How to Use a Floor Scrubber Machine

A floor scrubber is one of the best investments you can make in maintaining your commercial building. These are capable of supercharging your floor cleaning process while achieving a superior clean. 

But even if you invest in the best commercial floor scrubber machines here at SweepScrub, actually understanding how to operate a floor scrubber can make or break your results. The last thing you want is to do more harm than good, after all.

Don’t worry, this guide on how to use a floor scrubber machine will leave you feeling confident and capable of making the most of this investment. 

From choosing the right machine to applying detergent, techniques for peak productivity, and proper storage, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to use a commercial floor scrubber below!

Why Learn How to Use a Commercial Floor Scrubber?

First things first - what is a walk behind scrubber or ride-on scrubber good for? Here’s why taking the time to learn how to operate a floor scrubber is well worth it:

• Enhanced Cleaning Efficiency: Cleans large areas quickly and effectively, scrubbing, washing, and drying floors in a single pass. Reduces time and effort, allowing staff to focus on other tasks.
• Superior Cleaning Results: Why is scrubbing the floor better than mopping? It provides a deeper clean, removing dirt, grime, and stains effortlessly. Essential for maintaining hygiene in hospitals, schools, and restaurants.
• Prolonged Floor Lifespan: Prevents buildup of abrasive dirt and debris, extending the life of flooring. Reduces the need for frequent repairs or replacements, saving money.
• Cost Savings: Also lowers labor costs due to increased efficiency. Maintains floor condition, reducing the need for expensive restorative cleaning or replacement.
• Improved Safety: Reduces the risk of slips and falls with its drying function, making floors immediately safe to walk on. It offers peace of mind protecting you against liability.
• Professional Appearance: Enhances the overall look of commercial spaces, leaving a positive impression on customers and visitors. Contributes to a professional and welcoming environment.

Whether it’s factory floor cleaning or cleaning rubber gym floor, a scrubber saves you time while enhancing results. That being said, it’s important that you’re setting yourself up for success with the right equipment before you learn how to use a floor scrubber.

Choosing the Right Floor Scrubber Machine

The optimal solution for expansive warehouses with concrete flooring will differ greatly from what we’d recommend to someone cleaning the tight spaces of a commercial tile kitchen floor.

So, here’s what you need to consider to ensure you’re choosing the optimal machine for your operation’s unique needs:

Types of Floor Scrubbers

There are two main types of scrubbers you’ll have access to - walk-behind units and ride-on units. Each has its place:

• Walk-Behind Scrubbers: Ideal for medium to large areas. They’re easy to maneuver and provide excellent cleaning power. They are perfect for spaces like retail stores, schools, warehouses, and kitchens/restaurants.
• Ride-On Scrubbers: Best suited for large facilities such as airports, shopping malls, and industrial sites. These offer high productivity and comfort for the operator, covering extensive areas quickly.

Just because you can afford a more sophisticated ride-on solution, doesn’t mean it’s right for you. Think carefully about the setting in which you’ll use the machine and determine if the maneuverability of a walk-behind model will outperform the efficiency of a ride-on model.

Assessing Your Needs

The specific area you intend to clean will play a role in your decision, too:

• Floor Type: Different scrubbers are designed for various surfaces such as tile, concrete, vinyl, and carpet. Ensure the scrubber you choose is compatible with your floor type. This is where understanding the material of the pads being used is important.
• Level of Dirt and Grime: Heavily soiled areas might require a more powerful scrubber with higher brush pressure and stronger cleaning solutions.
• Cleaning Path: A wider cleaning path will help you get through the building faster, but may become clunky if you’re trying to navigate tighter spaces. Less is more in some cases.
• Adjustable Pressure Settings: This allows you to customize the cleaning intensity based on the level of dirt and the type of flooring.
• Water and Solution Tanks: Larger tanks reduce the frequency of refills which improves efficiency. Look for scrubbers with easy-to-fill and easy-to-clean tanks.
• Battery Life: Ensure the battery life is sufficient for your cleaning sessions. Longer battery life means fewer interruptions for recharging but will come at a cost. You should also consider the battery technology as this will influence the cost of replacement down the road.
• Ease of Use: Features like intuitive dashboards, comfortable handles, and easy maneuverability enhance the operator’s experience.
• Maintenance: Machines with accessible components and straightforward cleaning processes will save you time and effort in the long run.
• Build Quality: Invest in a scrubber made from high-quality materials that can withstand the demands of commercial cleaning. Durable construction ensures longevity and reliability.
• Service and Support: Choose a brand that stands behind its machines. Access to replacement parts, technical assistance, and warranty coverage are all essential for maintaining your machine. Here at SweepScrub, we’ll serve as your point of contact for all maintenance, repairs, and warranty concerns, so you don’t need to worry about this.

Cost and Budgeting Tips

While high-quality scrubbers may have a higher initial cost, they often provide better performance and durability, leading to cost savings over time. You get what you pay for.

Consider the long-term operating costs, including maintenance, parts replacement, and energy consumption. Efficient machines can reduce these ongoing expenses.

Don’t stress too much about financing, as many suppliers offer financing options so you can invest in a high-quality machine without straining your budget. Speaking of which…

No Matter Your Needs, You Can Trust SweepScrub for the Best Floor Scrubber Machines!

Whether you’re looking for a commercial walk behind floor scrubber for smaller spaces or an industrial ride on floor scrubber for sale to make quick work of sprawling square footage, SweepScrub has you covered. 

We’ve curated a selection of the best machines from the most trusted brands in the industry, ranging from Tennant to Nilfisk, Advance, Clarke, and more. If it’s in our catalog, you can rest assured you’re getting a quality machine that will offer consistent performance for years to come.

You can also trust us to provide a personalized recommendation based on your unique needs and your specific budget. Don’t play the guessing game - get in touch today for one-on-one assistance. In the meantime, let’s get into how to use a commercial floor scrubber below.

How to Use a Floor Scrubber Machine: Step-by-Step Guide

Now, it’s time we walked you through how to operate a floor scrubber so you can make the most of this investment in your cleaning productivity and performance. From essential safety gear to best practices on technique, storage, and more, here’s how to use a floor scrubber machine.

Safety First!

Always read the manufacturer's manual to understand the machine's features, operational guidelines, and safety instructions. This way you can avoid harming the machine itself or your building’s flooring.

Wearing appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety goggles, and non-slip shoes is also essential to prevent accidents during the cleaning process. We even suggest you have this gear on when simply handling detergents to avoid chemicals coming into contact with your skin.

Clean Up Loose Debris and Dirt From the Floor

While your scrubber can do most of the heavy lifting, cleaning the floor with a sweeper or vacuum to remove loose debris, dirt, and large particles is a good starting point. 

It will prevent these materials from clogging the machine or scratching the floor surface during scrubbing. Ensuring a debris-free floor sets the stage for more efficient and effective cleaning.

If you want to streamline this process, consider investing in a commercial floor sweeper like those available here at SweepScrub. We have commercial walk behind floor sweepers and industrial ride-on floor sweepers, along with floor sweeper scrubbers that can sweep and scrub with a single investment!

Fill Up Your Machine With Water and the Proper Detergent Solution

Next, fill the scrubber's tanks with water and the appropriate detergent solution. Ensure the detergent is suitable for your floor type and compatible with the scrubber machine. We sell many of these solutions here at SweepScrub, so get in touch for a recommendation.

Whichever approach you end up going with, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct water-to-detergent ratio to avoid damaging the floors or the machine. Proper dilution achieves optimal cleaning results without causing harm or wasting valuable product.

Make Sure You Have the Right Pads Attached Securely

Pads vary in abrasiveness and are often color-coded for specific uses, making it easy to pick the perfect ones for your specific flooring. This will scrub the floor effectively without damaging it.

Securely attach the pads to the scrubber to ensure they do not come off during operation. You should hear a snap once it’s in place. Otherwise, the pads may not actually come into contact with the floor during operation.

Begin in the Furthest Corner From the Door and Work Your Way Back

You need to map out your cleaning path to avoid stepping on freshly cleaned areas or wasting your time overlapping in places you’ve already cleaned.

Our advice for peak productivity is to start in the furthest corner from the door and work your way back. This ensures you cover the entire area efficiently without retracing your steps. It also prevents you from having to walk across the freshly cleaned floor to exit the building.

Turn On Your Machine and Let it Do the Heavy Lifting!

With the machine set up and your cleaning path planned, turn on the scrubber and start to configure it for use. Adjust the settings to match the floor type and level of dirt. 

Make sure the pads are rotating and in contact with the floor, and also make sure that you have the squeegee down on your machine so that you’re not leaving excess moisture behind.

Actually learning how to use a floor scrubber machine is simple. Let the machine do the heavy lifting as you guide it steadily over the floor. Maintaining a consistent pace ensures effective cleaning without leaving streaks or missed spots.

We also recommend doing slight overlaps on each pass so that you don’t miss any spots. Throughout the process, you need to continuously check your detergent and recovery tanks. Don’t let the recovery tank overflow as this could create a mess. Similarly, don’t let the detergent tank run dry or you’ll find the results lackluster.

Dealing With Detergent Foaming

Excess detergent foaming can hinder the performance of your floor scrubber. Unfortunately, this is quite common - and can have serious implications. It could overflow into your machine’s vacuum motor and create chaos. The good news is it can be easily avoided! 

Most of the time it’s the result of putting in detergent before filling the tank with water. Simply take the opposite approach and put detergent in second. You may not need to do anything else, but if this doesn’t solve the issue, consider adding an anti-foaming agent.

Emptying Tanks and Cleaning the Machine When You’re Done

Once you’ve finished cleaning, drain the dirty water tank and rinse it thoroughly to prevent the buildup of residues and odors. Rinse the detergent tank as well to avoid creating a film inside.

Clean the pads and brushes to remove any accumulated dirt, ensuring they are ready for the next use. Regular maintenance of these components keeps the machine in optimal condition and you’ll be ready to get right back to work for the next cleaning task!

Storage Recommendations for Longevity

The final piece of advice we have on how to use a floor scrubber machine is to make sure you’re storing it per your manufacturer’s instructions. 

A clean, dry storage area will help avoid damage from moisture or extreme temperatures. The machine needs to be out of sight and out of mind in certain use cases as well.

Of course, regular maintenance is necessary as well to keep the machine working its best for the long haul. Every few uses you may want to lubricate moving parts, check battery levels, and inspect electrical components to ensure the scrubber remains efficient and reliable.

Final Thoughts on How to Operate a Floor Scrubber Machine

There you have it - how to operate a floor scrubber. Mastering the use of your machine will help you make the most of this investment, maintaining impeccable conditions in your building for years to come. All the while you’ll enjoy peak productivity and all the cost savings that come with it.

We hope this guide has left you feeling clear and confident in how to use your equipment, but if not, remember you can get in touch with us after purchasing your machine for guidance. Our blog has more specific insights on how to use a commercial floor scrubber as well.

Learn how to clean a warehouse floor, how to clean commercial tile floors, how to clean commercial kitchen floor, how to clean concrete floors, using floor scrubber on a gym floor, and more. We also have tips on floor scrubber troubleshooting and floor scrubber life expectancy.

But whether you’re looking for a gym floor scrubber, a commercial floor sweeper machine, or even a floor sweeper scrubber, remember that the top-tier equipment you deserve is a click or call away at SweepScrub.

So, take the first step towards supercharging efficiency in your cleaning processes today. Shop our catalog or reach out for a personalized recommendation and work smarter, not harder!