Floor Pads or Brushes: Which is the Better Choice?
An important part of what you do in your cleaning company is to keep your client's floors not only clean, but looking shiny and well cared for. Taking the proper care of floors means using floor machines, and a major component of effective floor cleaning is the pad or brushes used on these machines. So which should you use -- pads or brushes? Making the right decision can save not only time - but also money, which will result in more profit for your cleaning company.
We took an informal survey at TheJanitorialStore.com, asking web site visitors to vote on whether they use pads or brushes when caring for hard floor surfaces. 81% of respondents said they use pads over brushes. Although the results are not surprising, it's an indication that more information needs to be available to cleaning contractors about the advantages of using brushes, as they can save companies money in the long run.
Most floor machines can use either pads or brushes. Since they perform basically the same function, how do you decide which will work best for your cleaning business? There are several considerations that come into play when deciding if you should be using pads or brushes. Both brushes and pads can be a large expense for your cleaning company. The cost of pads is quite a bit lower ($5 to $15 per pad) than the cost of brushes.
Brushes run anywhere from $50 to $250 depending on the size and type of brush you need. However a good quality brush will last a lot longer than a pad. One brush can last as long as 100 pads if you take care of the brush. By making a comparison, there is an obvious cost savings to using brushes - $600 to $1000 on pads versus $50 to $200 for one brush. Your janitorial supplier is aware of this difference and may promote the use of pads over brushes since you'll have to buy the pads from them regularly. Their profit is high when you buy pads, so they really don't care if it's costing you more in the long run.
We converted to brushes many years ago for stripping and scrubbing of hard floor surfaces and have saved hundreds of dollars by doing so. We would never go back to using pads for that process.
There are instances when brushes have a clear advantage over pads. If you are cleaning uneven surfaces or floors that have tile and grout, it makes more sense to use brushes as their bristles will reach into the grout to scrub out soil. Pads are not able to reach into grout to scrub out the soil and grime.
Stripping of a floor requires that you remove all the floor finish. Although you can accomplish this with a black or dark colored pad, Steve Hanson of Brainerd Lakes Cleaning & Supply, has had good luck using brushes. "We converted to brushes many years ago for stripping and scrubbing of hard floor surfaces and have saved hundreds of dollars by doing so. We would never go back to using pads for that process." said Hanson.
Because floor finishes have become more durable and scratch resistant and because pads have more contact with a floor's surface, some cleaning professionals believe that pads are the best alternative for use on smooth floor surfaces like VCT tile. And for floor buffing and burnishing, this is true -- pads still have a place in hard floor care. However a disadvantage to floor pads is that they can build up with finish while stripping a floor so you may need to remove the pad and rinse it out before continuing, or change to a new pad.
Whether you choose a pad or brush, it is important to make sure you have the proper grade for the particular application. For a task such as floor stripping you need the most abrasive pad or brush. A task like burnishing requires a pad that is less abrasive. To remove soil and one coat of finish, select a medium level pad such as a red pad, or use a nylo-grit brush. If you use the wrong pad or brush, you could ruin a floor's finish or it could take twice as long for an employee to do the job, so it's best to match the pad or brush to the floor finish. Most manufacturers color code their pads. Different manufacturers use different colors for least to most aggressive pads. Be sure to read the pad description to make sure to order the proper pads for the task.
It is recommended using the least aggressive pad or brush first. Begin by testing the pad or brush in an inconspicuous area of the floor to make sure to get the result you need. And, remember, to get the most out of equipment and supplies it is important to maintain it properly. Take care of pads and brushes by cleaning them regularly so you can use them over and over again.
Getting the best results for the task requires using the right pad or brush for the job. Each task - stripping, scrubbing, spray buffing and burnishing - may all require a different pad or brush to do the job right. Getting the information about pads and brushes beforehand will help you make the right buying decision and help you perform your jobs faster and more efficiently, which means more profit in your pocket.
Copyright The Janitorial Store. All Rights Reserved
Do You Need Help with Growing and Running Your Cleaning Business?
The Janitorial Store is a private, members-only resource for those serious about starting, improving and growing a profitable cleaning business.
As 30 year veterans of the cleaning industry, we know that the business of cleaning can be incredibly challenging. The competition is fierce and the margins are low. It's a demanding business and it's tough to grow it and make it successful. Within the private members-only area, you'll find a huge selection of in-depth information that you won't find anywhere else on the Internet.
You can struggle or succeed. The decision is obvious... Join Today!
Visit our Store for Certification Training Programs
