How to Clean Commercial Restaurant Floor?

Food spills, grease, and oil are commonly found on a restaurant floor. If not cleaned on time, they can accumulate and make the floor even more dirty. All of it can collect into stubborn gunk and stains that are difficult to remove.

And let's not forget the hazards that come with a dirty restaurant floor. So, in today's post, we will discuss how to clean restaurant floors properly. We will talk about floor preparation, required materials, the step-by-step procedure, and more. Let's dive in!

Why Focus on the Commercial Restaurant Floor?

An average restaurant serves up to 100 customers per day. It is bound to get dirty everywhere, so you must be wondering why there is an emphasis on restaurant floor cleaning. Well, there are several reasons – including:

Maintaining Hygiene Standards

A dirty floor can create unsanitary conditions in the restaurant. There are already 764 different types of bacteria present per inch of a "clean" restaurant floor. So, imagine the amount of germs on an unclean floor.

If a person picks up something from a dirty restaurant floor, the germs can transfer to their hands and face. This can further transfer to other people and lead to the spread of deadly diseases.

This is exactly why the Australian Hygiene Standards also make it mandatory for commercial restaurants to:

• Install floors that don't absorb wet substances
• Maintain clean and sanitary floors at all times

Having an anti-bacterial flooring is recommended too. Restaurants can use it to limit the amount of bacteria and ensure a hygienic eating environment for their customers.

Employee Safety

Wet, dirty surfaces are one of the top hazards in a commercial kitchen. Employees can slip and hurt themselves fatally. Common injury examples include broken bones, head trauma, and back injuries.

According to Industrial Safety & Occupational Health Markets 5th edition, 85% of worker's compensation claims are made because of these falls. Also, 22% of employee falls result in more than 30 days of being away from work. All of this is a huge financial loss for businesses.

Restaurant's Image & Customer Experience

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and wrinkled your nose because of the smell? Well, that's exactly what happens when a commercial restaurant floor is not cleaned properly.

The food bits and dirt gather in the corner. When left for hours or days, it can rot and create a foul smell. Nobody wants to dine in at such a dirty restaurant. It automatically builds an impression of how unhygienically you might be preparing the food.

Your restaurant can lose a lot of customers as well as future business.

How to Prepare Restaurant Floors for Cleaning?

If you have ever cleaned a commercial floor before, you would know it's not possible to just grab a broom and start cleaning right away. You must first prepare the floors.

• Wait for closing or a slow hour to avoid safety hazards.

  Proper cleaning requires a step-by-step procedure. It takes time to ensure the floor is thoroughly cleaned and ready to use for the next shift. So, it's best to wait until the store is closed or there is a slow hour.

  Until then, you can grab an upright broom and dustpan set and spot-clean the floor. This will ensure the workflow isn't disrupted and nobody slips or injures themselves.

• Remove obstacles from the floor.

  Before you begin cleaning, you would want to remove all obstacles from the floor and ensure the area is clear enough to clean. For example, if boxes are sitting beside the drink station, move them to the back of the kitchen so that you can clean the area properly.

  We recommend doing this area by area. First, begin with one area and remove the items on the floor. Clean and then place the things back before moving to the next area.

• Arrange the required materials.

  Another important thing is to make sure you have all the required cleaning materials and supplies available. If you stop in the middle of cleaning to get supplies, you risk slipping and falling, and the process will be slower.

• Make sure all the individuals assigned to the task are present.

  Cleaning the restaurant's floor is not one man's job. You need at least 3 people to ensure every corner is clean and neat. So, before you start, make sure every member is present and knows their cleaning responsibilities.

What Do You Need? – Required Cleaning Tools for Restaurant Floor

The exact list of restaurant floor cleaning equipment will depend on how intensively you want to clean and what's available in your area. Here's a beginner's list to get you started:

For Everyday Cleaning

• Commercial broom and dustpan combo
• Commercial mop
• Bucket

For Deep Clean

• Caution Wet Floor signs
• Floor squeegee
• Push broom brush
• HVAC Machine

Besides these items, you will need a set of professional-grade gloves to protect your hands from any injury or chemicals. You may also wear a mask or hair net.

How to Clean Restaurant Floors? A Step-by-Step Guide

Cleaning a restaurant floor is an easy and simple task if you follow the method correctly. People who don't follow the steps often find themselves stuck in a huge wet mess. So, to help you avoid that, here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean a greasy restaurant floor:

Step 1: Sweep the Floor

Begin by using a broom and dustpan set to sweep the floor. Make sure to pick up all the large pieces of trash and dirt. If you don't sweep well, the dirt can become mud when mopping the floor later.

Step 2: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

Once the floor is trash-free, it's time to prepare the cleaning solution for our mop. The type of commercial kitchen floor cleaner you choose will depend on the floor material and the level of grease or grime. Here are some common options:

• Degreaser: For greasy restaurant floors, a heavy-duty degreaser is often the best choice. These cleaners are specifically formulated to break down tough grease and oil. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dilution rates to ensure effective cleaning without damaging the floor.

• All-Purpose Cleaner: If your floor isn't heavily soiled, an all-purpose cleaner can be effective. It works well for everyday dirt and grime and is safe for most floor types. Make sure to choose a product that is suitable for commercial use and safe for food environments.

• Vinegar and Water: For a natural alternative, you can mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. This solution is effective for removing odors and light grease. However, avoid using it on natural stone floors, as the acidity can damage the surface.

• Floor-Specific Cleaner: Some flooring materials, like tile or hardwood, may require specialized cleaners. Check with the manufacturer or your supplier for recommendations to ensure you're using a product that's safe and effective for your specific floor type.

Once you've selected your cleaner, mix it according to the instructions on the label in a clean bucket. Make sure to wear gloves and follow any safety precautions, especially when using commercial-grade chemicals.

Step 3: Mop the Floor

Now, dip your mop in the bucket of cleaning solution and squeeze out the excess solution. The mop should be wet but not dripping with the solution. Use it to clean the restaurant floor and exert more force on areas with stubborn stains.

Most people use a back-and-forth motion, but you can also try a figure-eight motion to effectively cover the surface. Make sure to rinse the mop frequently in the cleaning solution to avoid spreading dirt around.

Use a mop with wringer allows you to skip the squeezing part. It has a built-in wringer that removes the excess cleaning solution and makes the whole process a lot easier.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

While the mopped restaurant floor dries, empty the bucket into the washing area and rinse it thoroughly. Rinse the mop too and leave everything to dry in the back. If possible, increase ventilation in the area by opening windows or using fans to speed up the drying process.

Step 5: Buffing or Polishing (Optional)

For a finishing touch, consider buffing or polishing the floor. This step can enhance the shine and provide an extra layer of protection against stains.

Use a buffing machine with a suitable pad for your floor type, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for optimal results. If buffing is not an option, you can apply a commercial floor polish using a clean mop. Allow the polish to dry completely before allowing foot traffic.

How to Deep Clean a Extremely Greasy Restaurant Floor?

Restaurant floors that are extremely greasy and oily require deep cleaning. To do so, you should follow the steps discussed above. However, replace Step 3 with the use of an HVAC machine.

The HVAC machine is a professional-grade cleaning equipment that allows you to spread the cleaning solution on the restaurant floor, scrub all the corners, and then collect the dirty water in a canister.

This leaves the floor thoroughly clean and dry. But if you don't have an HVAC machine, you can use a floor scrubber like push broom to remove the grease buildup. Then, use a floor squeegee to move the dirty water into the floor drains.

Make sure to rinse the floor with some fresh water to ensure there is no cleaning solution left behind. Use the squeegee or mop to dry the floor completely. Open windows or fans to increase ventilation.

How to Clean Different Types of Restaurant Floors?

Now that we know how to clean and deep clean a restaurant floor. Let's talk about the different types of restaurant floorings and what special measures you should take to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned without being damaged.

Tiles

Most restaurants have tiled flooring because it's the easiest to clean and maintain. However, there is one important thing to remember – once you have swept the floor clean, use a pH-neutral floor cleaner mixed with warm water and apply it with a mop.

Do not use acidic cleaners as they can damage the tile surface. For grout lines, a Tub Tile Cleaning Brush can be used with a cleaner specifically designed for grout.

Concrete

Concrete doesn't have any specific requirements because it's the most durable floor type. You can use a stiff-bristled broom or power washer to clean it regularly. You can also use any type of cleaning without worries.

Just make sure to clean it frequently as concrete flooring is usually found in outdoor settings. So, if your restaurant has an outdoor seating arrangement, the concrete flooring will get dirty way faster than other floorings.

Hardwood

Hardwood is a delicate flooring that requires great care and attention. Sweep or vacuum with a soft brush attachment to avoid scratching the surface. For mopping, consider a mop specially designed for the floor type like the microfiber spray mop, and use a hardwood floor cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. Don't soak the floor excessively as too much water can cause warping.

Carpet

While you can always sweep a carpet, it's best to use a vacuum to make things faster. It will pick up loose dust and debris easily without damaging the threads. If the carpet has stains, use a restaurant-grade carpet cleaner to blot them. Work from outside in to avoid spreading them.

How to Clean Restaurant Floor Drains?

When discussing how to clean oily floor in a restaurant, one can never forget about those hidden drains. These outlets are designed to direct water and spills from the restaurant floor to the drainage pipes.

This helps in keeping the floor dry and prevent slips. But they also require regular maintenance to stay functional. To clean them, you will require:

• Gloves
• A scrub brush
• A drain cleaner

Start by removing any visible dirt or food from the drain. Pour a cleaning solution, like vinegar mixed with hot water, down the drain and let it sit for a few minutes to break down the grease. Use a drain snake or auger to remove any stubborn clogs.

Next, scrub the drain cover and the area around it with a brush and rinse everything with hot water. It's a good idea to clean the drains weekly or every two weeks to keep them working well and prevent bad smells.

Tips for Keeping the Restaurant Floor Clean

While knowing how to clean the restaurant floor is important, it is not everything. You must adopt certain practices to ensure the floor stays clean, hygienic, and safe at all times.

First, set a regular cleaning schedule to clean the floors once or twice a day. Assign someone's duty to monitor the floor's condition and sweep whenever necessary. Before the next shift begins, make sure the floor is thoroughly swept and mopped.

Also, place mats in high-traffic areas – especially in the kitchen. These mats reduce wear on the floor and trap dirt, which makes cleaning easier.

We also recommend using a color-coded system for cleaning supplies to avoid cross-contamination between the kitchen and dining areas. This ensures hygiene and safety for food preparation and customer service.

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