Hygiene on the (work)floor

A clean and hygienic workplace leads to less sick-leave and an improved work atmosphere. Several studies show a dirty workplace does not exactly promote the job satisfaction, well-being and productivity. Frequent and regular cleaning improve the hygiene in the workplace a lot already. But also, the materials being used in the interior play an important role. How about floors? To what degree do they contribute to a clean and healthy work environment?

BREEDING GROUND FOR BACTERIA

The workplace turns out to be a true breeding ground for bacteria. You encounter them primarily on keyboards, phones, taps, the buttons on the coffee machine, doorknobs and light switches. Cleaning these surfaces on a regular base and washing your hands frequently are most important for good hygiene at work. Another typical place where bacteria spread rapidly if not properly maintained: the shared fridge. Therefore, don’t forget to keep the common areas like the canteen and sanitary facilities tidy and clean.

A HEALTHY INDOOR CLIMATE

A well-maintained workplace ensures better air quality, which contributes to a healthy indoor climate with a positive effect on the well-being of employees. In a dirty environment, dust, pollen and other allergens can accumulate, what can cause breathing problems, aggravation of allergies and other discomfort. Regular cleaning and keeping the workplace free from dust and allergens, improves the air quality and offers employees a healthy work environment where it is pleasant to work. But don't forget about fresh air and a good ventilation! By refreshing the air regularly, you avoid complaints like headaches, tiredness and lowered concentration.

HYGIENE AT YOUR FEET

Did you know floors have an important contribution to a fresh and clean work environment? Fortunately, nowadays there is a wide choice of hygienic flooring being easy to clean and maintain. Thanks to stain resistant, water repelling materials and bacteria and mold repelling qualities, dirt and micro-organism have no chance to spread further. Furthermore, nowadays more and more floors are available contributing to a healthy indoor climate, by not containing or emitting harmful substances. This way a hygienic and healthy workplace is literally at your feet.

NATURALLY BUILT-IN HYGIENE

One of the cleanest and easiest floors in maintenance is ntgrate® woven vinyl. Thanks to the unique design of this floor covering, smart dirt particles and micro-organism like mold and bacteria cannot get to the pores of the material and spread further. An ideal, natural barrier, making it not only anti-bacterial but also sustainable. Cleaning is a piece of cake. The stain resistant vinyl threads do not absorb dirt, making stains easy to remove. This can smoothly be done with a moist towel, because due its unique composition, ntgrate does not absorb water. Furthermore, ntgrate floors do not contain phthalates or other harmful substances and the emission of VOC (volatile organic compounds) is far below the European norm.

MAINTANANCE-FRIENDLY BIO-BASED FLOOR

A true all-rounder when it comes to hygienic flooring and well-being, are the PURLINE organic floors of wineo. These bio-floors consist for over 80% of a bio-based core composed of the high-quality composite material ecuran. A sustainable component primarily made of plant-based oils like rapeseed or castor oil and naturally occurring mineral components like chalk. With their closed surface structure and wear-resistant top element, PURLINE floors are easy and economical to maintain. Due to the easy cleaning with conventional cleaning supplies, you save up to 30% on cleaning costs and the life cycle costs of PURLINE floors are substantially lower than of other popular flooring solutions. In addition, these odorless floors do not emit harmful substances, and they are free from chlorine, solvents and plasticizers.

VERSATILE LVT

Say goodbye to bacteria, mold, dust and dirt with LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) floors. Also knows as PVC or vinyl. Thanks to their impenetrable dirt repelling and water-resistant surface LVT floors are much less susceptible for mold and other undesirable bacterial growth. And dust and dirt particles can easily be removed. For extra hygiene our Amtico LVT-floors are easy to clean with anti-bacterial cleaning supplies or bleach, as long as these are properly diluted. Furthermore, these floors are also provided with a unique Quantum Guard Elite-urethane coating offering antimicrobial protection. It’s for a reason they are favorite in commercial environment like healthcare, offices and education. Not least because of the versatile design possibilities, but also because of their environmentally friendly properties. For example, Amtico floor exclusively contain phthalate-free and biological plasticizers, and they carry and Indoor Air Comfort Gold-certificate.

DIRT AND STAIN REPELLENT CARPET

Rather a carpet? That's possible! Nowadays many carpets are dirt and stain repelling, giving stains no opportunity to nest deep into the carpet. However, with carpet it’s extra important to react right away to stains; the earlier you can treat them, the better. Furthermore, carpet is also known for its unique qualities in the field of dust suppression, if properly maintained. This keeps dust particles bound to the carpet until the next time it is vacuumed, instead of them floating on the floor surface and in the air. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE

To keep the workplace clean, healthy and appealing, it is important to make proper agreements regarding regular, daily cleaning. But did you know periodic maintenance is just as important? Periodic maintenance does not only have a positive effect on the hygiene but also extends the life span and reduces costs and is beneficial for the health of users and the environment. Therefore, LEOXX has developed XXtra Care for the maintenance of its flooring: a periodic maintenance concept adequate for the floor and its function. This concept is being executed in collaboration with maintenance partner Duofort, expert in periodic environmentally friendly maintenance and basic treatment of floors. 

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLOORING AND HYGIENE?

Do you want to know more about floors and hygiene, our periodical maintenance concept XXtra Care or are you curious which hygienic floor solution suits your project best? Your LEOXX account manager can tell you all about them. You can ask your question also at info@leoxx.nl Or call us at +31(0)30 635 1000.