What Are Sweepers and Scrubbers Used For?

Of all the ways you can clean expansive commercial spaces, nothing beats the efficiency and performance sweepers and scrubbers have to offer. They save you time, in turn saving you money. They also raise the bar for your standards of cleanliness.

However, these are two very different machines. So, what are sweepers and scrubbers used for, and which is right for you? Or, is there a chance your facility needs both? We’re here to help you find out.

A commercial floor sweeper machine is designed to clean up dry debris like dirt, dust, and trash in as little time as possible. On the other hand, a commercial floor scrubber machine addresses stains and spills with the help of a cleaning solution that sanitizes the floor and leaves it sparkling.

They serve different purposes, but many businesses do need the capabilities each has to offer. In these cases, floor sweeper scrubber machines are a godsend - essentially offering you two machines in one!

Learn more about the different commercial cleaning solutions you have at your disposal below, or get in touch with us here at SweepScrub today for a personalized recommendation. We stock all the different types of machines from the most trusted brands in the industry to help you elevate your cleaning regimen!

What Are Sweepers and Scrubbers Used For?

So, what are sweepers and scrubbers used for? Let’s get into the most common use cases for each to help you determine which aligns with your specific needs.

What Are Sweepers Used For?

As we briefly touched on earlier, sweepers are designed primarily to remove loose dirt, dust, and debris from floor surfaces. They are particularly effective in environments where large quantities of dry debris accumulate, such as warehouses, parking lots, and sidewalks. 

Sweepers use rotating brushes to lift dirt and debris into a collection bin, making the process faster and more efficient than manual sweeping. Here are some of the most common use cases:

• Warehouses and Distribution Centers: Sweepers are ideal for maintaining clean floors in large storage areas where dirt and debris can quickly accumulate from constant foot and vehicle traffic. Speaking of which, you can learn more about how to clean a warehouse floor in our blog if this is what brought you here today.
• Parking Lots and Outdoor Spaces: Outdoor sweepers effectively clean large expanses, removing leaves, trash, and dirt, keeping the area presentable and safe.
• Manufacturing Facilities: In industrial settings, sweepers help control dust and debris to maintain safe working conditions and prevent damage to machinery. We also have a great resource on factory floor cleaning in our blog.

What Are Scrubbers Used For?

Scrubbers, on the other hand, are designed for deep cleaning hard floor surfaces. They use water, cleaning solutions, and scrubbing brushes to remove grime, stains, and bacteria from floors. 

After scrubbing, they vacuum up the dirty water, leaving the floor clean and dry. This is why scrubbing the floor is better than mopping - it doesn’t leave any trace of a mess behind. 

Scrubbers are essential in areas where hygiene is a top priority, such as healthcare facilities, kitchens, and restrooms. Here is a brief overview of where they shine the most:

• Healthcare Facilities: Scrubbers keep hospital floors sanitized and free from harmful bacteria, reducing the risk of infection.
• Commercial Kitchens and Food Processing Plants: The standards are brought up a notch anytime you’re dealing with food safety. Regular use of scrubbers helps prevent food contamination and keeps your operation compliant.
• Public Restrooms and High-Traffic Areas: Scrubbers remove stubborn stains and grime, ensuring these areas are clean, safe, and welcoming, free from bodily fluids, spilled drinks, or anything in between.
• Fitness Facilities: You may be wondering…can you use a floor scrubber on a gym floor? As a matter of fact, this is the best way to clean many types of fitness facilities! We wrote a detailed guide on the role of gym floor scrubbers if you’d like to learn more. 

Does Your Business Need Both?

As you can see, the use cases for sweepers and scrubbers are vastly different - although they do share some common traits, like helping you work faster and maintain high cleaning standards.

So, do you need to have both in your cleaning arsenal? You certainly might. Sweepers are excellent for initial cleaning, quickly removing loose debris that could impede the effectiveness of scrubbing. Following up with a scrubber ensures that any remaining dirt, stains, and bacteria are thoroughly cleaned, leaving the floor spotless and sanitized.

However, this is not the most cost-effective approach to cleaning - as high-quality sweepers and scrubbers are expensive. That’s why you may be better off investing in a sweeper scrubber machine.

These have the capabilities of a sweeper and a scrubber intertwined in a single piece of equipment. Not only does this save you money on the upfront cost, but it also simplifies your equipment storage and your cleaning workflow.

All that being said, there’s no way to know for sure whether you need a sweeper, a scrubber, or both without knowledge of your specific cleaning needs. So, here are some things to consider:

• Facility Size and Type: Large facilities with diverse flooring types and high foot traffic may benefit from both machines to ensure comprehensive cleaning.
• Cleaning Frequency: Businesses needing frequent cleaning, such as healthcare facilities and food processing plants, often need both sweepers and scrubbers to maintain high standards of hygiene.
• Specific Cleaning Challenges: Facilities dealing with specific cleaning challenges, such as heavy debris in warehouses or stringent hygiene requirements in hospitals, will find the combination of sweepers and scrubbers particularly effective.

How to Choose the Right Cleaning Equipment

Still not sure whether you need one, the other, or both? Remember, our customer service team is on standby ready to answer any questions you may have, and we can even help you find the right brand and model for your unique needs! 

In the meantime, we’ll offer some tips on choosing your equipment below.

Walk-behind vs Ride-on Models

Here at SweepScrub, you can find a walk behind floor sweeper machine for sale or industrial ride-on sweeper for sale, or you can get a commercial walk behind floor scrubber or industrial ride on scrubber for sale. Which style is right for you, though?

Walk-behind sweepers and scrubbers are typically more compact and maneuverable, making them ideal for smaller areas and spaces with obstacles. They are generally easier to store and can be more cost-effective for smaller facilities, retail stores, and areas with tight spaces or narrow aisles.

On the other hand, ride-on models cover larger areas in less time, making them highly efficient for large facilities. They reduce operator fatigue as the user can sit while operating the machine, which is beneficial for extended cleaning sessions.

Ride-on models are our recommendation for large warehouses, shopping malls, and expansive industrial spaces where speed and coverage are the priority.

While it sounds great to be able to sit down while you work, you’ll need to determine whether you can actually justify the investment or not as these tend to cost more than their walk-behind counterparts. 

Considering Cleaning Path

The width of the cleaning path directly affects the efficiency of the cleaning process. A wider path means fewer passes are needed to cover a large area, thus saving time.

However, bigger isn’t always better. For smaller or cluttered spaces, narrower cleaning paths may be more practical to navigate around obstacles. 

This just goes to show that considering your specific cleaning needs before you start shopping for a machine is so important. It’s far too common that we see individuals fall in love with a feature they don’t need!

Brush Types

There are many different types of brushes, and the ideal pick will depend on the type of floor you’re cleaning and the messes you encounter. Here are two of the most common:

• Cylindrical Brushes: Ideal for sweeping and scrubbing hard floors like warehouses and industrial sites laden with debris. They’re more common in sweepers, but some scrubbers use these as well.
• Disk Brushes: Excellent for smooth surfaces and provide more surface contact for deep cleaning. They are commonly used in floor scrubbers and optimal for vinyl, polished stone, or commercial tile flooring where deep cleaning is essential.

Key Features

There are so many different features you’ll encounter as you start weighing your options. One of the most important is a dust control system, especially on sweepers. This captures fine particles to prevent them from being re-released into the environment, thereby maintaining air quality.

You should also assess the maintenance side of any machine you’re looking at. Features like self-cleaning filters and tool-free access to components can save time and reduce downtime.

Consider the battery life and efficiency as well. Longer battery life allows for extended cleaning sessions without the need for frequent recharging, which is essential for large facilities. 

Look into the type of battery the machine uses too, as this will influence its longevity and replacement cost. For more information, read our guide on floor scrubber life expectancy.

Cost Considerations

While high-quality sweepers and scrubbers may cost more upfront, they often offer better performance, durability, and lower maintenance costs over time. So don’t look at cost in isolation. Instead, evaluate the long-term savings in labor and maintenance when making your decision. 

If a machine cuts your cleaning time by 50%, just think about how much money it’s going to save you over the next 5-10 years! You should also consider the less tangible ROI in helping you maintain higher standards for cleanliness. 

These types of machines are worth every penny, but only when you get the right one for your unique needs. So, at this point, why not get in touch with our team at SweepScrub to find the perfect solution?  

Find Industry-Leading Sweepers, Scrubbers, and Even Sweeper Scrubbers in Our Catalog!

SweepScrub is your one-stop shop for all things commercial cleaning. With years of experience and a dedication to excellence, we understand the unique cleaning challenges businesses face and offer solutions tailored to meet those needs.

Our catalog features a diverse selection of sweepers, scrubbers, and sweeper scrubbers from industry-leading brands such as Nilfisk, Tennant, Karcher, IPC, and many more. These deliver superior performance, reliability, and efficiency, keeping your facility clean and safe.

You can also count on us for any parts you need along the way, or any assistance with troubleshooting. After all, it’s our customer service that keeps our customers coming back for more!

Whether you’re looking for the best industrial floor sweeper, scrubber, or a hybrid machine that does both, you can rest assured we’ve got something that aligns with your needs and budget. So what are you waiting for? Elevate your standards for cleaning today!

Final Thoughts on What Sweepers and Scrubbers Used For

So, what are sweepers and scrubbers used for? Sweepers efficiently remove loose dirt and debris, while scrubbers provide deep cleaning and sanitization. Using both machines can enhance overall cleanliness, reduce maintenance costs, and improve workplace safety. 

As we’ve explained, though, you don’t necessarily need both machines - you just need a machine that can handle both, which is why a sweeper scrubber is a great investment in your cleaning arsenal.

Our blog has additional resources on how to fix floor sweeper, floor sweeper vs vacuum cleaner, how to clean rubber gym floor, and many more. At this point, though, there’s only one thing left to do - get in touch for a personalized recommendation for your cleaning needs.

Trust SweepScrub to provide top-quality commercial cleaning equipment from the best brands in the industry. Shop with us today and invest in unparalleled efficiency and results!