Floor Scrubbers Key Terms

Get the clean and simple on floor scrubber key terms

By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer

Floor scrubbers are an essential for most business maintenance departments. From large industrial plants to the a two-room office, floor scrubbers are used on hard wood floors, linoleum, marble, and even carpet. Use the knowledge of a few basic definitions when it comes to floor scrubbers and their uses to better understand what you need. From the different types of polishes to automatic, cylindrical and disk scrubbers, there are many terms to understand.

Auto-scrubber

The term auto-scrubber refers to the machine's capability of using cleaning solution and collecting the solution after it is used. Once the floor is scrubbed with the solution, it is picked up by the machine and kept in storage so the floor is dry when done.
Try: Review a brief definition of auto-scrubber and other floor cleaning terms at Essential Industries.

Pre-dilution, pre-diluted

Floor cleaning products can come in a pre-diluted form meaning the cleaning chemical has already been broken down to its correct dose by adding water.
Try: Find an explanation of pre-dilution at HydraQuip's glossary of floor cleaning terms.

Cylindrical and disk

There are two main types of scrubbers: cylindrical and disk scrubber. Cylindrical scrubbers use brushes to sweep debris up into a tray and wash the floor at the same time. A disk scrubber does the washing and waxing with pads or brushes that rotate. If using a disk scrubber, debris needs to be swept up before hand.
Try: Read over a description of disk and cylindrical scrubbers at Caliber Equipment. They provide definitions and examples of how each type of floor scrubber works.

Topical polisher

A topical polisher is a polish added to the floor scrubbing process. Some machines can handle the polish as part of their complete cleaning process, while others need to finish with the topical polisher to create a shiny protective coat on a floor.
Try: The Floor Scrubbers blog explains topical polisher and how it should be used.

Self polishing finish

A self polishing or dry bright finish as sometimes called, finish is a basic cleaning chemical designed to dry with a high shiny gloss, thus eliminating the need to buff it.
Try: Coastwide Laboratories provides a definition of self polishing finish.

Ec-H2O

Ec-H2O is an electronic process designed to turn ordinary water into a cleaning solution. The process is used in floor scrubber machines that make cleaning your floors environmentally friendly as well.
Try: Find out more on how Tennant has developed the ec-H20 technology and how water can be used without chemicals to clean your floors.