Portable Floor Cleaning Equipment Key Terms

Give a shining impression by learning the ABCs of portable floor cleaning equipment

By Lisa Wilsbacher

Whether you do it yourself or hire a service, floor maintenance is an often overlooked aspect of business and office upkeep. Appearances are paramount and well-kept floors can make a lasting impression on potential and current employees and clients. From buffers to vacuums, knowing the types of portable floor cleaning equipment and what is needed for your floor covering will help stay on top of your floor care needs.

Buffer

Floor buffers polish uncarpeted floors. Some models also include a tank and special pads to wash or wax the floor. Buffers often include changable pads for removing scratches and bring a gloss to a variety of flooring types, including hardwood, vinyl and linoleum. Some low-speed varieties can also serve double duty as carpet cleaners.
Try: CleanLink gives information on the differences between high and low speed buffers and what type of business can benefit from each.

Scrubber

Floor scrubber machines use brushes to wash and scrub large areas of non-carpeted floors, usually in industrial, commercial or institution settings. These scrubbers vary from manual or automated walk-behind units to larger ride-on units.
Try: Caliber Equipment gives information on the usage of cylindrical and disk scrubbers.

Stripper

A floor stripper works both chemically and mechanically to remove floor finishes, including excess wax build up. These machines come in a wide range of models, including electric and gas/propane powered.
Try: BuyerZone.com offers a buying guide for floor stripping machines, discussing methods, applications and accessories.

Steamer

Floor steamers can refer to equipment for both carpeted and non-carpeted flooring. Carpet steamers deep clean, removing stains and deep ground dirt. The hot steam can also help to lower levels of allergens and molds.
Try: Allergy Consumer Review gives an explanation of how steam cleaning works.

Vacuum

Vacuums remove small and large debris through suction. Many can remove debris from both carpeted and non-carpeted floors. Vacuums used for carpeted floors usually include a rotating brush to dislodge debris from carpet pile. With a variety of styles, including upright, canister and handheld, you should be able to find a vacuum to fit your cleaning needs.
Try: Home Depot offers a buying guide outlining several types of vacuums to aid in choosing the style best for your needs.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are included in many of the latest vacuum models to help those suffering from asthma and indoor allergies. These filters claim to remove 99.97% of airborne particles, such as pollen, mold spores, bacteria and dust mites that are 0.3 micrometres or larger.
Try: FILT AIR provides an in depth explanation of the HEPA filter functions and abilities.