  

There continues to be a push toward sustainable floor care products. Traditional strippers and floor finishes are not the most environmentally friendly, a significant concern in 24/7 environments like hospitals. As a result, there has been an uptick in the adoption of low-VOC products and Green Seal-certified options. Water-based floor finishes have also emerged as good solvent-based alternatives, improving both environmental impact and indoor air quality. 

Responding to the higher demand, manufacturers have rapidly developed environmentally friendly options that are both PFAS-free and zinc-free, removing potentially harmful synthetic ingredients and heavy metals without sacrificing performance. Users still have durability and sheen with these greener products, and even when putting a 1500 rpm burnisher on the floor, it holds up. 

Extending Maintenance Cycles and Floor Life 

Perhaps the most significant operational change is extending the time between the complete stripping and waxing of hard floor surfaces. Where facilities would perform these essential maintenance procedures once a year, many are extending these tasks to every two years. Not only does this address staffing issues but also the overall health of the building environment by lessening the use of and exposure to harsher chemicals.  

This extension requires changes to traditional operating procedures and the retraining of staff on more efficient maintenance approaches. Facilities, for example, are implementing occasional "scrub and recoat" procedures that remove only the top two layers where dirt embeds, followed by two fresh coats of floor sealer.  

Extending floor life by using restoration products also increases efficiency. Newer, more specialized restorers work differently than traditional products. New floor restorers are mopped onto the floor after dust mopping, leaving a hazy layer of polymers on the floor. Then, using a 1500 rpm burnisher with a light hog hair pad, the polymers are heated and bonded to the floor. This process helps fill in cracks and imperfections, effectively extending the life cycle of the floor finish without the labor intensity of complete stripping and refinishing. 

Embracing New Technologies 

Newer equipment uses battery technology that has significantly improved equipment capabilities. Lithium-ion batteries provide longer run times and faster charging cycles, eliminating tripping hazards from long cords and improving productivity. Battery-operated commercial and micro-scrubbers are hitting the market, providing facilities with everything they need to clean both large and small areas.  

New technology is being driven by labor issues, and manufacturers are developing reasonably priced, efficient equipment. Now, when an owner or operator lacks manpower, they have the technology to cover the square footage. 

The Internet of Things (IoT) is also modernizing floor care. Newer, more advanced equipment comes with data packages that allow managers to monitor machine usage remotely, tracking run times and cleaning coverage. With a touch of a button, spills and dirt can be reported for spot cleaning in a specific area, allowing for more flexibility for short-staffed cleaning crews.  

Looking Ahead 

At ACME, we have been working with our clients to assess floor maintenance needs and adjust to market trends, including labor shortages. Successful facility managers and owners are actively investing in equipment that increases cleaning effectiveness and productivity, including technology that provides data capabilities like IoT, adopting green and sustainable cleaning products, and implementing workforce training to optimize efficiency and the life of the flooring.   

First impressions are everything. The floors in a facility are one of the most visible features. Today’s floor care isn't just about cleaning; it is about smart, sustainable asset management that keeps the facility looking and operating at its best year-round. 

Dale Franke is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Acme Paper and Supply Company, one of the nation's largest suppliers of sanitation solutions, disposable food service packaging, restaurant equipment and supply, retail and industrial packaging, and custom-designed packaging. Franke has nearly 30 years of experience in the facility supply industry and more than 10 years of experience in sales leadership. He can be reached directly at dfranke@acmepaper.com. For more information visit https://store.acmepaper.com/.


posted on 5/7/2025