People may wonder why a restaurant owner would install carpet in their dining room with the risk of dropped food and beverages. Restaurant carpets are at risk of mildew and odors, but they also come with a lot of benefits. Customers and the wait staff have better traction, the material absorbs some noise, and carpeting is a durable product that lasts longer than other flooring types.
The worries of odor and other concerns are eliminated when the business has a good cleaning schedule that includes professional deep cleaning on a regular basis. Here is how any restaurant owner can ensure their dining room carpet remains a benefit and not a concern.
Install Sensible Material
Choose a material with a short pile that has been treated with a stain preventative. The carpet should also contain a UV protectant if it is exposed to a lot of sunlight. Nylon is a good option because it’s easy to clean. Also, keep in mind that a dense material with a lot of fibers will hold up better to foot traffic, and a patterned fabric makes stains harder to see.
Protect Where Possible
Install rubber-backed mats around entry doors, food prep stations, and wherever else there’s a high risk of spills or excess foot traffic. Mats by exterior doors are especially important because food debris isn’t the only thing that harms restaurant carpeting. Soil tracked onto the floor is also damaging because the sharp-edged stones can grind down the carpet fibers and cause premature wear.
Manage Spills Quickly
Clean up spills quickly to reduce the risk of stains and to prevent smells. Remove any solid material and absorb the moisture by blotting the carpet. Do not scrub the soiled area or it could force the spill deeper into the pile of the rug.
Apply an enzyme-based cleaning product on stubborn stains to help break down the organic material for easier removal. You can do this at night so that the cleaner has time to soak in and break down the food overnight.
Then rinse the treated area with water and a soft cloth in the morning before the dining room opens for service. Steam clean all areas where spills occur as soon as possible to eliminate the risk of leaving any food particles behind.
Keep Crumbs Away
Small food crumbs become big problems even if they are not visible to the naked eye. Food particles can rot or mildew, attract pests, and cause carpet wear and odors. Remove the crumbs daily, as well as any dirt or sand tracked inside by vacuuming the entire carpet at the end of every day.
Hire Professional Cleaners
Grease in the air from the kitchen settles into all fabric in a restaurant. When the grease starts to build up on carpet and upholstery, it can leave a sticky residue. Airborne dust, pollen, and other debris will cling to this residue. The results are odor and stains that are hard to remove with basic cleaning tools or products. A deep-cleaning service is needed to remove this set-in type of mess.
Professional cleaning services use more powerful cleaning products and equipment to remove the mess. Their processes remove soil and other trapped materials in the fabric. Professional equipment also removes excess moisture as it cleans, so the carpet dries faster to prevent downtime and to reduce the risk of mildewy smells later.
Restaurants are not only judged by the quality of their food but also by the cleanliness of their establishment. At Northwest Commercial Carpet & Floor Cleaning, Inc., we can help to brighten and freshen any restaurant carpet or upholstery for a cleaner and more hygienic dining room and waiting area. Contact us for a cleaning estimate or to schedule a service.