The benefits of cleaning with a scrubbing machine

Floors that receive high traffic need to be cleaned regularly and the chore can be burdensome if executed using the traditional mop and bucket method. Mopping wastes a large amount of time, creates slip and fall hazards, is labour intensive and not cost effective in regards to a company’s cleaning budget. If you’re still using a mop and bucket to keep your premises clean it’s time you considered a better alternative – scrubber dryers.

A scrubber dryer is a sophisticated cleaning machine that provides effective, cost-efficient and safe cleaning for your floors. It is designed to perform two cleaning tasks simultaneously – scrubbing,using cleaning solution and rotating brush heads or sponge, and drying, using a vacuum and suction system that collects the dirty water into a tank.With one pass, the floors are thoroughly cleaned and dried immediately, making the scrubber dryer suitable for public and commercial facilities with heavy foot traffic such as malls or busy office areas where wet floors could cause safety issues and inconveniences.

Scrubbing machines come in two different models: the ride-on scrubber and the walk-behind scrubber. The ride-on series is large and powerful and equipped with a seat and a steering wheel to drive it, and is most suitable for cleaning large commercial spaces and retail environments like airports, warehouses and factories. For smaller spaces, walk-behind scrubbers work better as they are more compact and can reach tight areas. They are pushed from behind using special handles.

So what are the benefits of using scrubbing machines?

Health and Safety

Due to their inbuilt suction systems that enable instant drying of floors, scrubber dryers reduce the likelihood of slipping and falling accidents. Slips and falls can lead to injuries (temporary or permanent) which can eventually lead to loss of valuable staff and possibly expensive legal suits, which would all be ultimately detrimental to the business. Some falls can also cause damage to equipment, building structures and inventory, incurring extra costs for repairs and repurchases.

The repetitive and laborious movements required by manual floor mopping presents ergonomic hazards. Mopping involves asymmetric movement of both  hands, and studies have identified ergonomic risks related to extension, flexion, radial and ulnar deviation of wrists, forward and lateral flexion of trunk, and flexion and abduction of shoulders.According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) back strain is the most commonly reported injury in the cleaning industry, and as such, modern innovations such as scrubbing machines are recommended to decrease the risk of such hazards.

Floors cleaned professionally using scrubbing machines not only enhance the hygiene of the facility but also maintain a safe and healthy work environment which boosts employee confidence and productivity.

Hygiene and Sanitization

When using a mop and bucket the water is only clean on the first application. The water gets dirtier with every other subsequent application and instead of cleaning the floors, germs are spread around, making this technique ineffective in eliminating germs and dirt.

On the other hand, scrubber dryers use a constant flow of clean, sanitized water and regulate dirty water into separate tanks instead of returning it to the floor, making it a cleaner and more hygienic alternative. It’s powerful suction system captures up to 99% of allergens, pollen and particles keeping your floors as germ free as possible.This makes a scrubbing machine ideal for ensuring hygiene standards with respect to the Covid-19 protocols are adhered to.

Reduces Manual Labour

Pushing mops, wringing them out constantly, emptying the bucket and refilling it multiple times is inefficient and laborious. A scrubber dryer eliminates such tedious manual operations and long hours of labour by up to 75%,allowing workers to focus on other operations without spending too much time on one task. The machine cleans thousands of square feet in just an hour and the operator need not exert much effort to get the job done, reducing any physical and mental strain that would otherwise be experienced when using traditional cleaning methods.The floor scrubber is also easy to operate as you only have to select the settings you want, and with a mere push of a button, you are good to go.

Cost Savings

Traditional cleaning requires a lot of man power whereas a scrubbing machine needs only one operator.Thus, using a scrubbing machine saves on manpower and labour costs. A floor scrubber also uses less water compared to mop and bucket technique, enabling you to realize your water management solutions.The floor scrubbing machine has come in handy in this pandemic when companies are doing their best to save operational costs due to the economic blow that has been dealt to businesses worldwide.

Though the upfront cost of acquiring a scrubber dryer is high, the equipment pays for itself over time because labour costs represent about 90% of the total cost of maintaining floors when using manual labour.

Eco-friendly

Unlike the mop and bucket cleaning method, scrubbing machines use minimal water and, depending on your cleaning needs, may not require cleaning chemicals at all.Some applications can be effectively cleaned with water and the strength of the scrubber pads alone. This means there is less chemical exposure to the environment and workers, and water is preserved.

Cleaning Efficiency

As you can see, the efficacy of a scrubbing machine cannot be understated. They clean deeply due to the aggressive spinning of their brushes, enabling them to remove sticky substances, oil, grease and rust that cannot be easily removed with a mop. They also reach inaccessible areas like corners where germs and viruses hide.They are fast and quiet enough to prevent disruptions and distractions to other building occupants, making them perfect for use in places where silence is essential such as schools and hospitals.Floors cleaned with scrubbing machines dry within 10 seconds, eradicating safety hazards associated with mops and brooms.

Regulatory Standards

Besides, the better your ability to maintain consistent levels of cleanliness and order in the workplace – using such technology as scrubbing machines as opposed to mops and brooms – the better your chances of meeting or exceeding state or industry health and safety regulations, and to pass required testing and inspection standards.

Floor scrubbing machines have gained a lot of popularity in the FM industry and more and more companies are leaving behind the mop and bucket cleaning technique and embracing this innovation as a worthy investment that not only offers optimum cleaning productivity but also promotes health and safety, and makes them stand out in the current competitive business climate.