Shops and retail spaces: the first impression starts with the floor

When a customer walks into a shop, they form a judgement within seconds — before they've even seen the goods. The lighting, the music, the layout and the floor all say whether the place is well kept. A dirty floor at the entrance, trolley marks or dusty corners between the shelves send a signal no discount can drown out.

This article is for owners and managers of shops and retail spaces — from the small neighbourhood shop to a larger retail floor: how to organise floor cleaning without getting in customers' way, and how to make a clean floor part of the impression.

The entrance: where everything is decided

The entrance is the busiest and most visible part of the shop. This is where street dirt comes in, and where the customer forms their first impression.

• A mat outside and inside — holds back much of the mud, water and sand.
• Cleaning the mat — a full mat no longer holds anything.
• Checking the entrance often — especially in bad weather. More on winter conditions in the article on mud, snow and salt.
• A "Wet floor" sign — whenever you mop during opening hours.

When to clean

The main mopping of the sales floor should be before opening or after closing. Customers shouldn't walk on a wet floor between the shelves — it's inconvenient and risky.

During opening hours — only quick, local interventions:

• a spilled liquid or broken packaging;
• wet footprints at the entrance;
• mud on the main aisles in bad weather.

For quick interventions, a small 5 L bucket and a mop kept somewhere handy but out of sight are useful.

Fast drying is a must

In a shop the floor must dry quickly — both after the main mop before opening and after quick interventions during the day. A fast-drying cleaner shortens the time an area has to be cordoned off. Cobra floor cleaners are low-foam and fast-drying and are designed for hard floor surfaces.

Trolley and shoe marks

Trolleys and black soles leave marks, especially on light tiles. Ordinary mopping doesn't remove them.

• Rub on the spot with a microfibre cloth and a little solution.
• For more stubborn marks — with a brush with handle.
• On large areas — a floor scrubber with a brush is the most effective. For machine cleaning use a low-foam cleaner; Cobra with luxury fragrance is listed as suitable for floor-cleaning machines too. We explain why low foam matters in the article on low-foam cleaners.

Corners and the space under the shelves

Dust and small debris collect under the shelving, in the corners and around the tills. Customers may not bend down to look, but the staff stocking the shelves see it — and the dust reaches the goods.

• Once a week — clean under the shelving with a flat mop or a brush.
• Daily — the checkout area, where customers stand and wait.

Fragrance in a shop

Fragrance is part of a shop's atmosphere. A fresh smell on arrival leaves a feeling of cleanliness and care. Many shops choose fresh fragrances such as Cobra Mango or Cobra Strawberry for the sales floor.

There are exceptions, though:

• Food shops — a strong perfumed scent can mix unpleasantly with the smell of the products. A lighter fragrance and a precise dose are better here.
• Cosmetics and perfume shops — the floor's fragrance shouldn't compete with the goods.

Use one fragrance consistently — more in the article on fragrance in cleaning.

The store room and back-of-house

Customers don't see them, but the store room needs regular cleaning too — dust and dirt from there are carried into the shop on trolleys and staff shoes. Mop the store room at least once a week and keep cleaning products separate from the goods, especially if you sell food.

The holiday season

In December shop traffic rises, and with it the dirt. Double your attention on the entrance and checkout area, check customer toilets more often (if you have them) and build up a larger stock of cleaners and supplies. For the deep clean before the holidays, see the pre-holiday cleaning plan.

Tools and supplies

• A mop — the ballerina-type microfibre mop or the microfibre strip mop.
• Buckets — the 12 L bucket with wringer for the main mop and the small 5 L bucket for interventions.
• Brush and dustpan — the brush with handle, the dustpan.
• Cloths — a roll of microfibre cloths, glass cloths for the shop windows.
• Gloves — nitrile gloves.
• Bags — bin bags for the tills and the store room.

Example daily routine

1. Before opening: sweep, mop the sales floor and entrance, clean the shop windows and the door glass.
2. During the day: check the entrance, quick interventions, clean the checkout area.
3. After closing: sweep, clean trolley marks, take out the rubbish, dry the mats.

You'll find more tasks by frequency in the cleaning checklist for businesses.

In short

• The entrance sets the first impression — mats and frequent checks.
• Main mopping before opening or after closing; during the day, only quick interventions.
• A fast-drying, low-foam cleaner.
• Trolley marks — rub on the spot, or a machine with a low-foam cleaner.
• A fresh fragrance, except in food and perfume shops.

For retail businesses we offer negotiated prices and regular deliveries — get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Can we mop the floor during opening hours?

The main mopping — better not. During opening hours do only quick, local interventions and cordon the area off with a sign.

How do we remove trolley wheel marks?

Rub on the spot with a microfibre cloth and solution, or with a brush. On large areas a machine with a brush is the most effective.

What fragrance should a food shop choose?

A light fragrance at a precise dose — that way the floor smells fresh without mixing with the smell of the products.

How often should we clean the store room?

At least once a week, and with food — as the storage requirements dictate. Dust and dirt from the store room are carried onto the shop floor, so the store room shouldn't be neglected.

What should we do about broken packaging with liquid?

Cordon off the area straight away, collect the glass or packaging carefully, soak up the liquid with a cloth or a chamois and mop the area. Dry it before you remove the sign.