Cleanability
Suspended ceilings
To ensure the durability of Ecophon ceiling tiles, a couple of general recommendations should always be followed:
- Perform regular maintenance of the ventilation system
- Avoid pressure differences between the plenum and the room
- Wear clean cotton gloves when handling the tiles
The common cleaning methods for ceiling tiles require the use of a soft microfibre cloth (made of minimum 70% polyester):
- Dry cleaning: wipe directly with the soft microfibre cloth in gentle, circular movements or with vacuum cleaner set at reduced suction with a soft brush or alternatively with the soft microfibre cloth wrapped around the standard head. Gently vacuum the surface, with very soft contact between the cleaner head and the panels in linear movements.
- Wet wiping: saturate the microfibre cloth with water or with a mild detergent solution adapted to indoor painted surfaces. Wipe in circular movements and with moderate pressure.
In demanding environments, ceilings panels need to be compatible with advanced cleaning, disinfecting and scrubbing methods.
Some specific Ecophon products have been designed and tested for more challenging protocols:
- Wet cleaning at low pressure: apply a suitable cleaning foam or gel on the surface, then rinse with water and finally wipe the surface dry with a clean soft microfibre cloth (made of minimum 70% polyester) in gentle circular movements.
- Wet cleaning at high pressure: using a high pressure water equipment, ceiling systems with tiles secured with clips can be washed with pressure set between 20 and 40 bar, keeping a distance of at least 0.5 m between the hose and the panel. For an even higher pressure but not exceeding 100 bar, it is recommended to demount the tiles from the grid system, lay them against a rigid surface and keep a distance of at least 1 m between the hose and the panel. In all cases, it is recommended to keep an angle of incidence of 30° and a water temperature of 20°C. Clean the surface in linear movements.
- Steam cleaning: apply steam to the surface of the panels through a nozzle together with a soft microfibre cloth (made of minimum 70% polyester), in gentle circular movements.
- Disinfection with Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour: according to the test method specified by Bioquell.
Note: The use of clips on the back of the panels facilitates cleaning.
Always refer to a product’s technical datasheet to ensure its compatibility with the described cleaning methods.
Always ensure that the corrosion class of the ceiling grids is compatible with the desired cleaning protocol and cleaning products.
Stretch fabrics
Clipso technical fabrics are polyester fabrics coated with polyurethane, which under most circumstances protects them from absorbing odours. Clipso fabrics are hydrophobic and require little or no maintenance.
If cleaning is required, it is recommended to use the Clipso Cleaner and the Clipso cleaning glove or a non-abrasive soft cloth. The method to follow is:
- Spray some Clipso Cleaner on the glove and dab the area immediately.
- If the stain persists, it is possible to repeat the operation several times.
Alternatively, other pH-neutral cleaning agents can be used with a soft cloth, provided it has first been tested on a scrap piece or on a non-visible area of the fabric.
Under no circumstance should sodium hypochlorite based solutions (bleach) be used.
Acoustic plaster
The dried surface can be cleaned with compressed air. Any use of water or cleaning fluid will lead to clogging of the porous structure, resulting in a reduction of sound-absorbing effectiveness.
All craftsmen involved in the project are to be informed that all work on the system must be carried out carefully and with clean tools. Clean gloves should also be worn during the work. This advice is particularly important for subsequent installation work by other trades.