CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOOR CLEANING EQUIPMENT

Maintaining pristine floors is imperative in various settings, be it the polished corridors of a commercial space or the bustling floors of an industrial facility. Beyond the obvious aesthetic appeal, the cleanliness of your floors plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of everyone who treads upon them—whether they be customers, employees, or visitors. However, achieving spotless floors is not a mere feat of elbow grease; it demands the appropriate tools for the job.

You need the right equipment to clean floors properly and efficiently.

In this blog we’ll look at what’s available and suggest some points to consider.

Discovering the optimal cleaning machinery for hard and soft floors involves navigating a diverse range of equipment tailored to specific needs.

• Scrubber Dryers
• Sweepers
• Carpet Extractors
• Vacuum Cleaners

Scrubber Dryers, for instance, use water or a cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime. Equipped with a rear squeegee directing water to a central location, it is then expertly suctioned up and deposited into a recovery tank. These versatile cleaners come in both walk-behind and ride-on configurations, with walk-behind variants ideal for smaller spaces such as restrooms, and ride-on counterparts working better in large spaces like distribution centers, maintenance shops and wide hallways.

Sweepers, on the other hand, use brushes to collect dry dirt and debris, catering to both soft and hard floors. Available in walk-behind and ride-on models, sweepers seamlessly transition between indoor and outdoor environments, finding utility in workshops, storage yards, lobby areas, and meeting rooms.

For those soft floors in need of a deep cleanse, the carpet extractor takes center stage. This equipment is able to inject water and cleaning solution into the textile fabric, effectively removing the trapped dirt before sucking it into a dedicated bucket. As soft floor equipment though, they are intended just for indoor use.

Vacuum cleaners are the floor cleaning equipment everyone knows. A professional vacuum cleaner consists of a tank where dust, solid and liquid residues are collected; one or more suction motors; a filtration system that filters the intake and exhaust air; and finally, a whole series of accessories such as hoses, brushes and nozzles. There are various types on the market: dry vacuums, wet & dry vacuums, and models for specific and industrial applications.

In addition to the abovementioned equipment, it is essential not to overlook the wide range of manual tools available, which are suitable in the case of narrow spaces or those not easily reached by machines. In general, they can be distinguished into:

• Manual Sweepers
• Floor Squeegees
• Mop Frames

Manual sweepers – Differing in shape and materials, these are primarily designed for preliminary dry cleaning and removal of dust and coarse dirt from hard floors. They are excellent for moving in tight spaces, cleaning around machinery, vertical poles, and columns. They are also ideal for cleaning small spots after spills or breaks.

Floor squeegees – Specifically designed to move water away from areas on hard floors, floor squeegees consist of a rubber or polymer blade that adheres perfectly to the floor, pushing away excess water. They are available in different lengths and colors to meet different industry requirements.

Mop frames – This versatile manual floor cleaning equipment offers flexibility as it is ideal for both wet mopping and manual mopping of surfaces. Depending on the type of surface and degree of soiling, cotton or acrylic fringes, flat fringes, mops, disposable cloths or one-way wipes can be combined with the frame for effective cleaning of hard floors. Users have the option of choosing handles separately or opting for units with integrated handles and frames.

Start by considering the type of surface, whether it is indoor or outdoor, and the area to be cleaned. Next, determine the type of dirt to remove. Sweepers and vacuum cleaners are probably the right choice for dust and dry debris, but if you are dealing with stains and spills, scrubbers and wet and dry vacuums might work better.

Equipment can be battery-powered or corded. In the latter case, check the availability of power sockets in the places where you will be cleaning. If it is a battery-powered machine, it is a good idea to consider the battery capacity and the operating and charging times.

Clean floors create a positive impression to visitors and ensure a pleasant place to work and/or stay. Most importantly, clean floors reduce the risk of slips and trips. At IPC, we offer a wide range of equipment to keep your floors clean and safe! Contact us to discuss your needs.