PDIR+ Cleaning Process

A better way to clean. An effective cleaning program begins with an understanding of how soils are brought into the facility and their effect on the surfaces and inhabitants. A regular cleaning schedule with suitable equipment and detergents is what's required to get the job done efficiently. The PDIR+ cleaning process is the best way to start.

Hotel cleaning with the PDIR+™ cleaning process

What is the PDIR+ cleaning process?

PDIR+ is a process we developed to help you rethink your cleaning program as a guideline to save money and be more environmentally friendly at the same time. PDIR+ is an acronym that represents the four different cleaning functions:

Preventative cleaning in the outside area

Preventative

Preventative cleaning: Removing dirt in the outside area before it’s brought inside the building

Daily maintenance cleaning

Daily

Daily maintenance cleaning: Routine cleaning to maintain the level of cleanliness

Intermediate cleaning

Interim

Intermediate cleaning: Cleaning that helps keep time-consuming deep cleaning to a minimum

Deep cleaning of floor coverings

Restorative

Deep cleaning: Thorough, time-consuming cleaning of floor coverings

Preventative Cleaning: Keeping outside areas spotless

The concept of preventative cleaning tackles dirt head-on in outside areas. Giving the outdoor area a thorough clean can help reduce the amount of dirt brought into a building by as much as 66%. Preventative maintenance is very green and requires little to no cleaning detergent.

Outside area: Sweeping and pressure washing

The size of the outside area to be cleaned will determine the type of sweeper to be used. For small to medium-sized areas, the best option is a manual walk-behind floor sweeper. For bigger areas, ride-on floor sweepers with a larger container volume are recommended.

Stubborn stains and soils like moss, lichen, chewing gum and bird droppings can be removed using a pressure washer.  

Entrance area: Entrance mats and spot cleaning

An effective system for catching dirt also falls within the scope of preventative cleaning. Large mats should be placed on the inside and outside of entrance areas spanning the length of at least four strides. This serves to remove dirt from shoes and bind it together so that it cannot be spread around. The surface structure of the mat bristles should be more abrasive on the outside, while inside mats can have a softer texture.

If any dirt does make its way into the building despite these measures, it can be removed in no time through a spot cleaning process. An electric-powered compact sweeper is perfect for this.

Preventative cleaning

 

The size of the outside area to be cleaned will determine the type of sweeper to be used. For small to medium-sized areas, the best option is a compact floor sweeper or a walk-behind floor sweeper with traction drive (gas, diesel or battery-powered). For bigger areas spanning 1,000 m² and more, ride-on floor sweepers with a large container volume and hydraulic high container emptying are recommended.

Stubborn stains and soiling, caused by moss, lichen, remnants of tar or chewing gum, bird droppings and leftover food, can be removed using a cold water pressure washer.

Outside area cleaning with a floor sweeper

 

An effective system for catching dirt also falls within the scope of preventative cleaning. Large mats should be placed on the inside and outside of the entrance area (spanning the length of at least four strides) to remove dirt from shoes and bind it together so that it cannot be spread around. The surface structure of the mat bristles should be more abrasive on the outside, whilst inside mats can have a softer texture.

If any dirt does make its way into the building despite these measures having been taken, it can be removed in no time through a spot cleaning process. Compact floor sweepers or manual cleaning equipment are perfect for this.

Cleaning in the entrance area

Daily Maintenance Cleaning: For hygiene and a squeaky clean image

Daily maintenance cleaning is part of any business's routine, helping to achieve the desired level of cleanliness and thereby ensuring visitors, guests and employees feel happy and at ease. It is also a necessity that avoids permanent damage being caused by dirt being left to stick onto surfaces, meaning it lengthens their service life quite considerably.

Maintenance of soft floors with a brush-type vacuum cleaner

Maintenance cleaning of soft floor coverings

Upright vacuum cleaners have proven to be especially effective at cleaning carpets on a daily basis. The carpet brush in the suction head is powered by a separate motor. It reaches right down into the base of the pile, driving the loosened dirt toward the suction channel and straightening the pile out at the same time. This avoids any damage being caused to the floor covering. Use CRI-approved detergents for carpet spotting.

Cleaning tiles with a compact floor scrubber

Maintenance cleaning of hard and resilient floor coverings

When it comes to cleaning hard floor coverings such as linoleum or tile, walk-behind compact floor scrubbers are a popular choice. One benefit is that using a machine guarantees a deeper clean than doing everything by hand. In addition, a scrubber immediately sucks up loosened dirt, making the process a great deal more hygienic. Use Green Seal approved neutral floor cleaners for scrubbing.

Intermediate cleaning on a textile floor

Intermediate Cleaning: Using the right methods to do away with downtimes

Intermediate cleaning is required every now and then - even when maintenance cleaning takes place on a daily basis. It helps to cut back on the amount of deep cleaning required, which is both time-consuming and costly, and also to maintain a high standard of cleanliness.

A cleaning method needs to be selected that does not involve the floor covering getting excessively soaked, ensuring that people can walk on it again soon after cleaning. If intermediate cleaning is taken care of every so often, the amount of time and effort spent cleaning on a daily basis will drop massively.

 

Hard floor coverings can be kept clean in no time through intermediate cleaning. Burnishers are the first step in interim maintenance to quickly restore the gloss to a hard surface floor followed by a top-scrub and recoat with orbital or cylindrical walk-behind compact floor scrubbers to brighten your floors with less time, labor and detergent.

Walk-behind compact floor scrubber

Encapsulation cleaning with the iCapsol is perfect for the intermediate cleaning of carpet. Machines with roller technology are used with the addition of a special iCapsol cleaning agent to encapsulate the dirt on the fibers. For this to work, a thin layer of detergent must be sprayed on the floor before the area is treated. The floor covering only gets slightly damp in the process, meaning that it is soon ready to walk on again.

Textile floor cleaning with iCapsol

Restorative Cleaning: Deep cleaning to the original condition

Despite all other cleaning and maintenance efforts, it is not possible to avoid deep cleaning floor coverings. The aim is to restore the flooring to its original condition and degree of slip resistance (as much as possible). Of all four cleaning methods, deep cleaning takes up the most time, materials and staff resources. It can, however, be delayed for quite some time if the daily cleaning routine is carried out regularly and properly.

Restorative cleaning of a carpet

Carpet and upholstery: Spray extraction

A spray extraction machine is used for fiber-deep cleaning of textile floor coverings. In order to restore the design and color to their original condition, the selected detergent is worked into the floor covering using a floor nozzle and applying spray pressure. The loosened dirt is sucked back up again as part of the same process. The next step is to rinse the floor covering with clean water and then use an upright brush-type vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean once it has fully dried (at least eight hours). It is important that nobody walks on the floor while it dries. If a hand nozzle is used, the spray extraction method is suitable for cleaning upholstery and mattresses too. As a general rule, it makes sense to apply a fiber-protecting agent to textile floor coverings and surfaces.

Restorative cleaning of hard coverings with floor scrubbers

Hard and resilient floor coverings: Floor scrubbing

Floor scrubbers need to be used for deep cleaning when hard floor coverings have become dull due to the build-up of dirt and detergent residues. This process differs from intermediate cleaning in that a two-step method is used: First of all, the detergents are applied using the machine (generally deep cleaner in a higher dose) and scrubbed evenly from side to side, in the necessary contact time. Once the dirt has come loose, it is sucked up by the fleet. The floor covering is then rinsed using a one-step method. Hard floor coverings, including those made of linoleum and PVC, are protected with another coating once they have dried off sufficiently. Natural stone floor coverings and tiles do not generally need a protective coating.

The PLUS side of PDIR+

When looking for solutions to cleaning challenges, be sure to look for a "total solution". Consider the "+" in these three aspects.

Kärcher Connected Cleaning

Connected Cleaning

Provides real-time analysis to the cleaning process in order for you to increase efficiency. 

Kärcher Accessories

Accessories

Having the right accessory for the job will help you get the job done faster.

Kärcher Cleaning Detergents

Detergents

Using effective detergents to remove the soil is critical in the cleaning process.

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