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Having the right equipment helps. For industrial applications, that means using a floor scrubber to make quick work of large areas and heavy-duty jobs, saving your team time and money.
Explore our buying guide to learn how floor scrubbers work, and to find the option thats right for your business.
Floor scrubbers 101
Trade your mop and bucket (or worse, rags and elbow grease) for an efficient commercial floor scrubber that uses less water and cleaning solutions than traditional floor-cleaning methods to get the job done.
Floor scrubbers are equipped with a tank that dispenses a mixture of water and detergent. As the operator propels the floor scrubber, water and solutions are applied to the floor via a scrubbing pad or brush. Pads are used for even, coated surfaces and brushes for uneven, rough surfaces. A squeegee and built-in vacuum then kick in, returning the water to the tank for a quick-drying floor, helping to prevent slips.
The equipment is built to make cleaning easier and more ergonomic, reducing labor costs and fatigue. Pad-assist floor scrubbers use the friction of the scrub deck against the floor to propel the machine forward, and they are activated by tilting the machine forward. (This video shows you how they work.) Traction-drive floor scrubbers use an electric motor to propel the machine. (Check out this video to see them in action.)
Should you walk or ride?
As you peruse floor scrubber options, you might be wondering what type is right for your facility and teamwalking, riding, or hand-held. To make the right choice, its helpful to understand the characteristics and advantages of each one:
- Walk-behind: With its easy maneuverability, a walk-behind floor scrubber is ideally suited for tight or difficult-to-reach spaces as you navigate it into corners and nooks. You can also use it to clean under desks, tables, workbenches, and other furniture or equipment. Its small footprint makes it perfect for facilities with limited storage availability.
- Ride-on: Consistent speed and less-intensive operating requirements enable a ride-on floor scrubber to cover more square footage in less time than walk-behind models, making it the right choice for larger areas. While it might cost more upfront, a ride-on floor scrubber can help you save money over time through reduced operator fatigue and lower labor costs.
- Hand-held: This type of floor scrubber is ideal for short-term use to access hard-to-reach spaces, such as corners, ceilings, and skirting boards. It makes a handy supplement to ride-on or walk-behind models that are used for wider floor expanses.
How much capacity is needed?
Floor scrubbers come in a variety of sizes and capacities. Which one you choose will largely depend on the expanse of the floors youll be covering. But note: Being able to handle the job in one go is crucial. Consider these factors:
- Battery-powered vs. corded: Consider the amount of time the floor scrubber will be running as well as the extent of the job. A battery-operated machine might be a better fit for a larger space as the reach of a corded machine is limited based on access to a power outlet. (Double-check manufacturer recommendations before using an extension cord with a floor scrubber.)
- Size of solution and recovery tank: The bigger the job, the bigger the tank should be to reduce or eliminate the number of mid-job refills.
- Width of cleaning path: Check the dimensions of the floor scrubber to make sure you can easily maneuver it throughout your facility. You dont want to end up with a riding floor scrubber that wont fit down your aisles.
- Motor power: Compare options to see which power capacity is recommended for the floor expanse youll be covering.
Make the most of your floor scrubber
>While a floor scrubber is designed to do the hard work, here are a few best practices that can help you maximize its performance.
First, clear floors of dust, dirt, and other impediments by sweeping or dry mopping the area. This ensures debris doesnt get caught under the pad or squeegee and cause streaked or scratched floors or damage the machine itself.
Typically, youll want to start the cleaning process in the corner farthest from the door, so you are moving toward it as you work and wont be walking on clean floors.
After completing the task, remove the recovery tank (where the water goes after its used) and rinse it completely to avoid chemical buildup. Then store the floor scrubber safely out of the way until its next use.
Dont forget the cleaning pads
Using the right cleaning pad for your machine and being aware of its life expectancy is also critical when using a floor scrubber. A pads life expectancy is based on how many square feet of space it has cleaned. Calculate the amount of floor space that will be cleaned and how often youll be running the floor scrubber to estimate when you need a replacement floor scrubber pad. Consider the demands of your application when choosing a pad, with a range of floor scrubber pad options available for scrubbing, buffing, polishing, and more.
If your machine is battery-operated, ensure you have a sufficient charge to complete the job and establish a policy for when your team should recharge it. (For example, nightly or weekly, so you can be sure its ready to go when you need it.)
Link to Felici Machinery
Train your team on how to use the floor scrubber safely, to protect themselves as well as the equipment and your floors. Instructing them on proper floor scrubber maintenance is also important to protect the machines lifespan and keep your floors cleaner for years to come.
Find the floor scrubber that fits your needs
Take the next step toward cleaner floors by exploring the wide range of floor scrubbers and accessories Global Industrial offers. If youre unsure or have questions about which floor scrubber might be right for you, connect with our product experts who can help you identify the size and features needed to get the job done right.
The information contained in this article is for informational, educational, and promotional purposes only and is based on information available as of the initial date of publication. It is the readers responsibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, rules, codes and regulations. If there is any question or doubt in regard to any element contained in this article, please consult a licensed professional. Under no circumstances will Global Industrial® be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on this article.
Your bedroom isnt going to clean itself. If you were anything like most kids, you probably heard that more than once growing up. Cleaning isnt a task many people relish. But its critical to protecting your health and safety at home and in your warehouse.
But unlike your home, there are better ways to clean your facility than a mop and a bucket of bleach. Industrial floor scrubbers get your floors cleaner than the old-fashioned methods. And they save hundreds of work hours. Read more to learn how to find the right industrial floor scrubber for your operation.
Why Machine Labor Instead of Manual
Industrial floor scrubbers outperform the traditional bucket and mop in every category. Below are the top 3 reasons why floor scrubbers are the best choice for your facility.
1. Safety
You might not consider mop and bucket a significant safety hazard. But slips, trips, and falls are responsible for over 100,000 workplace injuries and over 100 deaths each year. And the average worker injured by a fall will be out of work for 12 days. As a result, falls from slipping are one of the most common workers compensation claims.
Falls due to slipping or tripping are the 3rd most preventable cause of injury in the workplace. And a clean, dry floor goes a long way toward preventing them in your warehouse. Mops slosh water and detergent everywhere, leaving slick flooring in their wake. That wet floor is an accident waiting to happen, even with proper signage.
Plus, each dip of the mop deposits more bacteria and grime into the bucket. This quickly overwhelms the already diluted cleaning solution. And after only a few passes, the water turns into a putrid sludge of bacteria. Then the mop spreads that slurry across every floor in your facility. The result is a biological nightmare that threatens the health of your staff.
Only industrial floor scrubbers can ensure a clean, dry floor in your facility. The water-saving design and large water tanks of modern industrial floor scrubbers ensure that cleaning uses only fresh water. This removes the risk of spreading contamination. Additionally, efficient squeegee systems ensure that all cleaning water gets collected, leaving only dry flooring behind.
2. Cost
Manual cleaning requires manual labor. On average, a worker can mop 4,000 - 5,000 square feet of flooring each hour. An employee with a walk-behind floor scrubber cleans about 13,000 square feet in that same time. And a ride-on floor scrubber cleans over 100,000 square feet of flooring in that hour. That makes floor scrubbers 20 times more efficient than a mop and bucket. That level of efficiency means you could cut cleaning labor costs by up to 80%.
3. Green Cleaning
Mops waste a lot of water with each sodden pass. By comparison, industrial floor scrubbers use very little water. And water retention technology ensures that nearly zero water is wasted during cleaning.
Additionally, many environments may not need cleaning chemicals at all. Some can be cleaned with just water and scrubber pads. Steam is also an effective cleaning agent that kills 99.9% of pathogens. And when chemicals are required, modern floor scrubbers allow the operator to control the dilution to use only what is needed.
Know Your Cleaning Needs
There are innumerable options for industrial floor scrubbers on the market. The good news is that whatever your needs, there is a model to meet them. The bad news is that youll want to know your needs before investing. Below are the key things youll want to consider when selecting the right floor scrubber for your facility.
- Types of debris. Are you planning to clean up food spills or metal shavings? Knowing what type of debris the floor scrubber needs to handle will help you choose between disc scrubbers and cylindrical brushes.
- Size of the cleaning area. How many square feet need to be cleaned daily? This is one of the factors that will help you choose between a walk-behind floor scrubber, a ride-on floor scrubber, or an autonomous floor scrubber.
- Narrow spaces. Does your facility have lots of narrow spaces like tight aisles? Walk-behind floor scrubbers are small enough to reach places that ride-on floor scrubbers cannot. But they are not as effective when cleaning large open areas.
- Power source. Do you have a place where your floor scrubber batteries can be charged when not in use? If so, youll want to invest in battery-operated floor scrubbers as they offer more flexibility than plug-in models. Plus, theyre safer since there is no cord to trip over.
- Noise tolerance. Does your facility work round the clock? Do you have areas that require quiet? Knowing how much noise you can tolerate from your floor scrubber helps determine which models best fit your needs.
- Consumable parts. Every floor scrubber eventually needs to replace components like hoses, squeegee blades, and brushes. Check the compatibility of the parts offered by your local supplier. You dont want to invest in a floor scrubber that requires parts that must be special ordered every time you need them.
- Tank size. The size of the cleaning area influences tank size. But looking at tank sizes larger than you expect to need is worthwhile. A large tank means less time spent refilling and more time cleaning.
- Pressure and dilution adjustments. Do you expect your floor scrubber will need to clean tough spots and stains? If so, look for a model that allows the operator to adjust the cleaning pressure and dilution level on the control panel.
- Empty and refill areas. Where will your floor scrubbers empty their tanks and refill them? Is it easy to get to? If not, ask about extra-long drain hoses to improve access.
Floor Scrubber Options
Floor scrubbers come in a wide array of configurations. But there are a few general types to know when selecting one for your warehouse.
Walk-behind Floor Scrubbers
Walk-behind floor scrubbers are controlled while the operator walks behind them. They are motorized so that the operator does not have to push but can walk at a comfortable pace.
These floor scrubbers are smaller than ride-on variants. Their compact size makes them an excellent choice for tight areas, narrow aisles, interior doorways, and ramps. Walk-behind floor scrubbers are also easy to transport throughout your facility since they fit a standard passenger elevator.
Ride-on Floor Scrubbers
Ride-on floor scrubbers are precisely that. The operator drives the floor scrubber while seated atop it. These floor scrubbers excel at cleaning large open areas quickly and efficiently. They are an excellent choice for many warehouses and garages with lots of square footage to clean.
Automated Floor Scrubbers
The future is here in the form of automated floor scrubbers. Automated floor scrubbers are autonomous units that clean pre-programmed paths through a facility independent of an operator. They are simple to set up and operate. This allows any operator to program them with minimal training.
Obstacle-sensing technology allows them to avoid obstructions and pedestrians without sacrificing cleaning efficiency. This allows your floor scrubber to work on the floors while the operator focuses on other projects.
Disc Scrubbers
Disc scrubber models use a pair of flat pads or brushes to clean. These pads rotate at high speeds while water shoots between them. This provides effective, high-pressure cleaning, making disc scrubbers excellent choices for:
- Shining floors
- Removing scuff marks
- Stripping floor wax
- Cleaning tile
Disc scrubbers work best on swept surfaces. They need smooth floorings like sheet vinyl or polished concrete for maximum efficiency. As a result, they are popular choices in retail spaces, schools, and hospitals.
Cylindrical Brush Scrubbers
Cylindrical brush scrubbers clean using a pair of tube-shaped brushes that rotate in opposite directions. One brush sweep, collecting debris into an onboard hopper. And the other brush scrubs the floor. This pairing removes the need to sweep floors before cleaning. This time-saving feature makes cylindrical brushes an excellent choice for facilities that generate a lot of fine debris, like fabrication shops or manufacturing floors.
Additionally, the brushes of a cylindrical brush scrubber rotate twice as fast as a disc scrubber. A higher brush speed allows them to use less water. And the cylindrical shape ensures they perform better than disc scrubbers on floors with cracks or grout lines.
Buy New or Lease
The next big question is whether to lease a floor scrubber or purchase a new unit. For most applications, buying a new unit is the most cost-effective option. Reducing labor costs means even ride-on floor scrubbers will pay for themselves in less than 5 years. And walk-behind units show a return on investment even faster due to their lower cost.
If you will only be using the floor scrubber for a limited time, then leasing is likely your best option. But make sure to investigate monthly rates before choosing the leasing option over a new purchase. Monthly rates change based on the lease period, with shorter leases typically being more expensive per month than longer commitments. Depending on the terms of your lease and how frequently you expect to lease a floor scrubber, buying new may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Where To Learn More About Floor Scrubbers
There is an industrial floor scrubber out there to fit any need. So, if you would like to learn more about which one is right for you, ask an expert at Mid-Columbia Forklift. We offer onsite demos. We will bring industrial cleaning equipment to your facility so you can see it in person and in action. Contact us online or reach out to one of our dealerships by :
Auburn 253-854-
Pasco 509-547-
Wenatchee 509-663-
Yakima 509-457-
Further Reading
3 Reasons Why Scrubbers Are Better Than Sweepers for Your Warehouse
3 Reasons Why Sweepers Are Better Than Scrubbers for Your Warehouse
When to Buy Walk-Behind Vs. Ride-On Industrial Cleaning Equipment
Why Does My Warehouse Need a Cleaning Plan?