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Trends and directions: 3 ideas in hard floor care
Although floor care equipment has been slow to change, several manufacturers have focused recent development on improving ergonomics, safety, productivity and economics, while reducing environmental impacts. Facility service providers (FSPs) should consider the following innovations:
Cylindrical brush technology
Counter-rotating cylindrical brushes, mounted on each end of the machine, can clean uneven floor surfaces better than a rotary buffer. Cylindrical brush machine's also require less training for the user, are easier and safer to use, and use less chemical and water.
Passive/active vacuum systems
The agitation of high-speed burnishers can cause pollutants to become airborne.
Active systems have a vacuum cleaner motor built-in to the floor machine to capture particulates; passive systems use the floor machines own motor to vacuum up dust and debris. Both systems help improve indoor air quality, and protect the health of the cleaning worker.
Curved floor squeegees
Compared to straight squeegees, curved floor squeegees tend to conform better to a variety of floor surfaces, help lift the soiled water into the waste water tank, and offer better suction.
Additionally, FSPs should look for push/pull squeegees, which allow pick-up in either forward or reverse directions.
Dust Control
How do you control dust? Do your cleaning staff simply move it around and, subsequently, push it into the air?
- Try wet wiping. Wet wiping allows the dust to cling to the cleaning cloth instead of merely moving it from one place to another or sending it up into the air. And invest in microfibre cloths. Microfibre cloths only have to be minimally moist due to the fact that their absorbent fibres collect large amounts of dust.
- Do you prevent dust, dirt and debris from entering your buildings? You should. Walk-off mats that extend for at least five or six steps are great attracters of unwanted material. This simple practice can stop much of the dust and dirt in its tracks before it has a chance to enter a building. This particulate matter can aggravate asthma and allergies and serve as a breeding ground for mould.