Floor cleaning machines, like the Exclusive RapidClean IPC machines – Backed by Tennant) can make it incredibly easy and efficient to keep your facilities clean, inviting and most of all, safe.
Scrubber/Dryer Machines are far superior to traditional mop-and-bucket cleaning that, really is just moving dirt around and physically strains workers.
Walk-behind and ride-on floor Scrubber/Dryers are much easier and more efficient than ever before, and factor in the next-generation robotic floor scrubbers and commercial floor cleaning is being taken to an entirely new level.
But that doesn’t mean you can start floor cleaning equipment with no prep work.
One of the biggest keys to maximising efficiency and performance in your floor cleaning program is to make sure your area is correctly prepared before you start scrubbing your floors.
The following tips are simple best practices before using an automatic floor scrubbing machine:
Mats & Equipment
Mats are the first thing your visitors see when they come through your entryway. They also help keep floors cleaner by catching the dust, dirt and debris tracked in from outside.
Roll up and remove all mats before cleaning your floors with your Scrubber/Dryer machine.
Most automatic floor scrubbers are designed to work on hard floor surfaces, not carpet or rubber mats. If your automatic scrubber meets the edges of a mat, it could potentially damage the machine.
Keep mats clean by removing them before scrubbing and washing them if necessary.
Pre-Sweep Floors
It’s obvious when large debris piles up on floors, but unseen dirt and dust can also be on the floor, so it’s a best practice to pre-sweep the cleaning path.
Problems can emerge from scrubbing a dirty, dusty floor. The solution from the scrubber can interact with dirt—turning it into mud that gets spread around the floors. Then, the muddy floors must be re-scrubbed. Small rocks, pebbles and other debris could be ground into the floor, damaging the floor’s finish.
Debris can also be hard on your floor cleaning machines, causing premature wear and tear.
Get Rid of Sticky Substances
Look out for any sticky substances like chewing gum or dried food on the floor surface. These substances should be scraped off before using the automatic floor scrubber.
While modern Scrubber/Dryers are powerful, they aren’t built to remove absolutely everything from your floors. Sticky residues may remain on your floors or get spread around, which can cause streaking from the squeegee.
Remove Obstacles from the Cleaning Path
Anything that can inhibit cleaning should be removed from the cleaning path. This includes obstacles like displays, shelves and furniture.
If you want to clean the entire floor, you also need to clean efficiently and having obstacles in your path will slow down the process.
Display Signage on Wet Floors
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Slip-and-fall incidents are a top cause of workplace injury, so extra caution is needed to ensure that people are aware of potentially wet floors immediately following floor scrubbing.
Display warning, caution or wet floor signs prominently near your working area to ensure anyone who encounters the floors—employees, customers and visitors—knows to tread carefully when floor cleaning is in progress or immediately after cleaning.
Preparation is Key
Taking a little extra time to prepare the floors before using your automatic scrubbing machine should be a routine best practice. If you follow these simple practices, you can protect and keep your floors shining longer while maximising the life of your cleaning equipment.
Reach out to your local RapidClean member if you have any questions or would like more advice on the RapidClean range of floor-cleaning equipment.
