When To Use An Automatic Floor Scrubber

For companies with large amounts of floor space, an automatic scrubber is a year-round solution that saves time and money in the long run. Considering the amount of time it would take your staff to clean thousands of square feet of floor, along with the necessity for additional staff to accomplish the task in a timely fashion, automatic scrubbers are wise investments.

Floor scrubbers are appropriate for almost any type of hard floor. They can easily replace a simple mopping routine on hard wood, concrete, linoleum, tile and more. There are several types of scrubbers that are suited for a variety of applications. Walk-behind scrubbers are ideal for smaller areas. If your space is too large, your custodial staff may be prone to fatigue. Ride on scrubbers suit large floor spaces, but they are considerably more costly.

When you select a scrubber, consider a few options that will affect the utility of the device. The cleaning path is the floor area, from side to side, that the machine is capable of scrubbing in one pass. Typical cleaning paths range from 12 inches to 24 inches. The tank volume refers to how much cleaning solution your machine can hold, generally measured in gallons. The power source is equally as important, as it will determine the versatility and flexibility of your machine.

For example, consider an electric machine powered by a standard wall plug, coupled with a small cleaning path and shallow reservoir. This combination will limit your ability to use the product effectively. You will have to stop frequently to refill it with cleaner, or to move the cable to another outlet. Keep these things in mind as you identify the machine that is best for your space. By measuring the floor area and the number of available outlets in each room, you can determine how long your cable should be and how wide the cleaning path needs to be in order to be effective.

Depending on the finish of your floor, it is important to determine the effect an automatic scrubber may have on its appearance. This is determined by the scrubbing attachment used, the RPM, or speed at which your machine’s cleaning mechanism rotates, and the cleaning agent used.

Before you use any chemical on your floor, test it in a small area to see what it will do to the finish. Most cleaners will carry a warning label and provide recommended uses, along with applications to avoid. There is no guarantee that a chemical will not damage your floor, and using a powered scrubber to apply the cleaner can make the problem worse.

Once you have identified the proper cleaning solution to use on your floor, establish a timeline and cleaning schedule for your maintenance crew. Depending on the location of your business, you may need to take special consideration for the effect a cold winter can have on your floors. Your scrubber can clean the surface and reveal the condition of the floor’s finish, but it may be time to refinish or strip them entirely. While time consuming, refinishing your floor now will improve the results of your floor care routine.