Multipurpose Floor Equipment Improves Cleaning

Key Takeaways: 

• Modern facilities contain a wider variety of flooring surfaces, making multipurpose floor care equipment a more effective and efficient alternative to traditional single-purpose tools.
• Equipment such as steam cleaners, hydrowashers, and advanced vacuums can clean multiple surfaces while reducing labor, storage requirements, water usage, and chemical consumption.
• Jan/san distributors can add value by helping customers select versatile floor care solutions and establishing proper usage protocols to maximize performance and prevent cross-contamination.

 

End users spend considerable time and effort on floor care. This is evident based on utility closets that are stuffed with vacuums, rotary floor machines, brooms, buckets, and mops. But are these classic floor care tools the best option for today’s buildings, or should jan/san distributors be helping their customers find multipurpose equipment that simplify processes and free up valuable storage space? 

“The industry has been using a 175-RPM, low-speed rotary floor machine for close to 100 years, but buildings today are different,” explains Dave Thompson, Consultant and Owner of Academy of Cleaning Excellence. “Facilities feature all kinds of floors. Why would we continue to use the same tool?” 

The issue, according to Thompson, is texture. Most end users no longer spend their time servicing smooth vinyl composite tile (VCT). Instead, they are caring for tile and grout, stone, concrete, carpet, and, more predominately, luxury vinyl plank (LVP).  

“These are multi-level surfaces that require a different approach,” he adds. 

This is why jan/san distributors should consider talking to customers about multipurpose floor equipment. These tools, designed to service all flooring types found in today’s facilities, promise to clean better while simplifying the process.  

Common Tools 

Most distributors know that the list of multipurpose floor tools is large. It includes scrubbers, counter-rotating brush machines, restroom cleaning machines, and more. However, there is also an emergence of steam-based cleaning platforms, and jan/san distributors would be wise to discuss these products with customers. 

“Depending on configuration, these machines can support routine scrubbing, stripping, concrete polishing, low-moisture and deep carpet care, grout cleaning, and maintenance of resilient flooring, such as luxury vinyl tile (LVT),” says Raymond Fyler, Director Equipment Sales & Service, Imperial Brady, Las Vegas. “Steam solutions are emerging as multipurpose units for kitchens, restrooms, and upholstery, with a focus on conserving water and reducing chemical usage.” 

When it comes to multipurpose floor machines, Chad Richards, Vice President of Business Development, Milhench Supply Company, New Bedford, Massachusetts, is a big fan of low-moisture, multi-floor hydrowashers. These scrubbers are designed to wash, scrub, and dry in one pass, these tools clean everything from carpet and hard flooring to escalators.  

“They’re very versatile and work on any flooring type,” says Richards. “It can clean the front sidewalk to the back loading dock and everything in between.” 

However, jan/san distributors should advise customers to exercise caution if using the same machine both indoors and outdoors. 

“Contamination control matters,” Fyler warns. “Equipment used outside may carry abrasive debris that can compromise interior floor finishes, so operators need clear protocols for where and how each unit is deployed.” 

Several of these tools may sound new, but the vacuum is familiar to all. While the machine has a storied history, there is now a modern twist that distributors can tout during sales calls. 

“There are various types of vacuums—both wet and dry—that are considered multipurpose,” says Stan Hulin, Owner and Vice President, Future Facility Technology, Inc., Clackamas, Oregon. “Most vacuum cleaners have a whole host of accessories to aid in reaching high surfaces, tight spaces, hard surfaces, furnishings, and fixtures. They can be converted for hard floor periodic and restorative care.” 

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What to Look for in Multi-Purpose Floor Machines