Flotex Carpets are impervious backed textile floor coverings that are popular in Australian commercial facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, shops and schools. This popularity is due to the 80,000,000 nylon fibre density per square meter that makes Flotex basically crush/ware proof and highly resitant to staining. One of the only negatives associated with Flotex is cleaning as the incorrct equipment is often used.

At Duplex Cleaning Machines we have been working with Karndean International (Aus. Flotex Importer) for almost twenty years educating cleaners on proper methods of 'How to Clean Flotex' with recommended Duplex equipment. This includes the Fastvac upright vacuum and the Duplex 340/420 floor scrubber range.

How to Clean Flotex Carpets

Vacuuming - With Flotex carpets a normal vacuum cleaner is not able to penetrate the dense carpet fibers with suction alone or generate any airflow through the solid backing. For regular cleaning a vacuum cleaner with a motorised brush head, such as the Duplex Fastvac Upright Vacuum is recommended for basic everyday cleaning. This is because the bristles on the vacuum cleaner’s motorised brush agitate and lift dust from the carpet fiber and then it’s vacuumed from the surface. A normal vacuum cleaner will not operate effectively due to the Flotex carpet nylon backing and fibre density.

Cleaning - The nylon fibres in Flotex flooring should not allow stains to penetrate meaning that most soiling can be shifted with plain water and aggitation. This can be done by hand for small stains or by a floor scrubber for large areas.

How to Restore Flotex Carpets

With the rubber backing Flotex carpets are completely waterproof and dense nylon fibers make it almost stain proof. This means that heavily soiled Flotex carpets can be scrubbed like a hard floor. In fact the method recommended by Flotex is ‘Flood & Scrub’ with water alone, no chemical or detergent is needed. The Duplex 420 with a specific Flotex setting and belt pick up system is the perfect machine for restoring Flotex; in addition it is also recommended by Karndean International.

The Duplex 420 floor scrubber is the most effective and efficient machine for cleaning large areas of Flotex. With the Duplex’s specialised dual cylindrical brush design the machine can scrub, wash and extract in a single pass. This means that aged and heavily soiled Flotex can be restored in minutes. A Duplex Steam Kit can also be attached for increased stain sanitation and decreased drying times.

* Given the high fibre density and solid backing of Flotex, hot water extraction units are not very efficient.

For more information on How to Clean Flotex Carpet watch the video below:

Avoid Chemicals

Left over detergent residue is the biggest cause of dull or dirty looking Flotex carpets. This is because detergent dries sticky and actually attracts dust which causes stains. To see if there is residue left in your Flotex carpet do a 'Suds Test' by pouring a glass of water on a soiled area and scrub with a brush. If suds appear you will need to remove suds by either flushing with water or by using the Flotex Fix It suds neutraliser available through the Duplex distribution network.

For more information on How to Clean Flotex or for a free maintenence poster call Duplex on 1800 622 770 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Duplex have distributors in all major Australian and New Zealand cities who offer onsite demonstrations.