Application of a proposed standard for testing soiling and cleanability of resilient floor coverings

A new proposed standard, prEN 14565, describes a procedure for testing soiling and cleanability of resilient floor coverings based upon synthetic thermoplastic polymers. In this study the procedure was applied for testing the soiling and cleanability of four commercial floor coverings (polyurethane-coated quartz vinyl and thermoplastic polyolefin tiles, vinyl flooring and linoleum) and for testing the cleaning efficiencies of two mop materials (micro fibre mop and yarn mop) with water and two commercial cleaning agents. A case study of the ability of one commercial maintenance agent to prevent soiling of an abraded linoleum floor covering was also carried out. Floor coverings were soiled in a soiling drum and cleaned with an Erichsen washability and scrub tester. The cleaning efficiency was measured with a colorimeter. Contact angle of water and surface energy determinations were compared in order to characterise the floor coverings. Polyurethane-coated polyolefin had the lowest soil residue after cleaning. The micro fibre mop was more effective than the yarn mop. In the case of linoleum floors, the effect of the maintenance agent on soil residue was negligible while positive effects on vacuuming were observed. According to the results, the soiling and cleaning method of this study can be used for comparing the soiling and cleanability of different floor coverings. By using this method, measurements are performed in a reproducible way and the cleaning properties of the materials can be compared with each other.