Floor Care Equipment Maintenance

Maintaining Your Floor Scrubbers

Proper operation of floor cleaning equipment is the single most important factor that can increase the life of the machine. In addition to operating the equipment, floor scrubber operators should also know how to prepare the machine for use and how to perform some general floor care equipment maintenance on the scrubber. These are important steps that will help maximize the industrial floor cleaner performance while saving time and money by reducing equipment downtime.

When making a purchasing decision for an automatic floor scrubber, take ergonomic design details into consideration it can help ensure operators are able to effectively clean.  It is also a good idea to have as few employees assigned to floor scrubber operator duties as possible. This will help ensure consistency of operation and reduce the risk that the machine will be mishandled.

To gain the greatest return on investment on your cleaning equipment, we recommend proper training of floor scrubber operators. This step should not be overlooked as it will save your floor care equipment maintenance budget in the long run.

  • To begin the floor care equipment maintenance, remove Debris Prior to Scrubbing. If operating a cylindrical floor scrubber, this step can usually be avoided. Being able to skip pre-sweeping is one of the time saving benefits of using a cylindrical machine. When utilizing the force of a disc configured floor scrubber, it is important to first remove excess debris from the area being scrubbed. This will reduce unwanted stress on the machine’s vacuum system and avoid added wear on the scrub pads. It can also cut down on the time it takes to scrub the floors.

  • When filling the solution tank, add the detergentafter you fill the tank with water in order to cut down on excess foam. Be sure to follow the manufacturer recommended ratios when using cleaning chemicals.
  • Operators should scrub in straight, parallel lines with a slight overlap to help ensure that no spots are missed. Starting the scrub path opposite the exit door can save time by allowing the operator to leave without having to go back over previously scrubbed floors.
  • After using the machine, empty and then rinse the recovery tank. Rotate scrubber brushes on a weekly basis.

  • Operators should return the machine to storage in a dry area. If using a battery-operated floor scrubber, charge the battery after use. It is also important to take care of your scrubber battery. Periodically add distilled water to your batteries to maintain proper fluid levels.

  • Operators should use protective gear as needed. Comfortable, non-slip footwear is suitable. If the machine operates above 85 dB, it is recommended to wear ear protection. Gloves may be used if handling harsh chemicals or pre-treatments, though they are not necessary during normal operation.

Read our Scrubber Maintenance Guide.