Floor cleaning can be a challenge, but if you choose the right brushes for your floor scrubber, you can get flawless floors with ease. In this article, we will explore all the information you need to know about floor scrubber brushes. We will see the different types of brushes available on the market, we will explore their applications, and we will give you some useful tips for choosing the right brush and achieving effective cleaning. If you are looking to improve floor cleaning, whether in industrial or commercial environments, you are in the right place. Continue reading the post to find out how these brushes can make a difference in the performance of your scrubbing machine and therefore in your cleaning routine.
Floor scrubbers brush base type
Before exploring the details of the brushes, it is essential to understand the different brush bases types, as the brushes change based on the type of base. Floor scrubbers can have three types of brush base:
- Disc, also called disk deck, which is the most common and is usually made up of one, two or more disc brushes. As we will see later, scrubber dryers with disc bases can be equipped with a pad holder to work with the pads.
- Cylindrical, also called sweeping deck, designed to collect small solid debris and normally composed of one or two cylindrical brushes.
- Orbital, composed of a washing head with pad which performs a micro-vibrational movement to work, also called micro orbital movement.
What are floor scrubber brushes?
Floor scrubber brushes are essential tools for obtaining clean and flawless floors without effort. These devices work in synergy with scrubbing machines, simplifying the cleaning process and maximizing their efficiency. If we examine the brush taking into consideration the Sinner Circle, we can identify it as a component of the mechanical action, i.e. one of the 4 variable factors present in every cleaning operation.
How is a floor scrubber brush made?
The brush is an object with multiple uses: in fact it is used for personal hygiene, in the professional and also industrial field. Specifically, the floor scrubber brush is composed of bristles made from different materials which are fixed to a polypropylene base, called a support disc, shaft or body. The solidity of the disc defines the reliability of the brush itself as it is the part that must not deform, while the material of the bristles determines the quality of the cleaning result.
Types of brushes for floor scrubbers
There are mainly two types of brushes for floor scrubbers, each linked to the type of base and designed for specific cleaning needs:
- Disc brushes: for disc bases.
- Cylindrical brushes: for cylindrical bases.
- Pads: for pad holders. We also include these accessories in the list since they can be used instead of disc brushes.
Disc and cylindrical brushes
Disc brushes for floor scrubbers, as the name suggests, have a flat disc shape. They are effective for removing light and especially adhering dirt. While the cylindrical or roller brushes for scrubbing machines allow you to wash and collect small solid debris in a single pass. In both cases, floor scrubber brushes should be chosen based on the material of the bristles:
Natural fibre
Natural fibre brushes are also called union mix. They are a composite of natural fibers such as Bassine, Tampico and Palmyra. The disc ones are perfect for polishing and washing delicate surfaces such as marble, granite, porphyry, cotto tiles and carpet. While cylindrical natural fiber brushes are used to work in the presence of very fine dust and on smooth surfaces with small debris. They have a shorter life than nylon or PPL brushes and must be used with non-aggressive detergents. They are therefore not suitable for cleaning heavy dirt, but are excellent for maintenance cleaning.
Polypropylene (PPL)
PPL is a synthetic polymer that absorbs water and is very resistant to chemicals. The bristles of PPL brushes have a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 mm based on the need for abrasion. They can be used on any type of flooring, especially for irregular surfaces or with joints, both for maintenance and deep cleaning. Both disc and cylindrical brushes are available with PPL bristles. PPL brushes are the most used on Comac floor scrubbers.
Nylon (PA)
PA is a synthetic polymer that does not absorb water. They can be used as an alternative to PPL brushes, but have a slightly shorter life. They are particularly suitable for washing rough surfaces, therefore perfect for concrete floors such as those in industrial areas or car parks. Also in this case they are suitable for maintenance and deep cleaning and are available both disc and cylindrical.
Abrasive
The bristles of abrasive brushes are made of nylon and covered with a very resistant abrasive material. They are recommended for the deep cleaning of industrial surfaces and must be used by appropriately combining the pressure on the brush to avoid damaging the flooring. They are available in both disc and cylindrical versions.
Steel
Steel brushes are an alternative to abrasive brushes. They are recommended for extraordinary cleaning operations, especially for industrial flooring with difficult dirt, such as that of foundries. Steel brushes are available in both disc and cylindrical shapes.
Floor pads for floor scrubbers
As an alternative to disc brushes, floor scrubbers can be used with pad holders. The pad holders have the same rigid support disc as the brush, but do not have the bristles that are replaced by the pads. In general, we can say that floor cleaning pads do not have bristles, but are instead made of a spongy material. They are suitable for both maintenance and deep cleaning and are appropriate for all types of flooring. For this reason, they are the ideal solution for porcelain, stoneware or micro-pored floors. They are not recommended for cleaning disconnected floors. Compared to the brushes, floor scrubber pads wear out more quickly. The choice of the floor pad must be made based on the color, in fact they range from black for the most abrasive to white for the most delicate.
Tips for optimizing the performance of your floor scrubber brushes
We have seen that the floor scrubber brushes must be chosen based on the type of floor and the type of result you want. In fact, you can have the best scrubber dryer but if you don’t use the right brushes, the cleaning result can be poor, and you can even risk ruining the floor. Here you have some tips to help you optimize the performance of the brushes and therefore also of your floor scrubber:
- Regularly check for wear. Some brushes are equipped with a special indicator to understand when it is time to replace them. A brush in excellent condition guarantees optimal performance. If the bristles are too worn, in fact, they are not flexible and cannot remove dirt effectively.
- Clean the brushes. Dirt can get stuck in the bristles, compromising their effectiveness. Furthermore, if you use the floor scrubber in multiple environments, cleaning the brushes allows you to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.
- When scrubbing, be careful and first remove any materials that can get stuck in the brushes, especially the cylindrical ones where cords, string or pieces of packaging could get caught.
In conclusion, the choice of the type of the floor scrubber brush depends on the type of floor you want to clean and your specific needs. Disc brushes, cylindrical brushes and floor pads offer unique benefits. Choose the one that best suits your needs and follow the best practices to always obtain flawless floors with minimal effort. If you have any questions or need further advice on how to keep your floors shiny and clean, do not hesitate to contact us, a worldwide network of Comac authorized distributors is at your complete disposal.
This post is also available in: Italian