Written by: Jim Flieler, Vice President, Brand Development & Training

Winter presents unique challenges for janitorial teams as ice melts and deicing products are widely used on walkways, parking lots, and entrances to prevent slips and falls. While these products are essential for safety, they can have detrimental effects on indoor flooring and outside surfaces if not managed properly. Understanding the impact of ice melts and using effective cleaning solutions, like Enviro-Solutions® ES83 Haze Away, can help maintain clean and safe floors throughout the season.

Understanding Ice Melting Products and Their Residual Impact

Ice melt products, including sodium chloride (rock salt), calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride, are commonly used to lower the freezing point of water, creating a brine that prevents ice formation on surfaces. While these products serve an essential function in winter safety, they leave behind a residual film on floors, carpeting, matting, and outside surfaces that can cause unsightly stains and lead to safety risks.

The residue often appears as a white, chalky substance, technically known as efflorescence, which occurs when salts dissolve in moisture, then recrystallize as the water evaporates. This can create a slick, hazardous layer on floors and carpets, particularly in high-traffic areas like entryways. Additionally, the salt residue attracts moisture, increasing slip risks and reducing matting effectiveness at entrances.

By implementing a proper floor care program that meets the specific needs of your facility, you can help reduce the cost of labor. Remember, 90% of every budget dollar is spent on labor, less than 10% is the cost of the supplies! 

Impact of Ice Melts on Floors, Matting, and Outdoor Surfaces

  1. Indoor Flooring: Salt residue not only mars the appearance of flooring but can also degrade the floor’s finish over time. Hard floors, such as tile and concrete, may develop patches of crusty white deposits, while wood and other sensitive flooring materials can suffer from moisture damage, causing warping or staining.
  2. Carpeting and Matting: Salt deposits on carpets can accumulate, especially in entryways, creating a gritty texture that wears down fibers and shortens the lifespan of the carpeting. Effective matting helps capture much of the tracked-in debris; however, the salt residues can reduce its efficacy by holding onto moisture, which can lead to mat saturation, staining, and odor issues.
  3. Outdoor Surfaces: Ice melts are essential for safety on outdoor surfaces but can lead to aesthetic damage, causing unsightly white stains on concrete, pavers, and other surfaces. These residues can be stubborn to remove without the right cleaning products.

Solution: Cleaning with Enviro-Solutions® ES83 Haze Away

Enviro-Solutions® ES83 Haze Away is a powerful, environmentally responsible solution specifically designed to tackle the white film and salt residues left behind by ice melts. Its unique formula demineralizes and neutralizes salt deposits on floors and carpets, ensuring a safe and clean environment throughout winter. Here’s how ES83 Haze Away can benefit janitorial teams:

  • Efficient Salt Residue Removal: ES83 Haze Away effectively dissolves and removes the salt film, eliminating the white haze from floors and carpets.
  • Slip Resistance: Approved by UL for slip resistance, it reduces slip hazards by neutralizing the slippery residue that attracts water, ensuring floors are safer for building occupants.
  • Versatile Application: This cleaner can be used with damp mops, auto scrubbers, and even pressure washers for outdoor surfaces, making it adaptable for various cleaning needs.
    • Auto Scrubbing for Larger Areas: In larger facilities, auto scrubbers can apply ES83 Haze Away over wide spaces with minimal effort, making it easier to keep up with winter’s demands.
    • Damp Mopping: For smaller or confined spaces, damp mopping with ES83 Haze Away is ideal. This method ensures targeted application, effectively demineralizing salt deposits and removing any residue.
  • Extended Floor Life: By preventing salt damage, ES83 Haze Away helps preserve the integrity and appearance of flooring and carpets, extending their lifespan.

Best Practices for Winter Floor Care

  1. Regular Cleaning Schedule: Increase cleaning frequency in high-traffic areas during winter, particularly entryways. This prevents salt build-up and ensures a consistently clean appearance.
  2. Effective Matting System: A high-quality matting system is a frontline defense against winter debris. Aim for at least 15 feet of matting at entrances, ideally in three zones:
    • Outside Scraper Mats: Capture the bulk of snow, mud, and grit.
    • Interior Scraper/Wiper Mats: Absorb and remove moisture.
    • Wiper Mats: Ensure final drying before entry into the main facility.

An effective matting setup can capture 85% of the dirt, grit, and moisture before it reaches interior floors.

  1. Neutralize, Don’t Just Clean: Use a neutralizing cleaner like ES83 Haze Away rather than basic cleaners. Neutralizers target salt deposits directly, leaving floors clean and slip-free.
  2. Outdoor Surface Maintenance: For outside entrances and walkways, consider pairing indoor floor care with periodic pressure washing to minimize salt accumulation and reduce the volume of residue tracked indoors.

With the right approach and tools, winter floor care doesn’t have to be a headache. Enviro-Solutions® ES83 Haze Away provides janitorial professionals with a powerful solution to tackle salt stains, enhance safety, and preserve the appearance of flooring throughout the season. By incorporating ES83 Haze Away into a regular winter maintenance routine, you can ensure that your facility remains clean, safe, and inviting—even in the harshest of winter conditions.