Floor scrubbers are a fundamental tool to have clean floors, thus giving added value to the environments in which you live or work. So, we immediately understand how important it is to carry out proper maintenance, as it allows you to extend the life expectancy of the scrubbing machine while granting constant and optimal performance. Let’s see how to clean a floor scrubber and some tips for its proper maintenance.
How to clean a floor scrubber
To understand how to clean a floor scrubber, you should know how it’s made and how it works. This is because we can divide the cleaning and maintenance operations of the scrubber dryer according to its components:
- Tanks: both solution and recovery.
- Filters: solution filter, suction filter and the basket filter for solid waste that is located in the recovery tank.
- Squeegee: both the structure and the blades.
- Base: brushes (disc or cylindrical) or pads.
- Hoses: exhaust and suction.
- Batteries (for battery powered floor scrubbers).
If your floor scrubber is battery powered, remember to disconnect the batteries before you carry out all the operations we describe here below.
Cleaning the floor scrubber tanks
The first aspect we analyze to understand how to clean a floor scrubber is related to its tanks. Scrubber dryers have two separate tanks: the solution tank, where you find water and the specific detergent, and the recovery tank, where you find the dirty solution collected from the floor. Let’s see how to clean the tanks of your scrubbing machine:
- Solution tank. In case the floor scrubber is not used for prolonged periods, always remember to empty the solution tank at the end of the work. In fact, the detergent could become ineffective or, worse still, settle and block the flow of the solution to the brushes.
- Recovery tank. Also in this case remember to empty it as the dirt could become muddy and settle in the bottom of the tank itself. This means that if you don’t use the floor scrubber it could solidify and become difficult to remove. Then rinse the recovery tank with clean water, and if possible, help yourself with a jet of water. For example, Comac scrubbers dryers equipped with Spray&Suction Tool make this operation easier thanks to the handy spray gun. This operation must be done at the end of each work shift, this is due to the fact that if you don’t empty the thank, bad odors can form inside and bacteria can proliferate.
Bonus tip: after cleaning the tanks, store them with the lid open. In this way the air can circulate, the tanks dry well and no bad smells are created.
Cleaning the floor scrubber filters
Floor scrubbers are equipped with filters to ensure optimal cleaning. The filters must be checked and cleaned in order to maintain constant performance. So, always remember to clean:
- The waste basket filter located in the recovery tank. It is called a filter but is actually a container designed to collect small solid debris (such as cigarette butts, wood chips or food particles) that have been vacuumed up while cleaning the floor. So remember to check and clean this container.
- The suction filter. Also in this case, the small debris that are sucked up by the floor scrubber can accumulate. If the suction filter is dirty, the drying results are not optimal and you don’t have perfectly dry floors. Then remove the suction filter, which is often located inside the float, and rinse it under running water.
- The solution filter. This filter is used to prevent any debris coming from the clean water tank entering the solution circuit and blocking it. Again, remove the solution filter and rinse it under running water.
Check the condition of the float and the suction filter of the Vispa XL scrubbing machine Cleaning the solution filter of the Vispa XL scrubbing machine
Cleaning the squeegee of the floor scrubber
The squeegee is used to allow the floor scrubber to collect the solution from the floor and leave it dry. So, clean the squeegee blades after each use to prevent any residues from drying well or, in the worst case, damaging the floor. Also clean the squeegee frame to prevent corrosion of some of its parts. During the cleaning phase, also check the condition of the squeegee blades and remember that those equipped on Comac scrubbing machines can be used on 4 sides, so rotate them when needed.
Cleaning the floor scrubber base
Remember to regularly clean the pads or brushes of your floor scrubber. These parts are used to clean the floor from dirt, therefore it can stick to the pad or stuck in the bristles of the brush. Its removal allows you to always have optimal cleaning performance. In addition, if the scrubbing machine is used in different places, it allows you to reduce the possibility of cross contamination. If you constantly clean the base, you can also check the wear of the brush or pad and proceed with its replacement.
If your scrubbing machine is in the sweeping version, also remember to empty the small solid debris hopper located on the base.
Cleaning the hoses of the floor scrubber
Remember to regularly check and clean the suction and exhaust hoses of your floor scrubber. There should be no debris or cracks in the hoses. You can rinse the suction hose with clean water to remove any debris. While if there are visible cracks or leaks, the hose must be replaced since in this case the suction is compromised and therefore also the performance of your floor cleaning machine.
Maintenance of the floor scrubber batteries
Most floor scrubbers are battery powered, and therefore require proper maintenance. As we have already seen in the list of 9 things you should know about the batteries of your floor scrubber, there are flooded, gel, AGM or lithium batteries. Each battery type has its own maintenance needs, if you want to know more we recommend that you read the post. In any case, regardless of the battery type, before using the floor scrubber remember to check:
- The charge level of the batteries.
- The battery poles conditions: in the presence of oxide, request the intervention of a technician.
- That batteries are properly connected.
- The level of distilled water in case the floor scrubber is equipped with flooded (or lead-acid) batteries.
How to clean a floor scrubber? Watch the video
We have published a video on the Comac YouTube channel with the basic steps for cleaning the Antea scrubber dryer, but valid for all professional scrubbers:
Extra tips on how to clean your floor scrubber
Well, now that we have seen how to clean your floor scrubber, it’s time to leave you some extra tips. Let’s start by reminding you to clean the scrubbing machine at the end of each shift. But remember to check it even before starting the cleaning operation, especially when the machine is used by different people.
When you are not using the floor scrubber, remember to:
- leave the tanks open in order to ventilate them;
- lift the squeegee to avoid its damage;
- lift the base so as not to damage the brushes or the pad.
If possible, avoid long periods of inactivity and if necessary remember to store the batteries properly (charged, away from heat sources, in a safe environment …).
In addition to proper cleaning your floor scrubber, periodically check its consumables such as squeegee blades and brushes. And don’t forget to schedule maintenance and have it checked only by authorized and professional technicians.
Take care of your floor scrubber to make it last!
If, on the other hand, you need more information on how to clean your floor scrubber, contact us. A worldwide network of Comac authorized dealers is at your complete disposal and ready to help you.
This post is also available in: Italian