Cleaning Life Floor

3-STEP PROCESS

1. Apply

Apply the cleaner with a spray-foamer and allow it to dwell on the tiles for at least 5 minutes.

Mist with water or additional cleaner if the cleaning solution begins to dry before scrubbing.

When using an auto-scrubber, make the first pass with the vacuum turned off. 

2. Scrub

After the cleaner has had time to break down and loosen any dirt and oils, then scrub using the proper brushes.

Mops do not provide adequate scrubbing or recovery. 

Do not scrub on a dry floor or use metal/stiff brushes since they will damage the floor.

3. Rinse + Recover

Rinse + recovery is the most important step.

Ensure the cleaner is thoroughly rinsed and removed from the tiles. 

This step is complete when fresh water is sprayed on the tiles and no foam appears. If foam continues to appear, repeat the rinse and recovery process. Cleaners left on the tile will affect the tile's performance. 


RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

Large Areas

Auto-Scrubber

For large indoor areas, the auto-scrubber is usually the best equipment of choice. Use the proper brushes/pads outlined in our maintenance guides and do not rotate in a single area for a prolonged time to avoid damaging the floor.

Medium Areas

Floor Scrubber

Floor Scrubbers are a good choice for maintaining your Life Floor surface. Plan for rinse and recovery with either a vacuum system or thorough rinse and squeegee. Use a turf pad with adequate downward pressure when operating the machine.

Small Areas

Deck Brush

Deck brushes with a medium-softness bristle are best used in small or hard-to-reach areas such as stairs, towers, or bathrooms. Plan for rinse and recovery with either a vacuum system or thorough rinse and squeegee.

Applying Cleaner

Spray Foamer or Mop/Bucket

If a hose is available, a spray-foamer is the best for dispensing the cleaner evenly. A mop and bucket can also work to apply the cleaner, but it will not work for scrubbing. Don’t spray the MDR and read manufacturer safety information before use.

Information on the use of auto-scrubbers and floor scrubbers is available on our Technical Documents page.

We do not recommend the use of a pressure washer since it will damage the tiles if done incorrectly and directly impair the safety features of our products. This is not covered under our warranty.

If you have any questions about what equipment may be best for your venue, please reach out to us.


Life Floor RECOMMENDED Cleaners

These cleaners are readily found in both commercial and consumer brands around the world. If you do not have a current source of products, we recommend Hillyard Cleaning Products in the United States.

Peroxide Cleaner

Alkaline grime can usually be cleaned with an acidic Peroxide Cleaner. Grime may include things such as:

  • Mud

  • Hard water deposits

  • Rust

  • Soap/shampoo/conditioner build up

Sodium-Based Degreaser Cleaner

Acidic grime can usually be cleaned with an alkaline Degreaser. Grime may include things such as:

  • Oil

  • Grease

  • Sunscreen

  • Food residue

Mineral Deposit Remover (MDR)

Built-up mineral deposits can be cleaned with a Mineral Deposit Remover. Deposits may include things such as:

  • Lime

  • Rust

  • Calcium

  • Magnesium

Mineral Deposit Remover (MDR)

Please refer to all safety information provided when using this cleaner. The Mineral Deposit Remover is a spot cleaner used only when mineral deposits cannot be cleaned with the Peroxide Cleaner.

The Mineral Deposit Remover is formulated to remove the white residue that can form around puddles and in crevices. Unlike the other cleaners, which are used on a regular schedule and spread over a wide application area, the MDR is a spot cleaner used infrequently and in small areas.

When using the MDR, prepare a diluted solution of equal parts cleaner and water in a squeeze bottle or pourable cup. Do not use any type of mister, sprayer, or other tool that will aerosolize it. Apply the MDR on the affected area and let it dwell for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, begin scrubbing with a medium-softness bristle deck brush to help separate the deposits from the tiles. Do not allow the MDR to dry on the floor. Rinse the area thoroughly and begin recovery. Recovery is complete when the tiles stop foaming.

If the area does not appear clean, try a higher ratio of cleaner to water or try using the cleaner undiluted with the same process outlined above.

We recommend following up any Mineral Deposit Remover treatment immediately with a normal Degreaser to remove any lingering films or residue.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • The frequency and chemicals used will likely need to be adjusted based on the unique characteristics of a venue, but we typically recommend a weekly cleaning schedule that alternates between our cleaner types.

    High traffic areas or places where water gathers from improper drainage will need more regular cleaning.

    Outdoor

    Outdoor amenities have additional considerations with environmental challenges such as plant matter, animal traffic, sunscreen, and dirt. Unfenced areas may also experience higher shoe use, bike traffic, and seasonal changes such as snow and ice.

    When possible, we recommend a weekly cleaning schedule during the active season that alternates between our recommended Peroxide Cleaner and Degreaser.

    When outdoor amenities close for the season, winterizing Life Floor is easy. Some customers choose to place a tarp or other covering on top of their Life Floor installations. Covering tiles while not in use for more than a couple of weeks can help extend the surface’s life by protecting it from environmental hazards such as shoe traffic, bikes, debris, and prolonged sun exposure when dry. Our tiles are freeze/thaw stable and will expand and contract through seasonal temperature changes?

    When preparing to reopen an outdoor amenity, a more thorough clean is likely needed to remove mud and grime that naturally occurs during Spring.

    Indoor

    Indoor amenities are often more controlled with easier access to cleaning supplies, but they may experience higher occurrences of mineral deposits.

    We recommend a weekly cleaning schedule that alternates between our recommended Peroxide Cleaner and Degreaser. If white residue appears on joints or in corners, use the Mineral Deposit Remover to spot clean these areas. Instructions for MDR use can be found on the cleaning page on our website.

  • Life Floor is engineered to allow for the flow of water through joints between tiles as well as on the surface. Life Floor tiles do not support microbial growth and our tiles are 99.7% impervious to any liquid absorption.

    Regular Cleaning

    The joints between tiles are cleaned the same as the tile surfaces in a normal cleaning routine. We recommend using an auto-scrubber with a wet vacuum which pulls water from the surface efficiently while following the 3 step cleaning process:

    1. Apply

    2. Scrub

    3. Rinse + Recover

    Rinse and Recovery is complete when no more foam appears on the tiles when water is sprayed on the floor. Repeat Rinse and Recover until no foam appears. Leaving residual cleaners on the floor to dry will leave a residue that will be more difficult to clean later and will attract dirt more quickly. Residual cleaner will not foam after drying, so it is important to complete a full recovery each time the floor is cleaned.

    Using the recommended cleaners and consistently following the three cleaning steps outlined above ensures your surface maintains proper performance and looks beautiful for years to come.

    Solving Problem Areas

    Proper drainage flow at any aquatic amenity is critically important for the overall health of a facility. When water is drained correctly, there is a lower potential for water to sit for extended periods of time and stagnate.

    If drainage is not ideal and water accumulates in a specific area before naturally evaporating, then a facility may experience a higher rate of mineral deposits which is most common and often appears as a white film.

    To clean these problem areas, use the Mineral Deposit Remover and follow the instructions found on the cleaning page [link] on our website.

    Please note: Life Floor does not recommend pressure washing. Incorrect pressure washing will damage the tiles and void the 5-year material warranty.

  • White film is most commonly a mineral deposit. It may also appear as a crusty yellow coating depending on the type of mineral. If mineral deposits are identified and addressed early, they are easily removed with the Mineral Deposit Remover.

    If you are unsure whether a tile is collecting mineral deposits, the most efficient way to test it is to apply the Mineral Deposit Remover on a small area, let it soak for 2 minutes, then scrub the area. If the MDR foams, then it is a mineral deposit build up and can be cleaned following the instructions found on the cleaning page on our website.

  • Life Floor is chemical resistant, but harsh chemicals may dissolve the adhesive beneath the tiles. Avoid chemicals such as paint thinner, trichloroethylene, and muriatic acid. All solvents, including mineral spirits and gasoline, will dissolve our adhesive and should be avoided.

    If solvents do need to be used, we recommend adding them to a cloth first instead of pouring directly on the surface. This avoids getting solvents in joints between tiles. If solvents do soak into the joints, immediately clean the area with the Degreaser and use vacuum recovery.

    Please note, the use of solvents will void our Certified Installation warranty.

  • First, apply ice to harden the gum. Once the gum is hard, carefully lift it away with a putty knife or blunt scraper. Use caution, as Life Floor can be damaged by aggressive scraping. Any remaining gum residue can be removed by applying WD-40 with a rag. Rinse thoroughly after use.

  • Sunscreen, especially when aerosolized, is designed to adhere to whatever surface it touches once it leaves its container, so it can certainly be challenging to clean. We recommend using our Degreaser Cleaner once every other week to start, but a deep clean every week may be needed during high-traffic seasons especially in areas where sunscreen is most often applied.

    Our Degreaser is the best choice to remove sunscreen build-up and follow the 3-step cleaning process outlined on our website.

    If cleaning does not appear to work, please contact us and we’ll work with you to explore potential solutions.

  • To choose the right cleaner, follow these guidelines:

    Alkaline Degreaser: Best for acidic grime such as oil, grease, sunscreen, and food residue.

    Peroxide Cleaner: Best for alkaline grime such as mud, hard water deposits, soap, shampoo, and conditioner residue.

    Mineral Deposit Remover: Best for deposits such as lime, rust, calcium, and magnesium.

    Refer to our Owner’s Manual for specific ratios and instructions. If in doubt, test a small area with all three cleaners. Allow the cleaners to dwell for 5 minutes and scrub with a medium-soft polyethylene brush to produce foam. Then, wipe the area with a clean towel to determine if the cleaner is breaking the bond between the contaminant and the surface. If the surface starts tracking after cleaning, repeat the scrubbing and recovery steps.

    Every cleaning process should be completed with thorough rinse and recovery.

If you have any additional questions about cleaning Life Floor, please contact us.