When people plan to clean their floors, they tend to use traditional methods, such as mops and buckets. However, if you manage large areas, using the old cleaning tools to clean those areas may affect your productivity. That is when floor scrubbers come in—the devices that are a lifesaver in getting the job done right. With so many varying models available, however, not every model suits every space.
This guide explores some of the most common types of commercial floor cleaning machines and introduces some points you should consider before selecting your floor scrubbers.
Types of Floor Scrubbers
Walk-Behind Floor Scrubbers
You push these along manually, making them easy for more cramped or cluttered areas.
- They’re ideal for: spaces of approximately 20,000 square feet or smaller, like retail stores, hospitals, or small storage facilities in which you’ve got tight aisles and items in the middle.
- Why use them: Very easy to guide around, easy to store away when you're finished, and they don't usually cost as much up front.
If you run a retail store, the LT-S530X Walk Behind Floor Scrubber Machine is the ideal choice. This cleaning equipment has a 24V battery and an ultra-narrow body of 50cm, which is light and easy to operate in your store. Explore the details of the LT-S530X Walk Behind Floor Scrubber Machine to match your space.
Ride-On Floor Scrubbers
These feature a seat so that you can ride while you work, great for covering a lot of ground without wearing yourself out.
- They’re ideal for: Big areas such as large factories, airports, or warehouses.
- Why use them: They scrub quicker with less effort, keep the hand of the operator from tiring, and hold larger tanks so you can work longer without stopping. Although the initial investment is relatively high, the time and energy saved usually pays big dividends.
In large warehouses, the LT-S710X Ride-On Floor Scrubber stands out: its 130L large water tank and ergonomic seat allow you to cover tens of thousands of square meters without fatigue, and it also supports IC card smart control to reduce maintenance costs.
Specialty Floor Scrubbers
- Orbital Scrubbers: Instead of rotating bristles, they vibrate at high speed to scrub deeply—great for stripping floors or handling rough surfaces without dumping a boatload of chemicals.
- Cylindrical Scrubbers: They feature brushes that spin against each other, so you can brush away garbage while scrubbing. Great for textured floor surfaces or floors with some grit.
- Sweeper-Scrubbers: Tough, these combination models sweep away garbage and clean in one pass, needed for grimy industrial spaces.
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying Floor Scrubbers
The perfect floor scrubber is the one that suits your needs. Therefore, you can choose the correct floor scrubbers according to your specific requirements. If you do not consider this problem beforehand before buying the floor cleaning machine, you might buy a floor scrubber that cannot be used for your requirements. Finally, it would cause an inefficient cleaning effect. The following are the considerations you can take:
| Factor | Details | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Minimizes the need for harsh chemicals. | ||
| Large, Open Areas | Ride-on scrubbers for efficiency. | Covers more ground quickly. |
| Small/Cluttered Areas | Walk-behind scrubbers for navigation in tight spaces. | Measure doors/aisles to ensure fit. |
| Type of Floor Surface | ||
| Smooth (Tile, Vinyl) | Standard disc brushes for everyday cleaning. | Effective for light to moderate dirt. |
| Rough (Concrete, Anti-Slip) | Orbital or cylindrical scrubbers for deeper cleaning. | Handles tougher surfaces without chemicals. |
| Stripping Wax/Finishes | Orbital scrubbers for effective stripping. | A higher upfront cost may save money over time. |
| Power Options | ||
| Battery-Powered | Cordless, ideal for offices; lithium batteries offer longer life, less maintenance. | Example: LVTONG scrubbers with lithium batteries. |
| Cord-Electric | Suitable for small areas with access to outlets. | Continuous power, no runtime limits. |
| LPG/Engine-Powered | For large outdoor areas with ventilation. | Less common due to fumes. |
| Cleaning Path Width | Wider paths reduce cleaning passes but may not fit tight spaces. | Match width to narrowest paths/doorways. |
| Tank Capacity | Larger tanks mean fewer refills/dumps. | Ideal for large areas to minimize interruptions. |
| Brushes and Pads | ||
| Brushes | Light bristles for light work, stronger (poly/nylon) for heavy dirt. | Choose based on dirt level and floor type. |
| Pads | White/red (light cleaning), blue/green (normal), black (stripping). | Select based on floor sensitivity and cleaning task. |
| Budget and Value | ||
| Initial Cost vs. Long-Term | Consider maintenance, parts, and labor savings. | Faster cleaning can justify the cost. |
| Return on Investment (ROI) | Calculate time saved vs. manual cleaning. | Faster cleaning can justify cost. |
The Layout and Size of Your Area
Your building layout plays a significant role here.
- For large, open areas: Ride-on units will allow you to get through them efficiently.
- In smaller or cluttered spots: Stick with walk-behind ones to navigate you to clean those corners.
Tip: Grab a tape measure for your smallest doors and aisles. Make sure the machine can squeeze through without issues.
Type of Floor Surface
Different floor scrubbers produce different cleaning results on different types of flooring.
- On smooth stuff like tile or vinyl: Standard disc brushes can help you handle everyday cleaning.
- For thicker, dingier surfaces like concrete or anti-slip: Orbital or cylindrical types get in there deeper to perform well.
- For stripping old wax or finishes: Orbitals are great at this; most of the time, you do not need harsh chemicals.
Power Options
The power source affects your run time, flexibility, and maintenance.
- Battery-Powered: No cords to occupy your space, so they’re popular in most office settings. Lithium batteries are getting popular in industrial and commercial floor scrubbers—they require less maintenance and last longer.
- Cord-Electric: Good for tight areas where you can plug in and don’t care about runtime.
- LPG or Engine-Powered: Not common, but good for humongous outdoor settings or areas with adequate ventilation because of the fumes.
Many users favor the LVTONG floor scrubbers, and one of the reasons is that they provide a standard lithium battery, which has better performance, longer lifespan, and less maintenance.
Cleaning Path Width and Tank Capacity
- Cleaning Path Width: A Wider path equals less back-and-forth traveling, but it could be cumbersome in tight areas. You can choose the right cleaning path width according to your actual needs.
- Tank Capacity: Increased solution and recovery tanks equal less need to stop and refill or dump, a blessing in larger structures.
Brushes and Pads Types
The right ones guarantee excellent cleaning without scouring up your surfaces.
- Brushes: Lighter bristles for lighter work, stronger for heavy dirt. Poly or nylon, depending on what you're scrubbing.
- Pads: Usually categorized by color, indicating their abrasiveness. white/red for light cleaning, blue/green for normal scrubbing, and black for hard stripping. Select according to your floor and application.
Budget and Overall Value
Don’t consider just the initial price.
- Total Cost Over Time: Include maintenance, replaceable parts, and how much it will save in labor. A more expensive unit that's constructed to be long-lasting or operates with greater efficiency may end up being less expensive in the end.
- ROI: Calculate the time saved versus using it by hand. If it cuts cleaning time in half, it may pay for itself sooner than anticipated.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Floor Scrubber
Even experienced buyers may make some mistakes when choosing floor scrubbers. Here are some points that you should pay attention to when buying a floor cleaning machine.
Neglecting Maintenance: Some floor scrubbers that you can buy at a low price look like a deal, but those products’ manufacturers do not provide after-sales service. Therefore, if parts like brushes or squeegees become damaged, it will be costly to repair. Choose established brands that have good support.
With 21 years of production experience, Lvtong is one of the largest floor cleaning equipment manufacturers in China. It has strict quality control and provides complete pre-sales and after-sales services. You can trust them as your choice.
Underestimating Your Space: Some people tend to consider productivity, and then they think the biggest ride-on floor scrubber is the best. However, those floor scrubbers can be a waste because they can not pass key aisles, doorways. Therefore, first measure twice before committing to a size.
Select Wrong Scrubber Head: Using a disc on grout-filled floors or a hard cylindrical head on sensitive tile will probably be damaging. Consult experts to make the installation right.
Focusing Only on Upfront Cost: A cheap scrubber that breaks frequently or fails to clean well will pay in repairs. Therefore, don’t just consider the upfront costs; consider the long-term benefits.
FAQs
Conclusion
Choosing a proper floor scrubber can help you create a clean and cozy environment. But buying a floor scrubber not only takes one factor into consideration, but you should also take all aspects into consideration. For example, according to the layout and size of your area, you need to decide whether to use ride-on scrubbers or walk-behind scrubbers. Different scubbers have different cleaning effects on different floor surfaces. In addition, power source, cleaning path width, tank capacity, brushes and pads types, and your budget are also important factors.
According to this guide, select the suitable floor scrubber for your needs and start effective cleaning.
