How to Clean Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring Using an i-mop: The Complete Cleaning & Maintenance Guide

Armstrong accolade Safe Flooring is known for its durability, hygiene, and slip-resistant performance — but it only works as intended when it’s cleaned correctly. Armstrong Accolade Safe is an innovation in slip-resistant vinyl flooring, developed especially to satisfy the growing market demand for safety, durability, and design versatility. This Australian-made accolade safe flooring emphasizes its Australian origin and quality, appealing to those seeking locally manufactured products. Developed to provide an easy maintenance floor covering, it offers a broad range of colours suited for various interior design needs. The slip-resistant vinyl sheet offers a range of colours to complement different interior design schemes, making it a versatile choice. This resistant vinyl sheet flooring is designed to meet the needs of both commercial and residential spaces.

That’s where the i-mop becomes a powerhouse. This compact, walk-behind scrubber cleans faster and deeper than manual mops — in fact, it can reduce cleaning time by up to 70%, improve hygiene levels dramatically, and enhance long-term safety compliance.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn exactly how to clean Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring using an i-mop, including daily routines, deep cleaning techniques, recommended products, and the biggest mistakes to avoid. Let’s get started!

What Makes Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring Unique?

Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to understand the characteristics of Accolade Safe Flooring:

Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring was developed as an innovative product to meet specific criteria for safety and durability, ensuring it meets the demands of environments that require flooring solutions meeting specific criteria for performance and compliance.

Slip-Resistant Texture

The flooring has embedded particles and micro-textures to prevent slips, especially in commercial areas like:

• Healthcare facilities
• Schools
• Aged care centers
• Retail stores
• Hospitality spaces

These embedded particles and micro-textures are designed to aid slip resistance and feature reduced aquaplaning, which helps prevent aquaplaning while aiding slip safety in wet conditions.

This texture collects dirt more easily, making standard mops ineffective.

Vinyl Safety Construction

Accolade flooring is made from high-performance PVC safety materials designed for:

• Heavy foot traffic
• Hygiene-sensitive environments
• Superior longevity

Unlike conventional slip-resistant flooring, Accolade Safe does not use the silicone chips found in traditional products. This means you get reliable slip resistance and safety without compromise.

Why Proper Cleaning Matters

If cleaning is done incorrectly:

• Slip resistance decreases
• Detergent residue accumulates
• Dirt embeds deep into the texture
• Floor lifespan shortens
• Surfaces become sticky or shiny (a safety hazard)

Using the i-mop solves these issues by delivering mechanical agitation and superior water recovery.

Proper cleaning ensures the flooring continues to offer and provide its intended safety and slip resistance benefits.

Why the i-mop is the Best Tool for Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring

The i-mop has become a preferred cleaning machine for safety flooring thanks to its:

1. Deep Scrubbing Ability

Two counter-rotating brushes lift dirt from deep within the textured surface.

2. Fast Coverage

It cleans up to 1,000 m² per hour, ideal for large facilities.

3. Excellent Water Recovery

Its vacuum system prevents residue and ensures faster drying.

4. Easy Maneuverability

It moves like a mop but cleans like an auto-scrubber — perfect for:

• Narrow hallways
• Wet rooms
• Kitchens
• Reception areas

5. Safer Cleaning Process

Because Accolade Safe Flooring must NOT be coated with polish or sealers, the i-mop provides the required mechanical cleaning without damaging the floor.

Using the i-mop also helps maintain the seamless transition and continuity of safety and appearance across different areas, complementing the flooring's design.

How to Prepare the Floor Before Using the i-mop

Preparation ensures the i-mop performs at its best. Follow these steps:

1. Dry Sweep or Dust Mop

Remove:

• Loose dirt
• Dust
• Food crumbs
• Grit
• Hair
• Debris

This prevents the brushes from grinding particles into the flooring.

2. Spot Clean Sticky Spills

Use a neutral cleaner and cloth to remove:

• Gum
• Glue
• Food spills
• Beverage residue
• Grease spots

3. Inspect the Floor

Check for:

• Scuffs
• Stains
• Heavily soiled areas
• Corners with buildup

4. Place Wet Floor Signs

Safety first!

How to Clean Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring Using an i-mop (Step-by-Step)

Accolade Safe Flooring is suitable for a variety of environments, including wet barefoot areas and spaces where a secure foothold is essential. The Accolade collection includes options like Accolade Foothold, designed specifically for wet barefoot areas that require enhanced slip resistance. So, to clean it properly is essential to maintain the slip resistance of the floor. Proper cleaning not only preserves the floor’s safety features but also extends its lifespan, ensuring it continues to perform well in demanding environments. By following the correct cleaning procedures, facility managers and cleaning staff can ensure that the flooring remains compliant with safety standards and continues to provide a seamless transition between different areas, complementing the overall interior design.

Step 1: Fill the i-mop with a Neutral pH Cleaner

Accolade Safe Flooring requires:

• Neutral pH (7.0-8.5 range) floor cleaner
• NO acidic, alkaline, or solvent-based products
• NO bleach
• NO floor polish or sealers

Dilution example:
Most neutral floor cleaners recommend 1:100 (10 mL per 1 L of water).
Always follow manufacturer instructions.

Step 2: Choose the Correct Brush Heads

For Accolade Safe Flooring, use:

✔ Blue brushes (standard scrub brushes)

Best for:

• Safety flooring
• Daily cleaning
• General soil

✔ Soft brushes (optional)

For delicate areas.

❌ Do NOT use:

• Hard/aggressive brushes (can damage texture)
• Pads designed for stripping

Step 3: Apply the Cleaning Solution

Start the i-mop and apply cleaning solution in an overlap pattern:

• Move forward slowly
• Overlap each pass by 1/3
• Allow 30–60 seconds of dwell time before scrubbing deeply

Dwell time helps break down:

• Grease
• Body oils
• Soap residue
• Traffic marks

Step 4: Scrub the Floor Slowly

For textured safety flooring:

• Make slow, controlled movements
• Allow brushes to dig into the texture
• Do NOT rush — speed reduces cleaning effectiveness

Focus on:

• Entrances
• Wet rooms
• High-traffic lanes
• Kitchen and food areas

Step 5: Extract Dirty Water Completely

After scrubbing, run a final vacuum pass with clean water if needed.

This step is critical because:

• Residue reduces slip resistance
• Leftover detergent becomes sticky
• Dirt reattaches to the floor surface

The i-mop’s vacuum ensures the floor dries fast and stays safe.

How to Perform a Deep Clean Using the i-mop

Deep cleaning should be done:

• Weekly in commercial settings
• Monthly in residential spaces
• More often in kitchens or hospitals

Steps:

1. Use a slightly stronger dilution (still neutral pH).

2. Increase dwell time to 2–3 minutes.

3. Scrub north–south, then east–west (crosshatch pattern).

4. Repeat in stubborn areas.

5. Finish with a clean-water rinse pass.

Deep cleaning restores:

• Slip resistance
• Appearance
• Hygiene levels

Regular deep cleaning also helps maintain the ultimate safety features of the Accolade collection, including Accolade Plus for areas where safety flooring is not required.

Best Cleaning Chemicals to Use

Look for:

• Neutral pH floor detergents
• Low-foaming formulas
• Safety flooring-compatible cleaners

Avoid at all costs:

• High alkaline degreasers
• Acidic cleaners
• Solvents
• Bleach
• Steam cleaning
• Furniture polish
• Wax or sealants

These can permanently damage the anti-slip texture.

Preventing Residue Buildup

Detergent residue is the #1 cause of slippery floors.

Prevent it by:

• Using the correct dilution
• Performing a rinse pass regularly
• Never overusing detergent
• Allowing full vacuum extraction
• Cleaning is slow enough for proper agitation

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using an i-mop on Accolade Flooring

❌ Using brushes that are too aggressive
❌ Cleaning too fast
❌ Skipping dwell time
❌ Leaving detergent sitting on the floor
❌ Failing to dry sweep first
❌ Using bleach
❌ Using steam cleaners
❌ Applying polish or wax
❌ Over-wetting the flooring

Each of these can damage the flooring or reduce slip resistance.

Troubleshooting Guide

Floor still slippery?

• Reduce detergent strength
• Perform a rinse pass
• Repeat deep clean
• Check brush type

Streaky floors?

• Too much detergent
• Dirty recovery tank
• Dirty brushes

Sticky or tacky feeling?

• Detergent residue
• Not enough rinse/extraction

Conclusion

Cleaning Armstrong Accolade Safe Flooring using an i-mop is hands down the best way to maintain its appearance, hygiene, and safety performance. With the right technique, neutral pH cleaners, and consistent routine, your flooring will remain clean, slip-resistant, and long-lasting.

Start implementing this guide today and transform your cleaning results instantly — your floors (and your cleaning team!) will thank you.

Book a demo now to learn more!