Should You Invest in a Floor Scrubber for Your Business? | Corona, CA

When you have a large area to keep spic-n-span, it can be a daunting task to keep the floors clean and injury-free. So, for many industrial businesses, they invest in a floor scrubber rather than using the traditional mop and bucket technique.

When deciding upon which model to purchase, it is important to think about a few key product points so you can get the model best suited for your needs. Here are a few questions to ask to ask yourself when deciding not only if you need a scrubber, but what you’re like this machine to enable you to do. After all, you don’t need a giant machine for a smaller floor space and a smaller model may not make life easier for a larger building:

Do you need a sweeper, a scrubber or both? Knowing what your floor needs to maintain the level of cleanliness you’re looking for will help guide which models to seek out. Some specialize in one mode of cleaning, while others have a dual feature. It all depends on what your industry is and the area you are trying to maintain.

Rider or walk-behind? This depends on the surface of your floors. A rider will increase productivity, but not if you have lots of nooks and crannies to get clean. Knowing the area your cleaning will make this decision easier.

What kind of flooring are you cleaning? Different surfaces necessitate different cleaning products.

Who is operating the scrubber? “Different strokes for different folks” may be the saying, but it holds true for floor scrubbers purchasing. Make sure whoever is operating it can fit the machine and know how to operate it properly. The point is to make this investment a worthwhile one, not cumbersome to those using it.

To find out more about autoscrubbers, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.sciefloorscrubbers.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Automatic Floor Scrubbers: How They Make Our Lives Easier | Corona, CA

We can’t deny that it saves you an incredible amount of time. In fact, an automatic floor scrubber can save you up to 80% of the man hours it would take to clean the floors by hand. They are single-handedly the most economical investment you can make for your industrial building’s maintenance. You’re nothing but thankful for this handy machine each time you scrub the dirt and bring them to a glossy sheen. But have you ever stopped to think about how it works?

An automatic floor scrubber makes your life easier with three components that work in unison. After all, teamwork makes the dream work. These components – the solution dispensing system, scrubbing system and solution recovery/vacuum system – all complete the puzzle as you guide the machine along your soiled floors.

Solution dispensing system. You can’t get a good clean without soap. This little gadget makes sure to dispense just the right amount of cleaning solution your floor requires. The solution you use is dependent on your particular machine and the floor’s needs.

Scrubbing system. This is the most crucial part of the floor scrubber. Along the bottom of your machine a floor pad or brush will agitate the cleaning solution with enough power to remove any dirt, grease or grime that has soiled your floor.

Solution recovery/vacuum system. Now that we have scrubbed our floors clean, we need to get the soap and residue off the floor. A type of squeegee/vacuum component will suck it all up and store it in a tank that you can remove and empty. This not only minimizes dry time but will also prevent any injuries from slipping.

To find out more about autoscrubbers, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.sciefloorscrubbers.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Quick Tips to Maintaining Industrial Floors | Corona, CA

by Michael Schaffer

Rarely in the commercial cleaning business will you hear the term, “general cleaning.” That is because each cleaning task is unique; unique cleaning problems produce unique cleaning solutions. In following this adage, the maintenance of industrial floors is no different.

Floor maintenance works best when the duties, frequency of tasks and other services necessary to maintain the floor have been outlined and written down. Everyone involved in floor maintenance should be aware of and be a part of the floor maintenance plan. The floor maintenance plan should also outline exactly how the floors are to be maintained.

Regular maintenance — including such things as placing mats at entries, vacuuming them regularly and maintaining the outside entries by removing oily soils on sidewalks and parking lots — helps keep industrial floors clean. In addition, all building lobbies and entries should be dust mopped, mopped and cleaned daily.

More advanced floor care equipment, such as scrubbers, burnishers and cylindrical machines, can significantly reduce the time needed to care for floors. In addition, managers of industrial facilities will usually look for the most efficient equipment they can find, such as machines that can multitask: Scrub, clean and polish.

The chemicals selected for floor maintenance are also a concern. These chemicals, of all cleaning products, can be some of the most potentially harmful to the environment. Environmentally preferable floor care chemicals are now being introduced that work as effectively as conventional products but with less impact on the environment.

For industrial facilities, floor care machines with passive vacuum systems are necessary. These vacuums keep impurities from being released into the air, protecting the health of cleaning professionals and industrial workers.

To find out more about cleaning commercial flooring, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.sciefloorscrubbers.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Presenting the Clark Focus II Mid-Size Riding Autoscrubber | Corona, CA

Just because we seem to be on the other side of COVID-19, that doesn’t mean we need keep our workplaces clean. In fact, this is even more reason to do so. And a main feature to keeping things tidy, is cleaning the floors. If you have a lot of square footage to clean, consider investing in a riding scrubber, like the Clark Focus II Mid-Size Riding Autoscrubber.

Similar to its stand-behind brother, this scrubber has all of the flash but none of the complications. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that make this riding scrubber the best choice for you:

BOOST technology. BOOST Technology is a green way to remove floor finish without the use of chemicals. By using BOOST, you cannot reduce your water usage, but the squared pad design helps to get in the corners, making it a time and money saver.

Three-disc models. Available in 28 and 34-inch discs, and a 28-inch BOOST disc version, these models are perfect for a daily scrub. Because it is powered by two heavy-duty brush motors, it helps reduce manpower. If you have uneven floors, this is the model for you for an all-over clean.

Other bonus features. A tight turning radius makes this model a fantastic option for those floors that have lots of corners and edges. An increased down pressure is a definite asset as it will only take a single pass for your flooring to sparkle like the Chrysler Building. And a quiet motor makes this machine perfect to clean floors at any time of day, without disturbing the business conducted as you clean.

To find out more about cleaning commercial flooring, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.sciefloorscrubbers.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

The Best Cleaning Method for Your Commercial Flooring | Corona, CA

July 10, 2019

Too often people underestimate the impact of a building’s flooring material. Picture yourself walking into a high-end commercial building. Natural light floods the room and glints off of marble floors that cover the expanse of the lobby area. Instantly, the commercial building gives its owners added class, prestige, and reputation.

But with unique floors comes unique cleaning and care needs. The last thing you want is to ruin your nice marble floors by using an acidic cleaner. Or warping your building’s beautiful hardwood by using too much water. When choosing a commercial cleaner for your building, pay extra attention to how they’ll take care of your floors.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is a common flooring material. It’s hardy, cost-efficient, water-and-stain resistant, and can be attractive. Today, vinyl floors can mimic wood, tile, and even marble. It comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. However, vinyl can be difficult to install.

Vinyl is a relatively thin material. This fact is part of why it’s so cost-efficient. But it does mean that the success of your flooring installation often depends on the subfloor underneath it. If there are any bumps, grooves, or indentations, it will show through to your finished vinyl flooring. Because of this, the best subfloor is typically well-sanded plywood.

Vinyl flooring is one of the easier materials to clean. It can be scoured with germ-killing solutions such as antiseptic. It is also resistant to chemicals, such as oil, grease, methane, propane, and more. This means fewer stains to scrub out and that it can handle a heavy-duty cleaning.

However, vinyl isn’t indestructible. The surface can be scratched. Therefore, the first step to cleaning vinyl floors is to dry mop to remove any dust or dirt. It’s also a good idea to place a mat at all entries and exits. And stain-resistant doesn’t mean stain-proof. Wipe up any stains as soon as they occur. Vinyl is not a material where you would use a “mop and shine” product. These can actually leave a dull film on top of your floor. Abrasive cleaners will also scratch the floors and should be avoided.

If your vinyl floors are heavily-trafficked, you want to clean them frequently. This will prevent a build-up of dust and grime which could damage the surface. However, you need to wait at least two weeks after it has been installed before cleaning. This ensures that the surface has set and will not be negatively impacted by any wet cleaning.

Wood Flooring

Hardwood floors can be iconic. Depending on what tree they’re made out of, they can be quite wide, with beautiful patterning and decent durability. If you have an older more rustic commercial building, they can add a lot of character to your building with a warm feel. However, hardwood floors are expensive. The installation cost of hardwood ranges from $5 to $8 a square foot. This adds up quite fast when you’re installing the square footage needed for a commercial building.

Hardwood floors require more care than synthetic vinyl. Its warmth and attractiveness greatly decreases once scratched, or scuffed. If not well-taken care of, it loses its shine and makes your building look grungy and old instead of professional. Part of cleaning and care should include sweeping to remove any dirt that could be ground into it by constant walking traffic. Placing mats at entrances will keep the dust and dirt from entering into your office.

If you do choose to use entryway mats, be sure to sweep underneath them on a regular basis. Otherwise the area underneath the mats will be slowly ground away, as if by sandpaper.

Hardwood floors are easily damaged by sunlight and excess water. Wood is a porous material and will more easily soak up stains and water than vinyl. This will lead to discoloration, warping, and an unattractive floor for your office. Hardwood can also be damaged or discolored by sunlight. If your commercial building has a lot of natural lighting, hardwood floors may not be a good choice.

While vinyl should be cleaned frequently, hardwood flooring should be cleaned every day. This prevents any sort of sandpaper effect by removing the thin layer of dust and grime that has built up from foot traffic throughout the day. In order to truly keep their shine, hardwood floors need to be mopped with a wood finishing product at least once a month. This will help keep the floor shiny and your building looking nice. Avoid excess water usage when mopping to avoid damage.

Concrete Flooring

Concrete floors are becoming more and more popular in commercial buildings. They lend themselves to an industrial feel that is hardy and long-lasting. When it is sealed and polished, concrete can almost have the same impact on your building as marble flooring. It can add shine and prestige to your office. However, if it becomes too dirty or loses its luster, it can quickly start to feel like your typical garage floor.

To keep concrete floors looking professional, it’s important to have them scrubbed, sealed, and polished on a pretty regular basis. Despite its durability, concrete is actually quite porous. This means it can easily be discolored by spilled drinks or chemical mishaps. Having your concrete floor sealed helps to prevent discolorations from ruining your flooring.

Compared to carpet or hardwood, concrete is actually an easy-to-care-for material. When it’s properly sealed, it’s resistant to almost all scratches and stains, and doesn’t trap small particulates or dust. However, concrete does still need some maintenance.

To keep your building clean and fresh, it’s a good idea to dry mop on a daily basis. The floor should be scrubbed and re-sealed every few years. This will keep it resistant to stains. Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals or acidic cleaners on a daily basis will keep the sealant intact for longer and help the flooring keep its polished look for longer.

To find out more about cleaning commercial flooring, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.sciefloorscrubbers.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Product Showcase: CT5 Automatic Walk-Behind Scrubber | Corona, CA

The CT5 is one of the smallest and lightest automatic scrubbers on the market and is extremely portable with its lightweight design weighing only 44 pounds, including the battery and brush. The machine can be carried from room-to-room or transported on a cleaning cart such as the Brix, making it perfect for cleaning restrooms, picking up spills, and cleaning wet and slippery entryways. Its small, compact size allows it to squeeze into many tight spaces, such as aisles or between tables, making it perfect for the retail sector and restaurants as well.

Easy to use. The CT5 is easy to use with its ergonomic and innovative control panel as well as its adjustable handlebar. It takes very little time to learn how to operate and a significant reduction in effort for having to move the machine from room to room.

Easy to store. The CT5 has a maneuverable and compact design, weighing only 44 lbs. The machine can easily be stored, transported or parked into any space within seconds.

Optimal run-time. The CT5’s lithium-ion battery can be recharged within an hour, either on-board or externally, when swapping out batteries.

Easy to fill. The CT5’s solution tank is extremely easy to fill – either directly or by removing the recovery tank from the machine. The easy to dump tank is easily removed and can be dumped into a toilet or sink.

Easy to dry. The CT5 can dry in both forward and reverse. This allows it to dry places that other scrubbers cannot reach, making it a perfect tool for restroom cleaning.

Productive. The CT5’s battery guarantees 50 minutes of cleaning, or up to 75 minutes with an optional battery. It can clean approximately 6,500 square feet an hour.

To find out more about the CT5 automatic walk-behind scrubber, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.scielifts.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Types of Floor Scrubber Cleaning Chemicals & Detergent | Corona, CA

There are a few basic types of floor scrubber chemicals:

pH neutral cleaner. pH neutral is 7 on a scale from 1-4.  This is safe for all floor types, but this will only clean basic dirt from foot traffic you might see in a hospital or school.  Basically, if it’s already clean by dust mopping, this will clean the remaining dirt.

All-purpose cleaner. this is slightly above pH neutral (usually in the 9-10 range).  With the added pH alkalinity, the chemical can “cut” or dissolve soils better. It’s slightly more aggressive than a pH neutral cleaner and many of these are safe for use on floor finish.  Read the label first before using on floor finish.

Light duty degreaser. This pH will usually be around 9-11.  It’s got some ingredients that will dissolve or “cut” grease and petroleum.  It may be geared towards food grease (animal fats) or petroleum based (motor oils).  This product is not designed for use on floor finish, and it will destroy the floor finish over time causing you to have to strip/wax the floors more frequently.  You might find these products in a spray and wipe application as well as mop bucket or autoscrubbers.

Heavy duty degreaser. The pH for these products will usually be 12 or higher as that’s the strength of alkalinity required to easily break down greases, oils and other petroleum based industrial soils.  The ingredients in these products are caustic (corrosive) and need to be handled with care.  These products are not designed to be used by hand as that poses too much risk of contact with the operator or housekeeper.  These products are usually designed for floor use only for safety.

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To find out more about floor cleaner options, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.scielifts.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness | Corona, CA

Now that we are hyper-aware of the cleanliness of a place, it is important that we continue to maintain these levels in order to keep everyone safe. But if that place has a lot of square footage, it can take a lot of time and manpower in order to keep everything clean as a whistle, especially when it comes to the floors. People are always walking on them, so cleaning them can become cumbersome. Then in walks the industrial scrubber. Commercial floor scrubbers, like our Clarke and Viper models, make the job of cleaning heavily used floors much easier than it would be otherwise. These are the benefits of investing in an industrial scrubber to handle your floor maintenance.

Quicker dry times. When you use a traditional mop and bucket to clean the floor, drying may take some time. A floor scrubber doesn’t use nearly as much water as a traditional mop, allowing floors to dry faster and preventing the risk of slips and falls.

Cleaning efficiency. These scrubbers have the power to remove grime, grease, and dirt that are traditionally very difficult to remove. In particular, a floor scrubber does its magic by spraying water and chemicals on the floor, scrubbing the dirt and grime away, and leaving a perfect shine in its wake.

Easier cleaning process. You will find a floor scrubber rather easy to operate – you can either push it from behind or ride it across the area to be cleaned, depending upon whether you have a push floor scrubber or a ride-on one. Either variety reduces the amount of effort that the operator has to exert and enables a larger surface area to be cleaned in a smaller amount of time, saving time and manpower.

To find out more about floor scrubbers, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.scielifts.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Product Showcase: Clark Focus II Riding Autoscrubber | Corona, CA

When you have a lot of square footage to clean, there are many ways poor choices can not only waste manpower but can also cost you money. It may be a university building, a hotel, grocery stores, even a simple restaurant – during these very extraordinarily sanitized days, it is important that we have the ideal machine to not only save time and manpower, but also the patrons of our establishment. For these still uncertain days, we have the ideal machine for you and your floors – the Clark Focus II Mid-Size Riding Autoscrubber.

Similar to its stand-behind brother, this scrubber has all of the flash but none of the complications. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that make this riding scrubber the best choice for you:

BOOST technology. BOOST Technology is a green way to remove floor finish without the use of chemicals. By using BOOST, you cannot reduce your water usage, but the squared pad design helps to get in the corners, making it a time and money saver.

Three-disc models. Available in 28 and 34-inch discs, and a 28-inch BOOST disc version, these models are perfect for a daily scrub. Because it is powered by two heavy-duty brush motors, it helps reduce manpower. If you have uneven floors, this is the model for you for an all-over clean.

Bonus features. A tight turning radius makes this model a fantastic option for those floors that have lots of corners and edges. An increased down pressure is a definite asset as it will only take a single pass for your flooring to sparkle like the Chrysler Building. And a quiet motor makes this machine perfect to clean floors at any time of day, without disturbing the business conducted as you clean.

To find out more about the Clark Focus II Mid-Size Riding Scrubber, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.scielifts.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.

Do I Clean My Floors with Regular Soap? | Corona, CA

When you have the daunting task of keeping a large building or structure clean, the floors are generally your biggest issue. After all, countless people are walking on your floors, and it is imperative that you keep them sparkling clean. Rather than doing the floors by hand, wasting time and energy, you have purchased yourself a floor scrubber. Now your workload has shrunken by at least half. What a relief! But wait…what soap does the thing use? It depends on what you’re keeping clean.

Because every building and occupant is different, there is no one soap that works across the board. If you are keeping a hospital clean, you wouldn’t need the same soap as say, a mechanic’s garage. Make sure you check the instructions. They are there for a reason – to protect the equipment so you can use it for as long as possible. But it is a good rule of thumb to use a low-foam detergent. Foam in the recovery tank will get into the vac motor and damage it. If this is happening, you may need to use de-foamer in the recovery tank.

While some amount of cleaner is good to remove dirt, in most instances, when just cleaning a dusty warehouse floor, less detergent is usually okay. That’s why you have a machine – to do the grunt work. Give the solution some dwell time on the floor so that the solution has time to work. Then go back with the scrubber. If you haven’t had a floor scrubber before, you may have to make a couple passes the first time to get it clean.

To find out more about floor cleaner, please contact us at (951)735-2905 or visit www.scielifts.com.

Southern California Industrial Equipment proudly serves Corona and all surrounding areas.