PADS
13 May
Marble, News Blog

Floor pads vs brushes

New to floor cleaning? Confused about what type of pad or brush you should use? Read on:

Using floor machines during your floor maintenance procedures will make the job easier and less time-consuming.

Often, customers feel that they are just not getting the cleaning performance that they are looking for and it’s often not the machine it’s the type of brushes or pads that they may be using.

Choosing the correct pads or brushes for their floor surface is critical in achieving the cleaning performance that they’re looking for.

PADS – Usually in the commercial industry, finished floors tend to be smooth surfaces such as VCT tile or marble tiles where you will be dealing with spills and stains and maybe light dusts. For these types of floors, pads will do a much better clean as they have a larger surface area than a brush. If the floor surface has a finish or a coating applied to it, this makes the clean even easier as any dirt or residue is contained to the surface and not absorbed into any pores in the floors surface.

Pads come in a variety of colours and coarseness.

White is the softest followed by the red which is usually the most common pad for general cleaning.

Blue and green are next and these tend to be used to scrub heavier soils and marks. Green being slightly more abrasive and shouldn’t be used on polished floors unless the aim is to knock back the polish before re-coating. If you were looking to strip back polish, then the black pad will be the one for you. This is best used on a slow speed scrubbing machine.

Before using your pads, it is very important to check them over to make sure they are not loaded up with dirt or other debris which may damage your floor.

Pads can be flipped over so both sides can be used. They are also relatively inexpensive to replace so it is worth replacing them rather than trying to use them when they are worn or too dirty.

BRUSHES – Brushes are similar to pads in the way they come in a whole range of choices from the type of bristle to the thickness of the bristle. Generally bushes are used on industrial floors such as concrete where a more aggressive clean is required however they can also be used on most types of flooring, old and new.

There are advantages to using a brush rather than a pad.

Brushes will allow for a more continuous use as you are not having to stop to change pads and also if maintained well, they will be more cost effective over pads.

A manufacturer such as Tennant will typically supply a brush for every need offering a soft white nylon brush, a black polypropylene brush and then a grey, super abrasive grit brush.

The soft nylon brush is a good choice if the operator is concerned about damaging any expensive flooring.

The black Polypropylene brushes are perfect for cleaning up larger pieces of debris due to their flexibility and sweep capacity.

The polypropylene bristles are less abrasive on floors than steel brushes but are still incredibly effective in the extraction of debris and dust.

The abrasive grit brushes are usually reserved for the roughest of floor types or floors with lots of grout. These brushes are extremely durable and because of their construction, they are more expensive.

CYLINDRICAL BRUSHES – There are some machines which will hold cylindrical brushes, and like the disc brushes there are different types of bristles depending on your floor finish. Cylindrical brushes are designed to sweep and scrub at the same time.

They tend to have two brushes underneath the machine spinning at a high rpm and with a catch tray underneath, any small debris can be caught underneath so if you didn’t pre sweep or are trying to save on labour this is where the cylindrical brushes can be of an advantage as you are sweeping and scrubbing at the same time.

If you are in any doubt over what pad or brush is best for you, give our team a call on 01903 755128 and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.

5 main types of industrial cleaning equipment
05 Oct
News Blog, Resin

5 Main Types of Industrial Cleaning Equipment

Need cleaning equipment for your business but don’t know what to get? Over the last 25 years we’ve found these machines to be the most popular and effective to use for your business. Below we summarise each cleaning machine and discuss why these machines are so popular!

STEAM CLEANER

A steam cleaner provides a deep clean, removing dirt and stains whilst also killing mould and germs on multiple surfaces achieving a hygienic finish. This is achieved from very high-temperature water vapour in the form of steam. A steam cleaner can be hazardous due to high temperatures. Steam dries quickly due to the high temperatures which help prevent potential slipping hazards. Powerful steam cleaners are a great tool for cleaning a wide variety of applications, especially where grease and bacteria are a problem, such as kitchens, care homes, hospitals and more.

SCRUBBER DRYER


Scrubber dryers are an automatic way of washing and drying a floor. There are a wide variety of different types and sizes, from small battery models to large ride-on diesel engine models. Different pads and brushes can be fitted to the machines to achieve the desired finish on a range of different floor types. Keeping the clean and dirty water separate in 2 different tanks, ensures the highest levels of hygiene over conventional methods such as a mop and bucket.

BATTERY-POWERED SWEEPER

A sweeper quietly sweeps and collects debris and dust along the floor to leave a polished finish. This is achieved by spinning brushes, with pressure, not water, against the surface to efficiently sweep off dirt and debris. There is a range of different sweepers available such as indoor and outdoor types, from push-along to ride on.

 CARPET CLEANER

A carpet cleaner quickly removes stains, dirt, and allergens from deep within the carpet. This is achieved by injecting water and solution with pressure into the carpet whilst on some models also scrubbing with brushes to loosen the stains/dirt. The carpet cleaner finishes with a vacuum sucking up and removing all the dirt and stains, leaving it almost completely dry.

PRESSURE WASHER

The pressure washer produces a high-pressure spray of water to effectively and quickly remove mould, dirt, dust, mud, and loosen stains and paints. It is a very common appliance within industries and at home. It consists of different nozzles to determine how wide and how much pressure you need to clean your target. 

CONCLUSION

If you are looking for a machine that deep cleans on multiple surfaces, dries quick and is able to handle equipment that contains high temperatures – the steam cleaner is for you.

If you are looking for an efficient mop and vacuum as one – the scrubber dryer may be the best fit.

If you are looking for a quiet machine that sweeps and collects dirt and dust, leaving a polished finish – the battery-powered sweeper may suit you.

If you are looking for a specific deep cleaner for your carpet – the carpet cleaner may be what you’re looking for.

If you are looking for a high-powered spray to remove dirt, paint or gum off different surfaces – a pressure washer may be best.

Most of these machines are found in all shapes and sizes to fit your individual needs.

Have a browse through our selection of these machines on our website https://cleaningequipmentservices.uk/

scrubber dryer vs sweeper
04 Aug
News Blog, Rubber

Scrubber Dryer vs. Sweeper

Sweepers and scrubber dryers are both floor cleaners, however, they operate differently. Understanding the differences is important to ensure you are purchasing or hiring the correct product that suits your needs.

Scrubber Dryer

A scrubber dryer (also known as floor scrubber) scrubs dirt off the floor and dries it. The size of these machines range from the equivalent of an upright vacuum to a ride on. A floor scrubber contains at least one scrubbing brush that rotates in an efficient form against the floor surface. Its function is to detach the dirt away from the floor by the help of solution and as it vacuums the dirt up at the same time leaving a clean and dry result.

PROS:

Scrubber dryers are more hygienic and efficient than manual floor cleaning equipment. In some scenarios manual equipment is best, however, in big industrial places, scrubber dryers may be the better option. A traditional mop and bucket can spread dirt and pathogens across the floor instead of cleaning it up since the mop is continuously being soaked in dirty water when in use, leaving a wet floor causing a hazard. On the other hand, within a much faster time, the scrubber dryer can soak, remove dirt, and dry the floor all at the same time.

There are a range of hard floors where this machine ranks best. One of the most distinctive reasons is where there is a need to leave a dry finish. These results save injuries, hazards, and boost safety within the work environment. In some situations, a wet floor cannot be used until dried, affecting valuable time. A scrubber dryer can be used as a great sidekick to dry up wet floors such as industries where the walls and machines need to be cleaned by pressure washers, creating a hazardous wet floor.

Many advanced scrubber dryers are eco-friendly. Due to the advancement of scrubber dryers, the amount of water and chemicals are being controlled and monitored by the operator. This increases awareness of how intense or light cleaning is required. An operator can provide how much solution and water is needed instead of using the same old cleaning solution on almost every occasion.  This influences the lack of waste and results in a healthier environment.

CON:

A scrubber dryer is prone to streak when the floor isn’t swept. This is due to debris under the squeegee blades and blockages with the squeegee. Examples of blockage can be due to dust and hair attaching to it. If this occurs, wipe the squeegee blade with a rag. Equipment that may be more appropriate to clear a pathway is a floor sweeper.

Sweeper

Sweeper machines vary from small manual push along sweepers to big ride on sweepers. These depend on the floor type and sizes of area to be cleaned. The sweepers’ function is to sweep and collect debris and dust. This is often performed before using the scrubber dryer to prevent any blockage and damage in that machine. The machine works with one or two brushes rotating to sweep up the dirt into a subsequent disposal tank.

PROS:

Sweepers can be used indoors or outdoors and thrive working in difficult weather such as rain or icy temperatures. These vary depending on the machine.

Sweepers are often quiet machines, especially the manual and battery powered models. Being quiet is greatly beneficial in environments such as hospitals, care homes, and universities.

Sweepers prevent hazards such as tripping, slipping, or falling.

CON:

The battery powered sweeper may be limited if it needs to be charged. This limits the area that can be cleaned within its battery.

Overall, if you’re interested in a machine that just sweeps and collects dust and dirt efficiently, a sweeper is for you. However, if you’re looking for a machine that provides a thorough clean and dry floor, a scrubber dryer would be recommended. 

Check out the selection of sweepers and scrubber dryers we have available to hire here https://cleaningequipmentservices.uk/hire/