Cleaning floors isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ operation. Whether it’s domestic cleaning at home or industrial cleaning for business, it’s very important to select the right tool for the task at hand. Using incorrect equipment not only wastes time, money and energy – it can also damage your floor surface as well. This is especially true of larger sized industrial cleaners, which must be selected carefully for the best results. Here are some of the most common products and appliances for different floor cleaning functions.
Vacuum Cleaners
There’s a big range in the functionality of different vacuum cleaners, with special types for particular tasks. Using a standard household vacuum cleaner may be enough for a small domestic space but it’s not appropriate for a large establishment as it would take too long to clean. While dry vacuum cleaners are still the most commonly used, a new range of wet and dry vacuum cleaners is better suited to large and busy private or public facilities like schools, hospitals, hotels and shopping centres.
Vacuum cleaners with a strong suction action are generally fine for cleaning carpets of dirt and debris. If you need to remove unsafe or potentially hazardous items while cleaning, you can purchase a special safety vacuum which will protect its operator from any harmful substances. Whether you want a vacuum cleaner with or without a bag is another consideration – cleaning out blocked bags and replacing them regularly can be time-consuming if you have large areas to clean.
For large floor spaces and those with a lot of foot traffic, you should opt for an industrial vacuum cleaner as these are specifically made for this purpose. While larger machines will obviously cost more than basic models, the cleaning time saved in man-hours soon adds up and they can very quickly pay for themselves.
Scrubber Dryers
Floor scrubbers are specifically designed to scrub and clean floors exposed to stains, grease and dirt that is hard to remove with less powerful tools. These machines come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with smaller ‘walk behind’ models easy to maneuvre in more narrow areas and larger operator-driven machines able to clean and dry wide surface areas in no time at all. A control panel is typically built into the machine handle for easy access and because they’re simple to operate, training is usually not required.
Industrial scrubbers work by using a system of water, detergent and multiple brushes to scrub their way through even the toughest grease and grime. Their sturdy size and weight allows them to be operated safely on wet surfaces without danger of slipping. Some machines scrub, clean and mop up excess water while others also dry the floor using a powerful vacuum suction. This leaves the floor spotless and dry in minutes, making it safe to walk on without delay.
Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaners are another powerful cleaning tool, providing an excellent level of hygiene. For this reason, they are often used in kitchens, restaurants, hospitals and other facilities and establishments where hygiene safety is paramount. Steam vapour cleaners use dried-up vapour to clean floor surfaces rather than water and detergent. As a result, surface areas are not left damp and slippery after cleaning. Steam cleaners are also good for individuals sensitive to chemicals and cleaning products, as the high temperature vapours utilised in the cleaning process disinfect surface areas very quickly. Steam cleaners can be purchased for both domestic and commercial use.
Whatever the scale of your cleaning requirements, you’ll find a cleaning tool that can do the job quickly and efficiently, saving you time and money and leaving your floors clean, dry and safe to walk on.
