Mops and buckets are great for cleaning up the occasional coffee spill. But when it comes to cleaning all the floors in a large commercial building — especially on a regular basis, nothing beats an industrial floor scrubber. Floor scrubbers are easy to operate and quickly help hospitals, manufacturers, schools and warehouses maintain a sanitary and safe environment that complies with regulatory requirements.
Whether you choose a walk-behind or a ride-on model, renting one of these helpful machines can save you time and increase productivity. No one wants grimy or damaged floors. So, you need to know how to operate a floor scrubber machine safely and efficiently to achieve the best results.
In this article, you’ll get a basic introduction to the best practices for how to use a floor scrubber.
When to Use a Floor Scrubber
Mops and buckets are time-consuming to use and can often leave behind residue and wet floors that present as a safety hazard. For large or high-traffic areas, this is simply unacceptable. Businesses can’t stop and wait for the floors to be recleaned. You need a solution that can wash, clean and dry the floor in a single pass. You need a commercial floor scrubber.
Whether you choose a walk-behind scrubber, a ride-on scrubber, or an auto scrubber each type is designed to easily remove grime, grease, dirt and more from hard floors. Their powered cleaning pads, brushes and squeegees allow you to clean large areas quicker and more effectively than a mop and bucket.
When to Rent a Floor Scrubber
If you need to regularly use one type of scrubber over the course of many months or years, then purchasing might be the more cost-effective solution.
However, in most cases renting a floor scrubber will give you the flexibility you need to have the right equipment right when you need it.
For example, if you only need a floor scrubber for a short period of time, such as during winter when guests track in salt and slush, renting will be more cost-effective than buying. Renting also frees you from the hassle of equipment transportation and ongoing maintenance and repairs. The equipment rental provider will take care of that for you.
Once your floor scrubber is on site, you will also need to ensure that all operators know how to use it effectively. Ask your rental provider for operator training that’s specific to the model you’ve chosen or read on to learn the basics of how to use a floor scrubber.
How to Use a Floor Scrubber
Walk-behind scrubbers and ride-on scrubbers work by releasing a cleaning solution from the intake tank onto the floor, scrubbing the floor with pads or brushes and then vacuuming up the dirt and grime into a recovery tank. To ensure everyone’s safety and get the best results, follow these key steps for how to operate a floor scrubber.
1. Prepare the Area and Wear Safety Gear
For a safe and successful clean, you need to prepare the area and gear up.
- Clear objects out of the way. Move furniture, rugs, plants and other objects out of the path of the scrubber.
- Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and debris. Floor scrubbers are designed to wash grease and grime off hard floors, not sweep up lots of dirt and debris. Rent a floor sweeper to clean up loose debris that could damage the scrubber or cause injury to those nearby.
- Set up wet floor signs. Set up signs to keep others out of the area while the floor is wet. This keeps them from slipping and falling. It also keeps them from adding debris that could damage the scrubber.
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Gloves, eye protection, noise protection and respiratory protection keeps you safe when handling harsh chemicals in noisy buildings.
- Charge the scrubber’s battery. Make sure the battery is fully charged, so you don’t get stuck midway through the clean.
- Review chemical disposal rules. While some chemicals can be disposed of through the public sewer system, others cannot. Review the manual, decontamination rules and environmental regulations. Ensure you know how to properly handle and dispose of cleaning solutions and any chemicals you’re cleaning up.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the Scrubber and Pads
There are three main types of floor scrubbers:
- Walk-Behind Scrubbers: Walk-behind models are designed for hallways and more narrow spaces where maneuverability is important. They have a smaller cleaning radius than ride-on scrubbers. Learning how to operate a walk-behind floor scrubber is often easier than a ride-on scrubber.
- Ride-On Scrubbers: Ride-on models are best for large-scale cleaning like warehouse floors or airport terminals where efficiency is crucial. Ride-on scrubbers save operators from having to stand or walk for long periods of time. However, they may take more training and time to learn.
- Auto Scrubbers: Auto scrubbers can clean floors on their own without a human operator.
Review the manual of your specific commercial floor scrubber. It will have instructions for use, safety guidelines, and how to properly prepare the area to be cleaned.
Also familiarize yourself with the scrubbing pads and make sure you’re using the right ones. Soft pads are best for delicate floors, while brushes or rougher pads are better for hard-to-clean dirt and grime.
3. Fill the Solution Tank
The solution tank is also known as the intake tank. Based on the manufacturer’s instructions, fill the tank with water and then the detergent. Adding water first or using low-foaming detergent will minimize foam.
Using the wrong cleaning solution or the wrong proportions of water to solution can result in excessive foam, noxious fumes (if you’re cleaning up chemicals) or damage to floors. Too much foam can also clog the vacuum motor or leave residue on the floors.
4. Set Up the Floor Scrubber
Before turning on the floor scrubber, make sure all attachments and settings are ready to go.
- Attach the pads. Attach the correct pads depending on what kind of surface you are cleaning and what type of cleaning you are doing. Painted or wood floors need softer pads than concrete. Deep cleans across grout or stripping wax may require harder pads.
- Attach the squeegee blade. Start by attaching the squeegee to the suction tube first and then the yoke.
- Adjust the settings. Check the user manual and select the best speed, water and vacuum settings for the type of floor and cleaning you will be doing.
5. Operate the Scrubber
You’re ready to start the scrubbing process.
- Lower the squeegee blade and power on the machine.
- Clean from the outside in. Start the scrubber near the wall sodirt is pushed toward the middle of the floor. Then make your way around the edge and closer to the middle with each pass.
- Go slow. Avoid fast and tight turns so the squeegee and vacuum have time to remove the dirty water and chemicals.
- Double scrub as needed. For particularly dirty floors, you can perform a double scrub. Go over the floor once WITHOUT the squeegee and vacuum engaged. Then on the second pass, engage them to remove the chemicals from the floor.
6. Empty and Clean the Tanks
Depending on the size of the floor, you may need to empty and refill the intake and recovery tanks while cleaning. You will need to know how to clean a floor scrubber when you’re done using it. Empty both tanks when you are finished. The tanks should then be rinsed and left open to dry. If tanks are not clean and dry, bacteria and mold can grow, creating a smelly mess.
7. Remove Accessories and Store the Scrubber
After taking care of the tanks, remove and clean the squeegee blade and pad. Allow both to dry completely.
Finally, store the scrubber and charge the batteries so that the machine can be used again next time it is needed.
4 Tips for a Safe and Successful Clean
In addition to the steps above, be sure to keep the following tips in mind when using a floor scrubber. These reminders will help you ensure a safe and successful clean.
1. Stay safe with the right equipment.
- Use appropriate hearing and eye protection.
- Wear comfortable shoes, especially for walk-behind scrubbers. A 10,000 square foot floor can mean walking two miles!
- Wear respiratory protection based on chemicals being used and cleaned.
- Wear gloves when handling chemicals.
2. When selecting a scrub pad consider:
- The type of floor — Is it painted? Is it concrete or wood?
- The type of cleaning — Are there dangerous chemicals to remove? Is there a lot of grime or wax to strip?
3. Move the scrubber slowly, smoothly and from the outside in.
4. Manage and minimize the amount of foam. Add water before detergents and/or use a low-foaming detergent.
Make Floors Sparkle with Scrubbers from Herc Rentals
Great looking floors are also safe floors, free from dirt, grease and grime. When your floors need quicker, more effective cleaning than a mop and bucket, call on the equipment experts at Herc Rentals.
Herc Rentals is your one-stop headquarters for high-performing industrial floor scrubbers that increase productivity and reduce operating costs. Our walk-behind and ride-on models have advanced features, such as water recovery systems to minimize streaking, built-in debris trays to prevent clogs, and speed controls for safer, more efficient maneuvering.
Explore our wide selection commercial floor scrubbers or call a Herc Rentals expert at 888-777-2700 to find the right solutions for your floors.
