What is an industrial scrubber used for?

An industrial scrubber is used for professional floor cleaning of large areas in businesses, factories, hospitals, schools and other commercial areas. These machines combine scrubbing, rinsing and drying floors in one pass, allowing you to efficiently and thoroughly clean different floor types. They are indispensable for businesses that have to deal with dirty floors daily due to high traffic, production processes or hygiene requirements.

What is an industrial scrubber and why is it important?

A industrial scrubber is a professional cleaning machine designed specifically for thoroughly cleaning large floor areas. These machines work by applying water and detergent to the floor, then scrubbing it with rotating brushes or pads, then vacuuming back up the dirty water.

The core function of a scrubber lies in automating the cleaning process. Whereas with traditional mopping you spend a lot of time and often don't get rid of all the dirt, a scrubber provides consistent results in a fraction of the time.

For companies with large floor areas, these machines have become practically indispensable. They not only save time and labor, but also provide a much better cleaning standard than manual cleaning allows.

What floor types is an industrial scrubber used for?

Industrial scrubbers are suitable for virtually all hard floor surfaces. The choice of brushes, pads and cleaning agents determines which floor types you can effectively treat.

Concrete floors are ideal for scrubbers. These robust surfaces can withstand intensive cleaning and benefit greatly from the powerful scrubbing action that removes stubborn dirt and stains.

Tile floors, both ceramic and natural stone, respond excellently to scrubber cleaning. The machine not only cleans the tiles themselves, but also works effectively in the joints where dirt often accumulates.

Epoxy and plastic floors require softer pads to prevent damage, but are great for mechanical cleaning. Vinyl and PVC floors can also be cleaned, provided you use the right settings and cleaning agents.

In what industries is a scrubber most commonly used?

Manufacturing and industry constitute the largest user group of industrial scrubbers. Factories, production halls and workshops deal with oil, grease, dust and other industrial dirt that can only be effectively removed by mechanical cleaning.

In the logistics industry, scrubbers are indispensable for keeping warehouses, distribution centers and loading docks clean. These areas have large surfaces that get soiled daily by forklift traffic and goods transfers.

Healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and clinics use professional scrubbers to meet strict hygiene requirements. The thorough cleaning these machines provide is necessary for infection prevention.

Educational institutions, from elementary schools to universities, use scrubbers to maintain hallways, cafeterias, gymnasiums and other common areas where hundreds of people walk daily.

Retail chains use scrubbers to clean store floors, especially in supermarkets, hardware stores and other large retail spaces where presentation and hygiene are important.

How does an industrial scrubber work and what makes it so effective?

The operating principle of a professional scrubber for industrial cleaning is based on a controlled wet-cleaning process. The machine first applies a mixture of water and detergent to the floor via nozzles or a dispensing system.

Next, rotating brushes or scrub pads go to work. These move over the floor surface at high speed and under pressure, loosening dirt, grease and caked-on residue. The mechanical action is much more powerful than what is possible by hand.

Directly behind the scrubbing brushes, the machine sucks up the dirty water again via a squeegee connected to a dirty water tank. This is done in one pass, leaving the floor immediately dry and clean.

This method is superior to traditional mopping because you do not spread the same dirty water over the floor with a mop every time. Each square meter is treated with clean water and detergent, while the dirt is discharged immediately.

What benefits does an industrial scrubber offer your business?

The biggest gains are in time savings. Where an employee spends hours mopping large areas, a scrubber cleans the same area in a fraction of the time. This means more time for other work.

Consistent cleaning results are another big advantage. Regardless of who is operating the machine, the results remain the same. This eliminates the variation you get with manual cleaning, where one person works more thoroughly than another.

For companies in sectors with hygiene requirements, a scrubber provides the assurance of thorough cleaning. The mechanical action and the use of clean water per section provide a level of cleaning not achievable with mopping.

In the long run, regular scrubbing preserves your floors. Dirt that accumulates and creeps in is removed in time before permanent damage occurs. This significantly extends the life of floor surfaces.

The professional appearance of always clean company floors has an impact on both employees and visitors. A clean work environment exudes professionalism and contributes to a positive corporate image.

Key considerations in choosing the right scrubber

The floor space that you need to clean regularly largely determines what type of machine you need. For smaller areas up to 1,000 square feet, a walking machine is usually sufficient, while larger areas benefit from a seated machine for higher productivity.

The frequency of use affects your choice between new and used machines. For daily use, investment in a new machine may pay for itself faster, while for occasional use, a well-rebuilt used machine will suffice.

Pay attention to practical aspects such as tank capacity, battery life and working width. A machine with too small tanks means a lot of filling and emptying, while too short battery life interrupts your workday.

The type of battery deserves special consideration. Lead-acid batteries require maintenance, gel batteries are maintenance-free but have a higher purchase price, and lithium batteries offer the most flexibility.

Professional advice can save you a lot of time and frustration. At Metech, we're happy to help you find the right industrial floor cleaning-solution for your specific situation. We demonstrate machines on site so you can experience how they perform on your floors before making a decision. For personal advice you can always contact us.