Defining Cleaning Times

This article was originally published in Clean Link.

Most of us will admit that cleaning times standards are part science and part magic or art due to the many variables that cannot all be captured in a simple statement of “10 minutes per 1,000 Square Feet.” Time standards are based on as much science as possible in that a person using a stop watch times a worker performing a task utilizing prescribed equipment and chemicals on an “average” type surface.

For example, stripping a floor takes into account several time standards that when added up can be daunting at best. Does one include dust mopping, floor prep, gum removal, blocking doors, moving/replacing furniture, drying time, travel time from closet to area and myriad other tasks that may or may not be appropriate? What type machine (swing or autoscrubber) is used? How does one pick up the slurry (mop or wet vac)? What type/strength stripper is used (or even allowed due to environmental concerns)? Is the floor relatively new and well maintained? What type and how many coats of finish/seal are on the floor to be stripped? What is the humidity and temperature in the area? Is there adequate ventilation? Are you using a rotary or orbital unit to strip? What type pads are being used? How experienced are the workers in this type floor? What are the expectations of the customer as to outcomes? How much time is allowed due to traffic and safety to perform the tasks? 

Although we do not want to make stripping a floor look overly complicated, there are several questions to answer before proceeding. Please understand that there is no such thing as an “average” type floor since that is only one of the many variables that can affect the outcome.