Elevator maintenance involves many moving parts — cables, electrical systems, guide rails, sensors, doors and more — but the interior is just as important. Since elevator interiors are customer facing, they can significantly impact user experience.
Regular maintenance offers numerous benefits, including safety, longevity, and overall aesthetic appeal. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about maintaining elevator interiors. Like any other piece of equipment, they require proper upkeep inside and out to ensure functionality and safety.
Understanding elevator interiors
Not every elevator interior has the same combination of materials. In fact, they are often created using a variety of products, including stainless steel, glass, laminate, acrylic, carpet, wood, aluminum, granite and marble.
In addition to the materials, it’s important to keep in mind the various components that require regular maintenance. These include walls, floors, ceilings and fixtures. Regular inspections of these elements can help identify wear and tear early, allowing for timely repairs. Additionally, specific areas, such as door tracks and thresholds, should be monitored closely to prevent dirt accumulation, which can affect functionality.
Understanding the unique combination of materials and components in your elevator interior can guide your maintenance strategy. For example, certain cleaning solutions may be more suitable for specific materials, ensuring that they are not damaged during the cleaning process.
Cleaning vs. sanitising vs. disinfecting
It’s essential to differentiate between cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting.
- Cleaning involves removing dirt, dust, crumbs, debris and germs from objects or surfaces often using some type of soap or detergent.
- While cleaning eliminates most harmful germs, such as viruses and bacteria, disinfecting goes a step further by killing any remaining germs on the surface, further decreasing the risk of disease transmission. This involves using chemical disinfectants such as alcohol or bleach.
- Sanitising involves cleaning, disinfecting or using a combination of both methods to reduce germs on a surface to a safe and acceptable level, as determined by public health standards or requirements in settings such as schools, workplaces and restaurants.
How often should you clean & disinfect your elevator interiors?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The frequency of cleaning and disinfecting will depend on the type of building and how often your elevators are used throughout the day. For example, if you have dozens of elevators in a busy, high-traffic building, daily cleaning and disinfecting may be necessary. Conversely, a single elevator in a small residential building might only require weekly attention.
Medical facilities take a more stringent approach, as they experience a constant influx of sick individuals. Elevators in high-traffic areas, such as lobbies and emergency departments, should be disinfected continuously throughout the day.
It’s also essential to consider the climate and season. Elevators may require more frequent cleaning during flu season or when another illness is spreading through the building. Certain viruses can survive on surfaces for anywhere from a few hours to several days, so when in doubt, it’s best to disinfect.
10 tips for keeping elevator interiors clean & functional
While the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting depends on various factors, there are general guidelines you can follow. Keep in mind that these are merely recommendations, and your specific situation may require more or less frequent cleaning and disinfecting.
- Create a regular cleaning schedule
It’s important to remember that while some parts of the elevator interior require daily cleaning, others may only need attention on a weekly or monthly basis. Create a daily, weekly, and monthly checklist to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
- Use appropriate cleaning products
Regularly wipe down surfaces such as walls, handrails and control panels with an appropriate cleaner, which will help remove dust, dirt, fingerprints and other unwanted grime. Use a disposable paper towel or a microfiber cloth, and an EPA-registered disinfectant. Opt for a non-abrasive, non-corrosive solution that is compatible with the surface material, and make sure any products you use aren’t expired.
- Pay attention to high-touch areas
Handrails, control panels and doors are often a hotspot for germs, so pay special attention to those high-touch areas. Remember to never pour water on any electrical components.
- Maintain floors and mats
If the lift has a hard floor surface, sweep up to remove any loose dirt and debris. Mop the surface using an appropriate floor cleaner, which can enhance the overall appearance but also prevents slips and falls. If the elevator has a mat or rug, sweep or vacuum the surface and if possible, clean the floor underneath. It’s important to remember that carpets can trap dust, germs and dirt, so vacuum even if it looks clean.
- Check for trash and debris
Inspect the lift on a regular basis to ensure it’s free from trash and debris. Empty any waste bins, and remove litter from the floor and mat. Maintaining a clean environment not only enhances the elevator’s appearance but also contributes to a positive user experience.
- Monitor climate and seasonal changes
If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that proper cleaning and disinfecting are crucial to preventing the spread of infectious diseases. You may need to clean your elevator more frequently during cold and flu season or periods of increased foot traffic.
- Post educational signage
Encourage elevator users to avoid eating or drinking inside and to dispose of trash properly. Consider installing signage both inside the elevator and in the lobby to remind users of these guidelines.
- Schedule periodic deep cleanings
While regular cleaning is essential, it’s equally important to schedule periodic deep cleanings. These involve more intensive tasks, such as thoroughly scrubbing hard-to-reach areas, addressing built-up grime and giving extra attention to high-touch surfaces and corners that may not be covered during routine cleanings.
- Regularly inspect interior components
It’s important to make sure all lights, fixtures and control panels are in working order. Promptly address any wear and tear, scratches or damages to ensure the elevator interior is in top condition.
- Consider partnering with a cleaning service
If you’re managing multiple elevators, or even just a few high-traffic ones, hiring a professional cleaning service for regular and deep cleaning can be a smart move. Their expertise ensures that every aspect of the elevator is thorugohuly cleaned and well-maintained.
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As Vice President of Operations for Stanley Elevator, Ryan oversees the field, construction and modernisation teams. His resume includes over 10 years of first-hand experience in elevator field service, project management, surveying, estimating and warehouse operations.
