What is a scrubber?

A scrubber is a professional cleaning machine that wet-cleans floors using rotating brushes or discs, water and detergent. The machine removes stubborn dirt, grease and stains from various floor types and immediately vacuums the dirty water back up, leaving floors clean and dry. Scrubbers are indispensable for businesses looking to clean large floor areas efficiently and thoroughly.

What is a scrubber and why do you need one?

A scrubber is a specialized piece of equipment for professional floor cleaning that combines water, detergent and mechanical action to thoroughly clean floors. The device consists of rotating brushes or discs, water tanks for clean and dirty water, and a suction system that picks up dirty water directly.

You need a scrubber because manual mopping is time-consuming and inefficient for large areas. These machines make floor cleaning up to ten times faster than traditional methods. They remove not only surface dirt, but also deeply ingrained dirt, grease and stains that ordinary mopping will not remove.

Scrubbers are important for businesses to maintain a professional appearance and ensure hygiene standards. They prevent slippery, greasy floors that pose safety hazards and provide a clean work environment that employees and visitors appreciate.

How exactly does a scrubber work?

The operating principle of a scrubbing machine is based on a four-step process that occurs automatically while driving. The machine spreads clean water with detergent on the floor, scrubs with rotating brushes, and immediately vacuums back the dirty water.

The clean water tank contains water mixed with cleaning agent that is evenly distributed over the floor via nozzles. Rotating brushes or discs move over the floor surface at high speed and mechanically loosen dirt, grease and stains by friction and the cleaning agent.

A powerful squeegee behind the brushes immediately sucks up dirty water and transports it to the holding tank. Rubber strips ensure that no dirty water is left behind. The result is a clean, dry floor that is immediately passable again without wet spots or streaks.

What is the difference between a scrubber and a sweeper?

The main difference lies in the cleaning method: sweepers remove dry dirt such as dust, leaves and small particles, while scrubbers clean wet and tackle stubborn dirt. Both machines have different areas of application and complement each other.

Sweepers use rotating brushes to sweep up dirt into a built-in dirt container. They are ideal for parking lots, warehouses and outdoor areas where there is a lot of loose dirt. Scrubbers, on the other hand, use water and chemicals to clean and are suitable for smooth floors in offices, stores and manufacturing areas.

For optimal results, use sweepers for daily cleaning of dry dirt and scrubbers for thorough, periodic cleaning. Some modern machines combine both functions in one machine: sweeper-scrub combinations that first sweep and then scrub.

What types of scrubbers are available?

Treadmills are compact scrubbers that you operate while walking. They are ideal for smaller areas such as restrooms, hallways and stores up to 1,000 square feet. These machines are maneuverable and suitable for daily use by cleaning staff.

Ride-on machines are larger machines on which you can sit while cleaning. They have larger water tanks, wider working widths and are suitable for large areas such as warehouses, factories and parking garages. Productivity is much higher than walking machines.

Single-disc machines are versatile devices without water extraction that are suitable for scrubbing, polishing and stripping various floor types. Sweeping-scrubbing combinations perform both functions in one pass.

How do you choose the right scrubber for your business?

Start by determining your floor space and cleaning frequency. For areas up to 1,000 square feet, a walking machine is sufficient, while larger areas require a seated machine for efficient cleaning within reasonable time.

Consider the type of soiling and floor material. Light daily cleaning requires less powerful machines than removing industrial dirt or grease. Hard floors such as tile and concrete tolerate more powerful brushes, while sensitive materials require soft pads.

Several options are available, from compact walking machines to professional seating machines. The choice depends on your specific needs and area of application. Both new and used machines offer excellent options for different budgets.

Also consider practical aspects such as battery life, tank capacity and ease of maintenance. Lithium batteries offer more flexibility than traditional lead-acid batteries and provide longer working hours.

Key benefits of professional scrubbers

The biggest advantage is time savings: professional scrubbers clean up to ten times faster than manual mopping. This means more efficiency and more time for other tasks. Large surfaces that would take hours are cleaned in minutes.

The cleaning results are significantly better than traditional methods. Scrubbers remove stubborn stains, grease and deeply ingrained dirt that mopping systems do not remove. The result is a professionally clean floor without streaks or wet spots.

In the long run, scrubbers are a smart investment. They save on labor costs, cleaning supplies and floor replacement costs. Properly maintained floors last longer and retain their professional appearance.

Scrubbers contribute to a safer work environment by preventing slippery, greasy floors. They meet hygiene standards and create a professional appearance that customers and employees appreciate.

At Metech, we're happy to help you find the perfect scrubber for your situation. With our experience since 2004 and over 700 machines in stock, we can quickly deliver the right solution for any cleaning challenge. Please contact us for personalized advice.