Some of the more common flooring types fitted at NHS doctor surgeries are medical-grade vinyl and rubber compound. With excellent resistance to bacteria, harmful bugs, spills and stains, they are the go-to choice for the majority of healthcare authorities. However even medical-grade flooring isn’t indestructible or immune from wear and tear. And it doesn’t keep itself clean either!
Why its important to keep vinyl clean
Even the surface of medical-grade vinyl flooring can be susceptible to damage from heavy traffic. Damage that causes dents and scratches over time harbouring bacteria and other microorganisms. If the flooring isn’t cleaned properly and on a regular basis a buildup of these harmful bugs in amongst unsightly grime, scuffs and stains is inevitable. Sadly here at ProCleanse we have been brought in to address many instances of this over the years. NHS medical centre and doctors surgery floor cleaning should therefore be a priority for managers wanting to maintain good hygiene standards.
Common bacteria found on medical centre vinyl floors
A vinyl floor that isn’t completely clean will often contain one or all of the following bacteria;
All these nasty bacterium cause infections in humans, such as diarrhea, pneumonia and septic arthritis. You should also look out for tell tale evidence such pink stains on medical centre vinyl floors and plasticized materials. These will be more common on damp areas of the floor and are usually caused by Streptomyces bacteria, including Streptoverticillium reticulum.
When should doctors surgery floor cleaning be carried out?
Waiting rooms, examination room and toilet floors should be logged on a written schedule to ensure proper hygiene standards are adhered to. Here at ProCleanse we know from experience that an out-of-hours cleaning routine is best, because it gives us access to all areas without obstruction. Floor cleaning out-of-hours also allows sufficient drying time before foot traffic returns. A dry, clean floor attracts less dirt and is less likely to harbour harmful bacteria.
How often should medical-grade vinyl be cleaned?
Standard cleaning: To maintain a presentable and clean vinyl floor we recommend cleaning on a daily basis for medical centres. This will ensure the floor stays in good condition for longer. Daily cleaning and disinfection reduces the risk of pathogen transmission from your floors. Standard daily cleaning will also remove loose debris and reduce the chances of the build up of grime, dirt and stains.
Deep cleaning: Specialist vinyl floor deep cleaning should be carried out every 4 to 8 weeks. Deep cleaning addresses more significant medical flooring issues. These include embedded dirt, scuffs from shoes and pram wheels, stains and deep rooted bacteria. These are all in the firing line of the deep cleaning team.
Free quote?
Are you a practice manager in need of a new cleaning contractor? We can help with your floor cleaning and get your vinyl floors back to nearly-new condition! So call us today on 0151 659 1001 or complete the Get a Quote form on this page and we’ll get straight back to you!
Further reading
NHS National standards of healthcare cleanliness 2025
How to Clean Vinyl Floors Like a Pro?
Tiled Floor Deep Cleaning to NHS Standards
