Mechanized cleaning offers a huge number of advantages. But to make the most of this technique, it is important you have a good knowledge of the equipment you use. In this post we see how to use a floor scrubber and why it is important you use it correctly.
Choosing the right floor scrubber
We always remember this: every location has specific cleaning needs and to obtain the desired results it is essential to choose the right floor scrubber. So, if you haven’t already read it, check out our post with 8 things you should know before buying a scrubbing machine. Whereas the post in which we describe how a floor scrubber works may also be useful, as it is a fundamental step to understand how to use it.
How to use a floor scrubber: basic steps
Now that you have your own floor scrubber, it is time to understand how it works and what are the basic steps to use it correctly to make the most of its potential. Let’s see them in detail:
Prepare the floor scrubber
The first thing you need to take care is the area to be cleaned: it must be free of objects and free from material on the floor. So first tidy up the room and then proceed with a sweeper, or manually sweep if the area is not so big, in order to remove all the bulky parts that could damage the floor scrubber. If you have chosen a sweeping-scrubbing machine, in some cases you can avoid this step.
Next you have to prepare the floor scrubber. If it is battery powered, remember to fully charge it. Then you should check the wear of the squeegee rubbers and of brushes or pads. Regarding brushes and pads, remember to always use those suitable for the floor to be cleaned to avoid damaging it.
Finally, fill the solution tank and then add the detergent using the measuring cap. Remember to use only detergents suitable for the use with floor scrubbers and always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the detergent.
Cleaning
Let’s go into the details of how to use a floor scrubber: turn on the machine, make sure that the squeegee is lowered and that it is in contact with the floor in a uniform manner. Activate and regulate the flow of the floor scrubber. If possible, also adjust the pressure exerted on the brushes according to the floor and the type of dirt to be cleaned. If you have any doubts about this aspect, remember to check the use and maintenance manual that always comes with professional scrubbing machines.
The cleaning path
Set your cleaning path, that is the path to take when you use the floor scrubber. Always start in front of the exit door, so when the cleaning task is done you don’t have to go over freshly cleaned floors. Overlap each pass slightly to cover all the area. The suggested cleaning path changes between battery-powered and electric floor scrubbers:
- For battery-powered floor scrubbers, start near the wall and make wide turns at each pass to collect all the solution that settles on the floor. Start from the outside and get to the center of the area trying to avoid tight curves.
- For electric floor scrubbers, always start near the wall but proceed with back and forth linear movements, always paying close attention to the electric cable.
Finally, a tip on how to use your floor scrubber: do not go too fast. Moreover, always keep an eye on the solution level in the solution tank but also on the water in the recovery tank in order to empty it when necessary.
How to clean stubborn dirt
If you have to deal with stubborn dirt on your floor, as often happens in workshops, garages and crowded places, you can take advantage od the pre-washing technique. Also called the indirect method, it is a useful technique for removing the most stubborn and adherent dirt from the floor. Pre-washing with a floor scrubber means that you should first dispense the solution using only the action of the brushes, therefore without activating the suction. Then, you must repeat the operation with the suction activated so that you can collect the solution from the floor.
This technique is even more effective if you use a chemical that is correct for the type of floor and dirt. In fact, the washing power of the floor scrubber improves as you exploit the mechanical action of the brushes, the chemical action of the product and the time the detergent remains in contact with the dirt so that you can clean even the most stubborn stains.
End of work
After using the floor scrubber it is time for maintenance operations at the end of the work shift. Start by emptying and cleaning the tanks, always paying attention to where you empty them.
Next you should check the condition of the vacuum filter and clean the intake duct. Always remember to check the solution filter as well.
Then move on to cleaning the squeegee and the suction filter. If you use a Comac scrubbing machine, remember that the squeegee rubber can be used on all 4 sides. You can also easily identify the parts involved in daily maintenance because they are marked by the yellow colour. If, on the other hand, you don’t know which parts of your floor scrubber you should clean, have a look at its use and maintenance manual.
Finally, store the machine in a dedicated area that has to be protected, indoor, dry and away from heat sources. If your equipment is battery powered, remember to recharge it according to the battery type indications.
Why it is important to know how to use the floor scrubber
Now that we have clarified how to use a floor scrubber it is worth remembering why it is important to know how to do it in a proper way. Correct use, and therefore also correct maintenance, allows you to increase the useful life of the equipment. This means you save time and money by reducing downtime. Last but not least, a floor scrubber used in a proper way allows you to optimize cleaning results and always have clean floors and environments.
You can find the best floor scrubber in the world, but if you don’t know how to use it you will never get the cleaning results you hoped for. So make sure you know how to do it and that your staff also has the correct training on the procedures for preparing, cleaning and maintaining the machine.
If you need support in your choice or want more information on how to use your floor scrubber, do not hesitate to contact us. A worldwide network of authorized Comac dealers is waiting to help you.
This post is also available in: Italian