How To Clean A Greasy Restaurant Kitchen Floor?

Last Updated on October 15, 2023 by admin
Having a clean kitchen floor is essential for any restaurant. Grease and oil can quickly build up on the surface, creating an unsightly mess and potentially leading to safety hazards. It’s relatively easy to get rid of this grease and keep the floors looking squeaky clean.
Is A Greasy Restaurant Floor Such A Big Deal?
Yes, it is. Having a greasy restaurant floor can be a huge problem for several reasons.
- It creates an unpleasant environment for your customers and employees.
- Slippery floors are unsightly, uncomfortable to walk on, and can even pose a safety hazard in the kitchen.
- Grease and dirt can accumulate on the floor, potentially leading to a buildup of bacteria and other nasty germs. This is especially problematic in food preparation surfaces with frequent contact with raw foods.
- Not only can a greasy restaurant floor be bad for your health, but it can also cause lasting damage to your equipment. Grease and dirt buildup on surfaces can attract rodents, cockroaches, and other pests that may damage your equipment or spread diseases.
- A greasy restaurant floor is not suitable for business. Nobody wants to eat in an establishment with a dirty floor, which can result in a poor customer experience and potentially even bad reviews. It’s important to ensure that your kitchen floors are kept clean to maintain a professional image and create a positive customer experience.
Things Required For Cleaning
- Degreaser
- Warm water
- Broom
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Wet floor sign
- Wet mop
Things needed for cleaning
How To Clean A Greasy Restaurant Kitchen Floor?

Sweep the floor: Start sweeping the floor with a broom to eliminate debris or dirt. If there are stubborn pieces, scrape them up gently with a spatula.

Use a chemical degreaser: Once the floor is swept, use a chemical degreaser to break down the grease and dirt. Follow the instructions on the container for the best results.

Scrub the floor using a stiff-bristled brush: Now, scrub the floor in small sections using a stiff-bristled brush and hot water. Take your time to ensure you get into all the nooks and crannies.
Remove all degreaser residue: Once you’re happy the floor is thoroughly clean, use a wet mop to remove all the degreaser residue.
Rinse the floor: Use hot water to rinse the floor and pick up any remaining debris. Dry with a clean cloth or mop.
Let the floor air dry: Let the floor dry to ensure it is clean and free of residue.
Best Degreaser For Restaurant Floors?
The best degreaser for restaurant kitchen floors depends on your floor type. A commercial degreaser is usually your safest bet for concrete, tile, or vinyl restaurant kitchen floors. Commercial degreasers are designed to cut through even the toughest grease and grime without damaging the floor’s surface. If you have wood or laminate kitchen floors, you should avoid using commercial degreasers as they can be too harsh on the surface. Instead, use a milder solution of warm water and dish detergent.
Types Of Soils And Levels

Protein Soils: Protein Soils are the toughest to get out and are often left behind after mopping. Protein soils come from food items spilled on the floor, like grease, oil, and gravy.

Fats & Natural Oils: Fats and natural oils will slowly build up on the floor over time, creating a greasy film that is difficult to remove.
Mineral Deposits: Mineral deposits from water and soil can build up on the surface of restaurant floors, creating a gritty residue that needs to be removed.
Organic Soils: Organic soils come from food particles, dust, and dirt, which accumulate over time on the flooring.

Greases & Lubricating Oils: Greases and lubricating oils are often found in restaurant kitchens, as they keep the machinery running smoothly. They can create a slippery film on the floor if not cleaned up properly.
Reasons For Greasy Restaurant Floors
Clogged Drains: Grease clogs the drainage system in a kitchen, causing the grease to spill onto the floor.
Unsustainable Floors: Restaurant floors that don’t have proper sealing or protective coating can quickly become greasy and slippery.
Cooking Spills: Restaurants handle a lot of oil and other greasy substances while cooking, and even a tiny spillage can make the floor greasy.
Improper Cleaning: Not mopping or cleaning up spills regularly can lead to the accumulation of grease on a kitchen floor.
Tile Pores: Tiles in the restaurant kitchen are porous, meaning they easily absorb grease and other oils.
Mops and Buckets: Mopping with dirty mop water or buckets contaminated with oil can spread more grease on the floor.
Ventilation Issues: Poor ventilation can cause a buildup of fumes from cooking, making the kitchen floor greasy.
Leaning Things in the Wrong Order: Cleaning the walls and counters first, then the floor last, can cause dirt and grease to spread around the kitchen floor.
Outdated Cleaning Techniques: Old mop and bucket cleaning methods can leave a lot of residues behind, making floors greasy.
Dirty Mops: Dirty mops can spread any remaining grease or oils around the floor, making it even more slippery.
Cleaning Products: Using the wrong type of products or incorrect amounts can leave grease and oil residue.
Not cleaning correctly: Not cleaning the kitchen floor or leaving behind streaks of oil and grease can make floors greasy.
Benefits Of Using Floor Scrubbers For Restaurant Grease Removal
Quicker dry times: Restaurant floor scrubbers allow for a quicker dry time, making the floors safe to walk on in less time than using a mop and bucket. Not having to wait long periods for the floors to dry allows you to get back to your routine more quickly, allowing more efficient use of your staff’s time.
Greater cleaning efficiency: Floor scrubbers have a greater cleaning efficiency than mops and buckets, allowing for deeper and more effective cleaning of even the toughest grease stains. This increases the longevity of your floors, saving you time and money in the long run.
Environmentally friendly: Many floor scrubber models are powered by electricity or battery packs, meaning no hazardous chemicals that can harm the environment and your staff. This allows for a more sustainable approach to cleaning, allowing you to rest assured that your restaurant is doing its part in helping the environment.
Cost-effective: Floor scrubbers are an incredibly cost-effective alternative to mops and buckets, as they save time, labor, and money in the long run. Investing in a floor scrubber for your restaurant can help you save on costs, allowing you to reinvest those funds into other parts of your business.
Safe to use: Floor scrubbers are designed with safety in mind, meaning they are easy to use and do not require any special training or certification. This makes them an excellent choice for restaurant owners looking to provide the safest environment possible for their staff and customers.
Improved hygiene: Floor scrubbers allow you to achieve a much deeper clean than mops and buckets, meaning improved hygiene standards in your kitchen. Not only does this help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria, but it also gives customers peace of mind knowing that their food is being prepared in a clean and safe environment. This can significantly affect customer satisfaction, leading to repeat customers and positive reviews.
More straightforward cleaning process: Floor scrubbers allow for much easier cleaning than mops and buckets, meaning less time is spent on tedious tasks. This frees your staff to focus their efforts on other areas of the restaurant, allowing for greater efficiency and productivity.
Low-foaming and non-corrosive: Floor scrubbers are typically low-foaming, meaning you don’t have to worry about foam buildup on your floors. They are non-corrosive and will not damage the floor finish as some cleaning chemicals can. This helps ensure that your floors remain in excellent condition for years to come.
Tips For Cleaning Greasy Restaurant Floor
Use a dedicated mop for your high-grease areas: Using a reliable mop and bucket helps prevent cross-contamination of dirt and bacteria. Mop heads should be changed regularly to ensure that your restaurant meets health standards.
Use hot water: Hot water helps dissolve grease, making it easier to remove from the surface. Use a temperature of at least 140°F and a thermometer to check the temperature.
Use a degreaser: A degreaser is essential for cleaning greasy restaurant floors. Choose one made specifically for restaurants, such as a detergent-based alkaline cleaner, and dilute it according to the instructions on the label.
Treat your tile with an anti-slip solution: For restaurant kitchens with tile floors, treat it with an anti-slip solution. This will help to keep the surface safe and reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Use a scrubbing brush: In cases where grease has been allowed to build up over time, you may need to use a stiff brush to remove it effectively.
Clean as you go: The best way to keep your restaurant kitchen floor clean is to clean up spills and messes as they occur. Cleaning before the grease builds up will help keep your floors looking great.
Use a vacuum cleaner: If possible, use a vacuum cleaner to dry debris on the floor. This can help reduce the time spent scrubbing and make it easier to get into tight corners.
Rinse and dry: After cleaning, rinse the floor with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a cotton mop. This will help remove any leftover residue and leave your floors fresh and shiny.
Clean every day: Clean your floors at least once daily to ensure they are always in top condition. This will help keep your restaurant safe and up to health standards.
Invest in slip-resistant matting: Investing in slip-resistant matting is an excellent way to reduce the risk of slips and falls in your restaurant kitchen. Make sure to choose one that is oil and grease resistant and fire-retardant. Place it along high-traffic areas, such as near the stove or fryer.
FAQs
How Much Might You Spend on Restaurant Cleaning Services?
The cost of restaurant cleaning services will depend on the size and complexity of your restaurant. A typical cleaning service for a standard-sized restaurant kitchen may range from $100 to $400 per visit, depending on the number of staff members required, the type of equipment needed, and the materials used.
How to clean greasy floor kitchen tiles?
The best way to clean greasy floor kitchen tiles is by using a degreaser and a mop.
Conclusion
Cleaning a greasy restaurant kitchen floor is full-time and can be very trying. However, it will help maintain the establishment’s safety and cleanliness when done correctly. Using the right products and techniques is essential for the best results. Make sure you always wear protective gear when cleaning, as it will help to protect you from any potential hazards. Furthermore, regularly checking your equipment for worn or broken parts can significantly increase its lifespan.