From order picking to storing and organizing new inventory, continuous movement is one of the biggest constant traits of the supply chain industry. All of that movement often generates a lot of dust, dirt, and contaminants—it’s totally unavoidable. Without proper provisions in place, those contaminants can easily spread from one employee to another. Moreover, they can also be carried into areas that require high levels of sanitation and temperature control.
PVC strip door curtains in warehouses and distribution centers prevent the spread of dust, dirt, contaminants, pathogens, and allergens. But they also require some level of cleaning and maintenance in order to maximize their performance in any facility.
Follow these helpful tips to keep your PVC strip door curtains in tiptop shape and maximize their functionality and longevity in your warehouse or distribution center.
Choose the Appropriate Dimensions for Your Space
PVC strip curtains serve a number of different functions in industrial spaces. In addition to separating different spaces and keeping your facilities well organized, they also have the capacity to increase safety measures, reduce the spread of dirt and contaminants, and maintain certain settings in temperature-controlled areas. To serve these functions properly, it’s important to install PVC curtains that are aptly fitted for the doorframes in which they’re being installed. Start by taking thorough measurements of your doorframes and then cut down the PVC strips to the appropriate size.
Clean Each Side One at a Time
If the purpose of your PVC curtain is to prevent the spread of contaminants, then you should take painstaking measures to clean each side separately and thoroughly. Use a different soft microfiber cloth for cleaning each side. Cleaning both sides with the same cloth or rag defeats the purpose because you’ll just be spreading the contaminants and germs from one side to the other.
Consider Installing Ribbed PVC Strips
Ribbed PVC strip curtains are more durable and impact resistant than their smooth counterparts. Most of the impact from warehouse machinery is absorbed by the ribs that stick out. This helps preserve the core form and function of the curtains and extends their longevity, so that they don’t have to be replaced as often. Ribbed PVC strip curtains are also lightweight and static-resistant, which makes them easier to walk through with minimal effort and without getting caught on or sticking to the curtain on particularly humid days.
Clean PVC Curtains with a Damp Sponge
To prevent unsightly watermarks and remove stuck-on dirt, dust, and grime, be sure to clean your PVC strip curtains with a damp sponge. Depending on how much dirt is caked on your curtains, you can use either the soft or rough side of the sponge to scrub it off. Make sure that the sponge isn’t too wet or soapy as this can leave behind unwanted mildew, which not only looks bad but it can also facilitate the growth of bacteria. Use a new sponge for every cleaning to prevent bacteria and pathogen accumulation.
Wipe from the Top Down
To prevent soap scum buildup and streaks on your freshly cleaned PVC strip curtains, make sure to carefully wipe them from the top down. Avoid wiping them in a circular motion with a damp cloth as this will leave behind unattractive watermarks and spread the dirt and dust around even more. Wiping each strip from the top down in a uniform fashion directs the dirt, dust, and any excess water downward, so that it easily comes off of the curtain rather than drying on it. Next, use a soft dry microfiber cloth to guarantee a completely streak-free clean.
Encourage Careful Use from Your Employees
Although PVC strip curtains are incredibly durable and can withstand all kinds of rough usage in industrial settings, they’re not entirely scratch-resistant and will start to show signs of wear and tear a lot faster if you don’t take good care of them. Encourage your employees to walk or drive through the curtains slowly and carefully. Not only does this ensure your PVC curtains will look newer and cleaner for a longer period of time, but it also prevents potential safety hazards by slowing warehouse and distribution center personnel down.
Put Them Away When Not in Use
The best way to maintain the appearance and performance of your PVC strip curtains is to put them in storage for safekeeping when you’re not using them. Areas that don’t get as much traffic or activity as more commonly used spaces don’t need PVC curtains open at all times, unless temperature and contamination control is required. Storing PVC curtains in these areas is easy. Simply use a roller fitting that’s attached to the ceiling to open and close your PVC strip curtains as needed. You can either manually or automatically roll them up into the ceiling when they’re not in use and roll them back down when you need them.
Use a Soft Towel or Cloth to Dry the Curtains
To prevent streaks, watermarks, and soap scum or residue, be sure to wipe down your PVC strip curtains with a dry microfiber cloth after each cleaning. This will keep them looking fresh, clean, and like new at all times. Maneuver the cloth in the same top to bottom downward direction as the sponge or washcloth you’re using to achieve a smooth and seamless finish.
Inspect Your PVC Curtains Regularly
Depending on how busy your facility gets, you may not always have the time to manually clean your PVC strip curtains. After a while, you may become so accustomed to having them that they just fade into the background. However, if you want to extend the lifespan of your PVC strip curtains, it’s important to make sure they get properly cleaned and are maintained on a regular basis. Schedule some time every week to meticulously inspect your PVC strip curtains for damages such as scratches, tears, and blemishes.
If you don’t have time to inspect and clean them yourself, then see if you can hire a cleaning crew for your facility.
PVC Strip Curtain Door Distributors in the GTA
Your search for “PVC strip curtains near me” ends here.
Canada Plastics & Belting Inc. is one of the leading suppliers of PVC strip door curtains for industrial and retail use in Toronto and the GTA. We have a long line of ribbed and smooth PVC strip curtains for warehouses and distribution centers that are easy to clean and maintain. Contact us today to learn more.