Floor Scrubber Brush vs Pad: What’s the Difference?

Your floor scrubber helps you clean better and faster. Once you discover how much quicker and more effective scrubbing the floor is over traditional methods you’ll wish you’d found it sooner.

The pads or brushes your machine uses are ultimately what deliver the cleaning results, and given all the wear and tear they take on, regular replacement is just part of ownership. But what’s the difference between a floor scrubber brush vs pad, if any?

These more or less do the same thing, which is why it will ultimately come down to the specific type of floor you’re trying to clean. A smooth floor like VCT (vinyl composition tile) is best suited to floor pads. Pads are gentler and will quickly be torn up on any rough surface.

Brushes are more versatile and can be used on any floor type - smooth, flat, old, or new. They’re more durable and more abrasive, so they not only provide deeper scrubbing but last far longer than pads.

Learn more about the nuances between scrubber brushes and pads below to choose the right style for your cleaning needs. Whatever you need, you can rest assured SweepScrub has it in store for you. Get in touch today for a personalized recommendation or browse our catalog!

Floor Scrubber Brush vs Pad: What’s the Difference?

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between floor scrubber brushes and pads. They each have their place, but only one is ideal for your specific flooring and cleaning needs.

Overview of Brushes

Brushes are designed for more aggressive cleaning tasks on textured or uneven surfaces, but they can work exceptionally well on smooth, flat surfaces too. 

They’re typically made from durable materials like nylon, polypropylene, or grit-infused bristles, each suited for different types of scrubbing. Brushes come in two main styles: 

• Cylindrical brushes: Better suited for cleaning grooved or rough surfaces since they can reach deeper into the texture of the floor.
• Rotary brushes: Offer a more traditional circular scrubbing motion for heavy-duty jobs that need a more abrasive approach.

It’s also important to note that there are different types of brushes. Softer brushes like those made from nylon can be used on smoother surfaces if you’re worried about damaging the flooring. 

There are also multi-purpose polypropylene brushes that can be used on just about any type of flooring for a more versatile choice. Then, there’s the abrasive grit brush, which should be used on only the roughest surfaces or floors with lots of grout. 

We recommend using brushes for removing stubborn dirt, grime, and even built-up grease from surfaces like tile, concrete, or rough industrial floors. They’re also great for outdoor cleaning, such as scrubbing concrete parking lots or sidewalks.

You’ll also find that floor scrubber brushes last longer with their more durable design. So if you’re looking to maximize your cleaning budget, you may find brushes a more economical choice. But, let’s look at the other half of the floor scrubber brush vs pad comparison. 

Overview of Pads

Floor scrubber pads are used for lighter, more delicate cleaning tasks and are available in a range of textures and grit levels. You’ll find them in softer materials like polyester or melamine in a variety of colors, which corresponds to the pad’s level of abrasiveness:

• White: This ultra-fine pad is used to polish clean, dry floors to a high-gloss finish, ideal for machines up to 3000 rpm.
• Red: A light-duty pad for cleaning and buffing. It removes minor scuffs and dirt while producing a high-gloss shine, ideal for machines up to 800 rpm.
• Blue: Used with neutral cleaners to scrub hard floors and remove soiled finish layers, suited for machines up to 350 rpm.
• Green: Designed for aggressive scrubbing to remove dirt and scuff marks from heavily soiled floors, and also for light stripping, for machines up to 350 rpm.
• Black: A heavy-duty pad used with floor stripping solutions to remove old finishes or sealers, ideal for machines up to 350 rpm.

In general, though, pads are great for smooth surfaces like vinyl, hardwood, or polished stone floors. These are more sensitive to abrasion and could be damaged by a brush - but they still need SOME level of abrasion.

Pads are softer so they provide a controlled clean that is better suited for regular maintenance tasks rather than heavy-duty scrubbing. They’ll also maintain the shine on a polished floor without causing damage or leaving behind streaks.

These tend to wear out a bit faster than brushes, but they’re cheaper and easier to replace as we outline in our guide on how to change pads on floor scrubber. 

Are Brushes or Pads Better for Floor Scrubbers?

You might already be leaning one way or the other after reading through this brief comparison of the floor scrubber brush vs pad. But if not, let’s take a closer look at where each has an edge below so you can make the right choice for your floor type.

Scrubbing Power

Scrubbing power more or less comes down to surface area and material used. 

Pads cover more surface area than brushes which is why they’re ideal for smooth surfaces like VCT or other polished floors. When paired with the right cleaning solution they can easily glide over smooth surfaces, lifting dirt and grime efficiently.

On the other hand, brushes are the go-to choice for rough, uneven surfaces like concrete or tile with deep grout lines. They’re able to penetrate deep into crevices where pads might struggle. The end result is a deep clean even in the most challenging areas.

Durability and Wear

There’s a clear advantage between a floor scrubber brush vs pad when it comes to durability and wear. It’s not even close, frankly. Brushes will often outlast pads at a ratio of 200 to 1.

We consider pads to be disposable after a few uses or once both sides are worn out. While they may be less durable, they still work great on smoother polished floors where gentle cleaning is all that is needed.

In contrast, brushes can last for months if properly maintained. They’re durable even on rough floors where pads would be worn to the point of replacement in a single use. Facilities with rough or uneven flooring will find that brushes provide better long-term value.

Maintenance and Ease of Use

Since they’re not meant to be used time and time again, pads are virtually maintenance-free. You’ll want to give them a quick clean after each use and flip them over once the pad is worn. 

Meanwhile, brushes do require a bit more attention to cleanliness. Caring for brushes requires routine inspection and more intensive cleaning for trapped debris or wear that could impact the scrubbing process.

Sure, this can be a bit of a hassle. But, you don’t have to constantly replace brushes the same way you do pads. You don’t have to even worry about centering or flipping them. 

Cost Comparison

Now, let’s look at the floor scrubber brush vs pad through a cost comparison. This one is tricky because pads are way cheaper than brushes at first glance. But as with most things, you get what you pay for.

But since you’ll find yourself replacing them far more frequently, the costs can quickly add up in the long run. Brushes tend to be more expensive upfront but could deliver better value in the long run given their longevity. 

Businesses with rough floors or heavy cleaning needs may save more by opting for brushes, whereas companies with smooth, finished flooring might find pads more economical for their specific needs. As we said from the start, it really just comes down to floor type.

Which Option is Better for Your Floor Type?

Think about the type of flooring you’re trying to clean. Are you trying to use a floor scrubber on a gym floor, or are you trying to clean commercial tile floors? 

The key takeaway is this: smooth and polished floors like VCT are better suited to floor scrubber pads whereas brushes are a better choice for rough or textured surfaces, including concrete, tile with deep grout lines, or uneven flooring.

You might find that you actually need both styles on hand for different parts of your facility if you have more than one flooring type. This is common in fitness center settings, like for cleaning the rubber gym mats of your weightlifting area before moving onto the smooth hardwood floors of your basketball courts.

Ultimately, our advice is to get in touch if you’re unsure which is right for you. As the #1 provider of commercial floor scrubber for sale, SweepScrub also has all the pads and brushes you could need!

Find All the Replacement Brushes or Pads You Need for Your Floor Scrubber at SweepScrub!

SweepScrub is your trusted source whether you need a commercial walk-behind floor scrubber or industrial ride-on floor scrubber, or even spare parts to keep your equipment working as intended.

We’ve curated our catalog to feature the best brands in the industry so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you deserve. Thanks to your long-standing relationships with these manufacturers, we’re able to keep our pricing low, too.

But really what keeps our customers coming back for more is our world-class customer service. Whether you still need advice on choosing between a floor scrubber brush vs pad or want guidance on navigating the replacement process, we’re here for you every step of the way.

From scrubbers to brushes and pads, commercial floor sweepers, industrial sweeper scrubber machines, cleaning chemicals, and everything in between, this is your one-stop shop for commercial cleaning. Get in touch today and upgrade your cleaning process!

Bringing Our Floor Scrubber Brush vs Pad Comparison to a Close

Hopefully, you have a clear understanding of the nuances between a floor scrubber brush vs pad after reading this comparison guide. While they serve the same purpose, they’re suited to different types of floorings and levels of soil.

In closing, brushes are best suited to rougher floors with a need for deeper cleaning. In contrast, pads work best on smoother surfaces for all your polishing needs. When in doubt, reach out.

Want to learn more about how to use a commercial floor scrubber? Our blog has tons of resources on everything from floor scrubber troubleshooting to what is a walk behind scrubber in the first place. Here are some popular topics you may be interested in:

• How long does a floor scrubber last
• How much does a floor scrubber cost
• What are sweepers and scrubbers used for
• Is scrubbing the floor better than mopping
• How long floor sweeper batteries last

But whether you’re looking for the best floor scrubber to enhance your cleaning productivity and results or you just need new brushes and/or pads, remember that we’re your trusted choice for all the essentials. 

Maximize your floor scrubber’s potential by equipping it with the best brushes and pads today!