The Evolution Of Autoscrubbers - Key Features

This article was originally published in Cleaning & Maintenance Management.

Today's automatic scrubbers offer a variety of features and benefits to satisfy diverse cleaning applications, including:

• Greener: This applies to the types of chemicals used, as well as chemical and water usage. Today’s machines use less water and chemical, especially cylindrical brush systems.
• Safer: These machines are now safer for both the operator and others in the facility in which the machine is being used. Some of today’s automatic scrubbers have easy-access digital controls and greater visibility than older models, allowing users of varying heights to operate them. More machines are also fitted with solenoid technology to control water flow. In the past, water could continue to flow from these machines even when turned off, which was wasteful and increased the chances of a slip-and-fall accident. Now, water flows only when the machine is in use.
• Easier to service: A key advance in some floor machines is that they are now easier to service; operators can even handle many minor repair issues themselves.
• Manufactured with fewer parts: Some machines have fewer mechanical parts now and that reducing the number of parts has also reduced the overall cost of ownership of some automatic scrubbers.

Check back next week for Part III in this series to learn about future trends of automatic scrubbers.

Using Automatic Scrubbers To Remove Grit And Soil

This article was originally published in CleanLink.

Automatic scrubbers can be used on floors in many different ways as they are designed to reduce time and effort spent on floor care, while increasing performance and productivity. When used in a green cleaning program they are effective because they apply consistent, clean, solution to the floor, mechanically agitate the dirt, and then the dirt and solution are physically removed with a vacuum system. This is typically done in one pass. Even with the advancements in mopping technology, this process cannot be duplicated with a mop and bucket.

Be sure to size the unit appropriately to the area being cleaned and the surfaces the unit will be required to maintain. Cylindrical style brushes are far and away the most versatile, cost effective and results producing option available today for any green cleaning operation. Add water/solution savings and less abrasion to floor surfaces and this will be your best starting point. Additionally, you should only purchase sealed/maintenance free batteries.

The major advantage to automatic scrubbers is the remove of dirt and grit from floors and they do it very quickly. This makes them the perfect daily floor cleaning tool. When you add in the fact that when adjusted and used properly, most styles and models leave the floor instantly dry, reducing the risks of someone slipping, it becomes apparent why they truly are the best practice for daily floor cleaning in any green program.

The squeegee is the business end of any unit and therefore it is very important to remove dry debris, grit and soil from the floors. When storing the unit after use it is extremely necessary to remove the squeegee bar, clean and inspect the blades and store the squeegee on a shelf and not on the machine. This tip will ensure the squeegee is capable of producing the results the entire unit was purchased for.

Automatic scrubbers can be used on floors in many different ways as they are designed to reduce time and effort spent on floor care, while increasing performance and productivity. When used in a Green cleaning program they are effective because they apply consistent, clean, solution to the floor, mechanically agitate the dirt, and then the dirt and solution are physically removed with a vacuum system. This is typically done in one pass. Even with the advancements in mopping technology, this process cannot be duplicated with a mop and bucket.
Be sure to size the unit appropriately to the area being cleaned and the surfaces the unit will be required to maintain. Cylindrical style brushes are far and away the most versatile, cost effective and results producing option available today for any Green cleaning operation. Add water/solution savings and less abrasion to floor surfaces and this will be your best starting point. Additionally, you should only purchase sealed/maintenance free batteries.
The major advantage to automatic scrubbers is the remove of dirt and grit from floors and they do it very quickly. This makes them the perfect daily floor cleaning tool. When you add in the fact that when adjusted and used properly, most styles and models leave the floor instantly dry, reducing the risks of someone slipping, it becomes apparent why they truly are the best practice for daily floor cleaning in any Green program.
The squeegee is the business end of any unit and therefore it is very important to remove dry debris, grit and soil from the floors. When storing the unit after use it is extremely necessary to remove the squeegee bar, clean & inspect the blades and store the squeegee on a shelf and not on the machine. This tip will ensure the squeegee is capable of producing the results the entire unit was purchased for.
- See more at: http://cleanlink.com/cleanlinkminute/details/Using-Automatic-Scrubbers-To-Remove-Grit-And-Soil--38435#sthash.5kKNxmPS.dpu

Automatic scrubbers can be used on floors in many different ways as they are designed to reduce time and effort spent on floor care, while increasing performance and productivity. When used in a Green cleaning program they are effective because they apply consistent, clean, solution to the floor, mechanically agitate the dirt, and then the dirt and solution are physically removed with a vacuum system. This is typically done in one pass. Even with the advancements in mopping technology, this process cannot be duplicated with a mop and bucket.
Be sure to size the unit appropriately to the area being cleaned and the surfaces the unit will be required to maintain. Cylindrical style brushes are far and away the most versatile, cost effective and results producing option available today for any Green cleaning operation. Add water/solution savings and less abrasion to floor surfaces and this will be your best starting point. Additionally, you should only purchase sealed/maintenance free batteries.
The major advantage to automatic scrubbers is the remove of dirt and grit from floors and they do it very quickly. This makes them the perfect daily floor cleaning tool. When you add in the fact that when adjusted and used properly, most styles and models leave the floor instantly dry, reducing the risks of someone slipping, it becomes apparent why they truly are the best practice for daily floor cleaning in any Green program.
The squeegee is the business end of any unit and therefore it is very important to remove dry debris, grit and soil from the floors. When storing the unit after use it is extremely necessary to remove the squeegee bar, clean & inspect the blades and store the squeegee on a shelf and not on the machine. This tip will ensure the squeegee is capable of producing the results the entire unit was purchased for.
- See more at: http://cleanlink.com/cleanlinkminute/details/Using-Automatic-Scrubbers-To-Remove-Grit-And-Soil--38435#sthash.5kKNxmPS.dpu

The Advantages Of Offering Green Cleaning

This article was originally published in Cleaning & Maintenance Management. 

As a custodial professional, either in-house or by contract, you spend a lot of time focused on the bottom line. Any change to your brand or your service has to either save you time and money or differentiate your business enough to make the effort worthwhile. A certified green cleaning service can be one of those differentiators. Adding sustainability to your portfolio can improve your service and set you apart from competitors.

The GS-42 Certification

The green cleaning policy requirement in the new LEED EBOM Version 4 has two options: Either the building must have an in-house cleaning policy, or it must be cleaned by in-house staff or a building service contractor (BSC) that is certified under GS-42 or Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings (CIMS-GB). Green Seal is the non-profit, independent organization behind GS-42 certification, and we’ve seen a steady increase in demand for certified green cleaning services across the board. This trend can be attributed to a number of factors.

Saving Time

First, green cleaning can save an operation time, and we all know time is money. Following the procedures for regular maintenance and quick attention to spills can prevent lost hours from breakdowns and special treatment later. Better training and working conditions results in greater staff satisfaction and retention, meaning less of your time is spent recruiting, hiring and retraining. This addresses one of the largest controllable expenses most companies face.

Saving Money
Green cleaning can save you money. Although sustainable cleaning involves much more than just using green products, when you switch to certified green cleaning chemicals you will be able to reduce the number of products needed in inventory, thus lowering your investment in supplies. And offering a green cleaning program will usually lead to more efficient processes and procedures. Greater efficiency means more time available to clean more square footage which puts more money straight onto your bottom line.

Read the full article here to learn more about the advantages of green cleaning. 

Green Meets Clean with Stand-On Scrubbing

Clean green and still meet the highest expecations for clean floors with the new SC1500™ stand-on scrubber, equipped with the standard onboard EcoFlex™ System. The EcoFlex System controls the consumption of detergent so effectively that real savings can be gained without compromising performance. 

With a single button, effortlessly switch between chemical-free cleaning or select from weak to strong cleaning intensities to match cleaning performance to the soil on the floor and the required level of clean.

If there is more soil on the floor, operators can activate the “burst of power” for extra cleaning performance and easily return to the original settings for minimum usage of water, detergent and power. 

For more information on the EcoFlex System, visit www.advance-us.com/solutions/ecoflex.aspx.

How To Spot Green Floor Maintenance Equipment

This article was originally published in Contracting Profits. 

How do you know if a machine is considered green when there are no green certifications for floor maintenance equipment?

Our very own Scott Keller, Education/Commercial Buildings Vertical Market Manager for Nilfisk–Advance, Inc. gives his take:

"For scrubbers you should analyze specifications related to water flow, chemical dilution ratios and sound levels. Also scrubbers that afford you the possibility of an onboard chemical dilution system are much more green than pre-mixing water and chemical in the solution tank. While it’s nice to reduce water and chemical usage if you are unable to actually remove dirt from the cleaning surface you are not really achieving a “green” facility."

Read the full article to see additional responses from industry experts.

School Flooring Matters

This article was originally published by American School & University.

In education facilities, from preschools and K-12 schools to colleges and universities, most decisions are made with the well-being and development of students in mind. A positive learning atmosphere contributes to student happiness and productivity, so using sustainable products with efficient maintenance profiles can play a big role in achieving a healthful space.

Architects, designers, facility managers, principals, superintendents and other building officials typically do not consult students directly to see what their preferences would be for a renovation or expansion. However, there are products that can please students’ senses and help them develop in a healthful and prosperous environment.

Maintenance Challenges

One major component of the material selection is the flooring’s cleaning requirements and how efficiently it can be maintained given limited manpower and time. Some rubber floor coverings can be maintained without applying any waxes or finishes, an attractive benefit for schools looking to save on labor time and costs:

• In areas such as entranceways and corridors, floors are cleaned on a regular basis, whereas in other areas like classrooms and laboratories, maintenance can be sporadic, leaving those spaces dirty and in need of attention.
• Classrooms are busy areas that endure frequent changeover of students and teachers. With desks, chairs and other obstacles present in classrooms, achieving a clean floor is a great challenge. Often, classrooms are cleaned thoroughly only during semester breaks or the summer because many floor coverings require the time to clean, strip, buff and wax the flooring—a process that can take days. 
• Corridors receive more maintenance attention, because they can be cleaned more frequently and without having to displace any furniture. Whether it is an atrium in a student union building at a university or a main hallway in a populated high school, corridors are highly trafficked areas that need to possess the durability to hold up to heavy footsteps and tracked-in elements. 
• Cafeterias and food-service areas require a clean profile in education facilities. Not only are they busy areas that experience a lot of frequent changeover, but also the likelihood of food and drink spills makes having a proper floor covering that much more crucial. 
• The importance of cleanliness in areas such as classrooms and cafeterias cannot be understated, but in education settings, there may no area more imperative to keep clean than laboratories. In biology and chemistry labs, students and staff conduct experiments and projects with potentially volatile chemicals. It is essential to find a maintenance regimen that will limit the amount of toxins and VOCs introduced into the air, as adding waxes and chemicals into labs for maintenance purposes can possibly affect the outcomes of experiments.

Read the full article here to learn more about cleaning and maintenance in education facilities.

Switching To Green Chemicals Worth It For Health Benefits Alone

This article was originally published by CleanLink. 

Not long ago, a floor tech would strip a hard floor utilizing harsh chemicals that required substantial ventilation. They would then apply cross metal interlocked floor finishes that were super durable but came with a price when the stripper slurry was poured down the drain. Use of many of these products has proven to be potentially hazardous to not only the floor tech’s own health but also others in the building.

Cleaning professionals did not understand the full effect of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and the impact they can have on a person’s health. Many of the “old timers” rejected the green friendly chemicals since they do not feel they worked as well as the ones being replaced. The newer products were slower acting due to their lower toxicity.

The other side of the argument is to understand the serious damage done to not only the environment but also an individual’s health as they experienced prolonged exposure to certain products that have been identified as potential poisons. This amounted to slow poisoning with effects only showing up years later. The long term price of utilizing these poisons is too great when compared to the short term benefits of stripping a floor quickly or having a floor that lasts longer.

As the commercial cleaning world embraces green friendly products, one must test and evaluate each chemical to determine how it will accomplish the projected goals. Not all “green” products are actually green; nor are they necessarily effective. Implementation of more scrubbing/recoating instead of stripping/recoating can save not only valuable resources and labor but also have a positive impact on the environment.

To validate green friendly products, one should compare the benefits and liabilities of each one. Question the products claiming to be green and make wise choices for long term benefits. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean…

Cleaning to Fit Any Routine

Floor-cleaning routines are easier with the EcoFlex System, which cleans like you do. Clean low-traffic areas with water only, use ultra-low detergent when you need to, and jump to a burst of power to deep-clean and tackle dirtier areas. Find the routine that works for you. The flexibility to develop a cleaning routine that works for your facility and to make on-the-fly adjustments will help you get the most out of all of your resources.

Economical and ecological. Advance’s EcoFlex System gives you the flexibility to clean your floors more efficiently. By using a system that cleans like you do, you’ll reduce your cost to clean and create a more sustainable cleaning program.

Click here to learn more about EcoFlex, now available on select Advance scrubbers.

Can green, clean and cost control ever get along?

You’ve heard the old saying, “How do you want it—fast, cheap or good? You can choose two.” The message, of course, is that you can’t have everything. But cleaning professionals today are being asked to deliver “everything”—environmental sustainability, high levels of cleanliness AND cost efficiency. So how can they do it all?

According to Ciprus Ltd. LLC, nearly 69% of all commercial floors are hard surfaces. These floors are routinely cleaned and maintained with automatic floor scrubbers that, in the past, were not equipped to handle variable soil loads and different hard surface types. Similarly, buildings with carpet and hard floor surfaces have had to purchase both carpet extractors and hard floor scrubbers to effectively clean their floors.

Maintaining the flexibility to achieve the exact cleanliness level required for different areas, surface types and soil levels with the minimum effort, time and resources is a key to meeting the competing requirements for green, clean and cost-efficient floor cleaning. Three factors that contribute to a flexible floor-scrubbing program are:

• Rotate solutions (water and detergents) for different soils, areas and surface types
• Spend more time cleaning, less time getting ready to clean
• Use fewer machines for more tasks

Download the white paper to take a closer look at these three factors and to learn more about implementing a flexible hard-floor scrubbing program.

Living and Cleaning Green

While green cleaning typically involves practices aimed at reducing chemical, water and energy use, it also means finding new ways to clean quickly and easily—saving time and money. Adding sustainability goals to green cleaning results in a program that is also designed to help maintain the life of the building so that floor surfaces (and many other components) have the longest possible useful lives—which, in turn, minimizes resource consumption and waste stream contributions.

As the industry's floor cleaning equipment expert, Advance is right where you'd expect us to be...at the forefront of green cleaning innovation and technology. We support the growing movement to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning and improve the quality of life. That's why we're providing you with the information and floor cleaning equipment you need to clean green.

Green cleaning doesn't just mean reducing impact on the environment. It means finding new ways to clean quickly and easily, while saving time and money. For example, our quieter floor machines allow cleaning during business hours, thus reducing overtime hours and cost. Our floor cleaning equipment features ergonomic design that reduces worker fatigue. Through product innovation and an understanding of our customers' green cleaning efforts; we have developed the most complete line of green floor cleaning machines in the industry, including commercial vacuums, carpet extractors, and burnishers. For a closer look at how Advance defines and delivers green cleaning, download our Green Cleaning Equipment brochure. We also have a variety of other green resources, including more information on regulations and standards and sustainability.

How "Clean" is Your Green Floor Cleaning?

The goal of today’s green cleaning movement is to minimize impact on the environment, building occupants and cleaning personnel. One result has been a reduction in the use of potentially harmful chemicals when scrubbing hard floors in commercial and institutional settings. Intuitively, it might seem that the “greenest” cleaning is done with no chemicals at all.

However, maintenance staffs still need to meet the standard of clean required for their facilities—whether that standard is simply “cleaning for appearance” or a more stringent requirement for disinfection in hospitals and even schools to combat viral threats such as MRSA and H1N1.

Every floor cleaning challenge is different, and rarely is there a “one-clean-fits-all” solution. Download this paper to learn today’s myriad requirements for green and for clean, in relation to the hard floors found in schools, healthcare facilities, retail stores, office buildings and similar sites.

Green Trends Not to Be Ignored

This article was originally published in ISSA.

Not so many years ago, distributors of commercial cleaning products would only venture to stock a handful of green chemical cleaners, and often, there was little or no demand for these products.

Fast forward to today, and it is an entirely different picture. In a recent survey conducted by ISSA and Sanitary Maintenance magazine, distributors reported that almost one-third of their total sales were green cleaning products, and they covered the gamut of commercial cleaning products—chemical cleaners, powered equipment, paper and plastics, and every other janitorial product.

While this statistic is a wonderful testament to green cleaning gaining traction in the marketplace, the cleaning industry (and green cleaning market in particular) will continue to evolve and take on new characteristics in the near future. Changes to green building certifications, new green cleaning products, purchasers’ demand for transparency, and a greater focus on cleaning for health will all affect the green cleaning marketplace.

Read the full article here to assess the future direction of green cleaning and learn how the green building market is growing.

Making Sense of Green Cleaning

“Green cleaning” is a term heard everywhere these days — but what does it mean?

Philosophically, the goal of green cleaning is to minimize the impact of cleaning on the environment and human health. In practice, green cleaning aims to reduce the use of chemicals, water and energy. And, ideally, green cleaning maintains or even improves the effectiveness of cleaning programs.

Green cleaning has become increasingly popular in schools, healthcare facilities, manufacturing and warehouse facilities, and many other building types, and the trend is expected to continue. But exactly how does one go about the job of green cleaning and, specifically, green floor cleaning?

Whether you are a facility manager or a building service contractor (BSC), this guide provides clear and basic information that can start you on the path toward environmentally friendly floor cleaning.

Download the full guide to get started on your "green" floor maintenance program.

What Does Green Cleaning Mean to You?

Green cleaning doesn't just mean reducing impact on the environment. It means finding new ways to clean quickly and easily, while saving time and money. For example, our quieter floor machines allow cleaning during business hours, thus reducing overtime hours and cost. Our floor cleaning equipment features ergonomic design that reduces worker fatigue. We utilize gel batteries in many machines to avoid contact with battery acid. Our Smart Solutions technologies support water conservation, reduced chemical exposure and many other safety and environmental features add up to time savings initiatives for you. For more information on both the economic and environmental benefits of going green, read our whitepaper, Making Sense of Green Cleaning.

Through product innovation and an understanding of our customers' green cleaning efforts; we have developed the most complete line of green floor cleaning machines in the industry, including commercial vacuums, carpet extractors, and burnishers. For a closer look at how Advance defines and delivers green cleaning, download our Green Cleaning Equipment brochure. We also have a variety of other green resources, including more information on regulations and standards and sustainability.

Can Green, Clean and Cost Control Ever Get Along?

You’ve heard the old saying, “How do you want it—fast, cheap or good? You can choose two.” The message, of course, is that you can’t have everything. But cleaning professionals today are being asked to deliver “everything”—environmental sustainability, high levels of cleanliness and cost efficiency. So how can they do it all?

Maintaining the flexibility to achieve the exact cleanliness level required for different areas, surface types and soil levels with the minimum effort, time and resources is a key to meeting the competing requirements for green, clean and cost-efficient floor cleaning. Here are three factors that contribute to a flexible floor scrubbing program:

1. Rotate solutions (water and detergents) for different soils, areas and surface types.
2. Spend more time cleaning, less time getting ready to clean
3. Use fewer machines for more tasks

Learn more about flexible hard-floor scrubbing programs here.

The Greener Clean: Current Trends in Industrial Floor Scrubber Technology

This article was originally published by Industrial Utility Vehicle & Mobile Equipment Magazine

With today's emphasis on sustainability and LEED certifications, floor cleaning equipment is evolving to adapt to current industry trends. Traditional mop and bucket cleaning is being replaced with efficient, versatile scrubbing machines to satisfy sustainability goals. Floors scrubbers can now perform more functions while utilizing fewer resources. Operating with less water and detergent, as well as requiring less labor and machines to complete tough cleaning challenges, floor cleaning equipment can now provide superior cleaning results without additional costs.

By understanding what 'green cleaning' encompasses and knowing available floor scrubbing capabilities that promote these strategies, facility managers must select cleaning equipment that meets their industrial requirements while still satisfying their green initiatives.

Read the full article here to learn more sustainable cleaning and green capabilities of industrial floor scrubbers.

Driving Down the Environmental Cost to Clean

For a green cleaning solution to be truly effective, the solution must successfully satisfy both parts of this phrase: the solution must be environmentally friendly while delivering the standard of cleaning required for your application. Ideally, green cleaning will minimize environmental and human-health impacts, while maintaining or even improving cleaning effectiveness.

While green cleaning typically involves practices aimed at reducing chemical, water and energy use, it also means finding new ways to clean quickly and easily—saving time and money. Adding sustainability goals to green cleaning results in a program that is also designed to help maintain the life of the building so that floor surfaces (and many other components) have the longest possible useful lives—which, in turn, minimizes resource consumption and waste stream contributions.

Share your green cleaning solutions with us!

The Difference Between Green And Sustainability

This article was originally published by Housekeeping Solutions.

The words sustainable and green are often used interchangeably. But being "green" and being "sustainable" is not the same thing.

The federal government defines green as "products and services that reduce health and environmental impacts compared to similar products and services used for the same purpose," says Steve Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group and chairman of the Sustainability Dashboard.

Sustainability, on the other hand, can be represented with a three-legged stool having a leg for environmental, social and financial responsibility, according to Jim Newman, owner of Newman Consulting Group.

"With green, our consideration about people and staff is limited to direct exposures from products or services," says Ashkin. "Sustainability is a much broader term that talks about the implications of those products and services used over a much longer period of time, and considers social and financial impacts as well."

So what does this mean to custodial operations? It means they must define their green/sustainability goals, implement these changes and then measure their success.

Read the full article here, or learn how Advance defines green cleaning. 

Flexible Cleaning: Cleaning Performance for Specific Areas

It’s well known that high-traffic areas such as entryways and lobbies get particularly dirty. Some of today’s latest scrubbers allow operators to temporarily increase cleaning aggressiveness for specific problem areas. For instance, Advance’s EcoFlex™ System includes a “burst of power” button that automatically increases detergent, solution flow and brush pressure for 60 seconds in order to deliver greater scrubbing power for heavily soiled areas. This helps to eliminate time- and labor-intensive double-scrubbing that can be required if using a single-mode (low-flow or water-only) scrubber.

Now that we have discussed how advanced automatic scrubbers can provide flexible cleaning for your facility, try one out for yourself! Visit http://www.advance-us.com to learn more or contact us info@advance-us.com with any questions.

Flexible Cleaning: Detergent Dilution Ratio

Today’s floor chemicals are usually diluted at a ratio of 128:1 (128 parts water to 1 part detergent). This ratio is suitable to cleaning heavily soiled floors but can be excessive for routine cleaning applications.

To minimize chemical use, some recent floor machines include an ultra-low detergent mode suitable for normal cleaning. For example, Advance’s EcoFlex™ System is capable of dispensing detergent at a 400:1 ratio for routine cleaning of moderately soiled floors. This ratio enhances the natural cleaning power of water and break surface tension. In addition to providing green-cleaning results, this mode saves at least 50 percent in detergent costs and leaves behind a light, just-cleaned scent, which water cannot equally produce. Advanced floor scrubbing machines also feature onboard detergent-metering systems, which allows users to fill a tank with a cleaning product, set a selector to match the manufacturer’s suggested dilution ratio and insert the tank into the scrubber. This eliminates operator guesswork and ensures that detergent is dispensed at the proper dilution ratio.

Need to clean an area that requires a bit more scrub power? Next week we will look at automatic scrubber features that produce the necessary cleaning performance for specific areas.