| One of the first add-on services most cleaning | | | | designed to keep that glossy look that makes floors |
| contractors want to add to their janitorial service is | | | | look so great. High speeds have rear wheels that are |
| floor care - stripping and waxing, burnishing, and | | | | fixed and remain in contact with the floor at all times, |
| buffing. In order to perform these services, you | | | | unlike the slow speed buffer. |
| must use the right equipment for the job. | | | | Pad and Brushes: Pads are the most popular choice |
| The following is a list of the most commonly used | | | | when using your hard floor machine. Manufacturers |
| equipment that cleaning contractors use in floor care. | | | | use a color-coded system to help you identify the |
| Equipment is either electric, battery-operated, or | | | | type of pad you need to use. Colors may vary by |
| propane. Most cleaning contractors will use electric | | | | manufacturer, but the darker colors are more |
| equipment in smaller cleaning accounts and office | | | | aggressive, with black being the most aggressive. |
| buildings. Propane equipment is most often used on | | | | The lighter colors are less aggressive, with white |
| large floor areas such as those in retail stores and | | | | being the least aggressive. |
| grocery stores. | | | | Be sure to use the right pad for the job (Note - |
| Slow Speed Buffer (also known as a side-by-side or | | | | colors vary by manufacturer): |
| swing machine). Slow speed machines are used for a | | | | * White Pad: Light dry polishing or light spray buffing |
| variety of tasks including stripping floors, scrubbing | | | | for high gloss. |
| floors, sanding wood floors, and carpet cleaning using | | | | * Aqua Pad: Ideal for high-frequency, high gloss |
| cotton bonnets. They come in sizes ranging from 13" | | | | burnishing programs on softer floor finishes. |
| (for use in tight areas) to 20", and have a speed | | | | * Ultra Champagne Pad: Designed for low to |
| ranging from 175 rpm to 300 rpm. You can also add a | | | | moderate burnishing programs on harder floor finishes. |
| solution tank to a slow speed machine. This allows | | | | * Natural Hair Pad: Natural hair and synthetic fiber pad |
| chemical to be applied through the drive unit. Some | | | | works well on a wide variety of floor finishes and |
| machines come with rear wheels that flip up so it can | | | | traffic conditions. |
| stand directly on the brush or pad, and fold-down | | | | * Green Scrubbing: Ideal for heavy-duty scrubbing or |
| handles that make it easier to transport. | | | | light stripping |
| High Speed Buffer/Burnisher. High speed machines are | | | | * Black Stripping: For heavy duty stripping. |
| used for spray buffing, dry buffing, and burnishing | | | | Brushes are a great alternative to pads when |
| hard floors, and are usually 17 - 28" in diameter. They | | | | choosing what to use for stripping, scrubbing, or |
| have a speed ranging from 1000 rpm to 2700 rpm. | | | | polishing. They are more expensive initially, but will |
| These machines are used in floor care programs | | | | out-last pads 10 to 1. |