It is an undisputed fact that clean facilities make for safe and productive work environments. But manual cleaning is both time and cost-intensive. Businesses typically reduce cleaning time by about 80% when they shift from manual to automated floor cleaning. Cleaning equipment like floor scrubbers, sweepers, and washers consistently provide a higher quality of cleaning.
If you are on the lookout for a floor scrubber, here is a comprehensive guide that can help you choose the right equipment for your needs.
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Functionality:
A floor scrubber cleans and dries your floor in one go. It uses water, a cleaning agent, and a brush to clean. Then, it follows up with a squeegee to dry the surface. There are three main cleaning components to accomplish this task.
The Automatic dispensing system dispenses a controlled amount of cleaning solution or water from the tank onto the floor. You can even choose a water-saving mode to reduce water consumption.
The Scrubbing system is a floor pad or brush at the bottom. It works with the cleaning solution to remove dirt and soil from the floor. It also buffs out scuff marks.
The Solution recovery system uses a squeegee and vacuum pressure to remove the used cleaning solution (the dirty slurry) from the floor. The slurry is stored in a separate recovery tank.
Cleaning heads:
Disk-type brushes use circular motion along the floor and are best suited for smooth floors. You have to sweep the floor clear of large debris before scrubbing.
Cylindrical brushes rotate across the floor and collect any debris into the receptacle behind them. They can clean uneven surfaces as well.
Square pads clean smooth floors with a to-and-fro motion. They are well suited to clean corners and edges.
What size do you need?
An upright scrubber is apt if your facility is sized between 500-1200 square feet. Its advantage is that you can manoeuvre it around corners and beneath the furniture.
A walk-behind machine is suitable for bigger spaces. It comes in a wide range of path widths to suit your needs. The ideal machine should fit in the narrowest open path and cover the largest possible area in one go. Walk-behind scrubbers are easy to manoeuvre. If you would like to reduce the manual labour involved, you can go for the self-driven variant, which can be moved with relative ease.
You can use a ride-on version on open areas larger than 15000 sq ft. They come with large tanks and require very few refilling breaks. These require the least amount of effort to use.
What power source suits you?
Scrubbers are either cord or battery-powered. Cord-powered scrubbers have cables about 50 feet long. Battery-powered scrubbers can be used anywhere between one to seven hours per charge, depending on the model. The latter is suitable where cables spread on the floor can pose tripping, electrocution, or other hazards.
What are your purchase options?
You have the option of buying new or pre-owned scrubbers. Cleaning equipment suppliers also offer scrubbers on hire. Hiring periods vary from 1 day to 60 months. This way, you save up on capital and maintenance costs. Do consult your supplier to understand your hiring options.
What after-sales service do you get?
You can schedule periodic maintenance visits from experts. Suppliers also offer pick-up and delivery services for equipment that require repair. Be sure to inquire about replacement floor scrubbers while your machine is undergoing upkeep.
A clean space leads to a happier, healthier, more productive workforce. Investing in quality cleaning solutions will improve your business outcomes manifold. Consult your cleaning equipment expert to know what solution best suits your needs.
Author Bio: Alison Lurie is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.