Choosing the Best Commercial Floor Scrubbers for Your Facility
2025 Update

Selecting the optimal floor scrubber is essential to organizing your cleaning program. Typically, the most effective floor scrubber is the one that reduces labor expenses, enabling your employees to efficiently fulfill their duties and create time for other responsibilities. The savings in labor achieved by utilizing a wider floor scrubber will easily compensate for the extra upfront cost of the larger equipment.

This article will provide information on important factors when choosing floor cleaning equipment. We will also present a comprehensive guide to the different options available. Also, we'll talk about our services in helping you plan your cleaning program.

What's New in this Update?

In 2024, Hillyard introduced significant updates to its scrubber product offerings, including the launch of the new Sentry line of automatic scrubbers. With these changes, facilities now have more tailored options to choose from based on their specific cleaning needs.

Trident Equipment

The Trident line is Hillyard's flagship series, built to deliver exceptional performance in high-demand cleaning environments. Designed with advanced technology, these machines offer features like touchscreen controls, programmable cleaning zones, and onboard video tutorials to enhance efficiency and user experience. Their rugged construction ensures long-term durability, while options like orbital or cylindrical decks and fleet management integration provide unmatched versatility.

Sentry Equipment

Introduced in 2024, Hillyard's Sentry line delivers cost-effective floor scrubbers that maintain essential performance and reliability. Designed for daily use in environments like retail stores, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions, these machines feature durable construction and simplified operation. Models such as the Sentry 201B and 202T offer user-friendly controls, eco modes for reduced water and energy consumption, and quiet operation suitable for noise-sensitive areas. With a range of options from compact micro-scrubbers to larger ride-on units, the Sentry line provides dependable cleaning solutions in an economical package.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Floor Scrubber

• Job Size: When considering a floor scrubber, it is important to consider the job size, specifically the daily floor space that needs cleaning. The table below can help you determine the most suitable floor scrubber for your needs.

• Space Constraints: When choosing a floor scrubber, consider space constraints. Make sure the scrubber will fit through doorways, in check-out aisles, and in elevators. Look at the dimensions of each scrubber on its catalog sheet to help you decide.
• Building Layout: The third factor to consider is the building layout. If there are hallways or aisles that need scrubbing, the most effective floor scrubber will reduce the number of passes required. Refer to the table below to understand the impact of cleaning path width on the number of passes needed to clean a hallway or aisle.

More is more when it comes to floor scrubbers

If your budget allows and you don't have issues with space constraints, always opt for the highest productivity and largest cleaning path you can handle. Additionally, you should opt for riders instead of walk-behind scrubbers. Reduced labor costs will quickly save the premium you pay for larger equipment.

Understanding Scrub Deck Options

Depending on the scrubber model, you may need to decide between disc, cylindrical, or orbital scrub decks.

• Disc Scrub Decks: Disc scrub decks effectively scrub even surfaces with substantial pressure. Their maintenance costs are relatively economical, and they offer the flexibility to interchange brushes with different levels of abrasiveness or incorporate specialized brush pads. However, before using a disc scrubber, it is important to ensure that floors are clear of small debris.
• Cylindrical Scrub Decks: Cylindrical deck floor scrubbers offer distinct advantages in commercial cleaning applications. Their cylindrical brushes are highly effective in sweeping debris while scrubbing. Additionally, these scrubbers tend to be more efficient in handling uneven surfaces, providing a versatile solution for maintaining cleanliness in diverse environments. Combining sweeping and scrubbing capabilities makes cylindrical deck floor scrubbers a time-saving and thorough option for commercial floor maintenance. Cylindrical scrubbers tend to have higher maintenance costs than disc scrubbers.
• Orbital scrubbers stand out for their unique cleaning mechanism that combines orbital motion with high-speed rotation, ensuring efficient and thorough cleaning of various floor surfaces. These machines effectively remove tough stains and grime while using less water. The versatility of orbital scrubbers, ease of use, and ability to reach tight spaces make them an excellent choice.

Get Expert Advice from Hillyard

Hillyard, a prominent nationwide janitorial supply manufacturer and distributor, prides itself on providing personalized and expert guidance to help businesses choose the most suitable floor scrubber for their unique facility needs. With a team of local experts, Hillyard ensures that customers receive insightful recommendations based on their specific requirements and the nature of their floor surfaces. These experts are well-versed in the latest advancements in cleaning technology and are dedicated to assisting clients in making informed decisions to clean at the lowest total cost.

Complete the "I'm Interested" form at the bottom of this page, and a Hillyard representative will reach out to assist you in choosing the ideal floor scrubber for your facility. Benefit from our expertise and industry-leading solutions to enhance your cleaning efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are brushes or pads better for floor scrubbers?

Choosing between brushes and pads for floor scrubbers depends on the specific cleaning needs and the floor surface. Brushes are effective for aggressive scrubbing on tougher surfaces, like concrete or tile, while pads are suitable for more delicate surfaces like vinyl or hardwood. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the flooring type and the scrubbing intensity required for optimal cleaning results.