When you finally get to the point in your business when you’re looking to invest in a commercial floor machine, the options can be a little bit overwhelming. Whether this is the first time you are purchasing floor machines or you have made the purchase before, there are some helpful hints that you need to know that will help make your decision easier.

Just the Basics

Floor machines are typically used to strip or restore floor finishes, clean carpet, or clean and shine hard floors. They are sometimes referred to as swing machines because the counter-clockwise rotation of the machine “swings” the machine from side to side. They can be used in almost any kind of facility. Floor machines must be supplemented with the proper floor machine accessories.

Should You Buy or Lease?

Before making the investment in a floor machine, you may want to consider first the option of leasing. For busy facilities such as movie theatres, office buildings, restaurants, and other places that must be cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis, a floor machine is a good investment. But if your facility doesn’t need cleaning on a regular basis, the expense of purchasing a floor machine may be an unnecessary one.

We suggest taking a look around Worldwide Janitor and looking at the cost of the floor machine plus the accessories you would need to maintain your floors. Then compare that with the cost of leasing a machine and find out which is the best option for you.

Whether you decide to buy or lease, a floor machine should not be used by someone who has not had proper training.

Considering Factors

If you’ve decided that buying a floor machine is the right choice, it’s time to find the one that is ideal for your facility. There are several factors involved in choosing a floor machine.

Machine Size

Floor machines come in the following sizes: 12 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, and 19 inches.

You will want to choose a floor machine that is large enough to get the cleaning done efficiently but small enough to easily maneuver throughout the space. Sixteen or eighteen inches is considered the industry standard, and is probably adequate for most spaces. But it’s possible your space would require larger or smaller. We suggest the following steps to help you decide:

• Before you even begin, you may be able to automatically eliminate the sizes that are too large or too small for your space. For example, the 19” floor machine should be used only on larger spaces, such as convention centers, arenas, or wide hallways.
• Consider your budget: larger floor machines will be more expensive than smaller ones.
• Take inventory of every space that you will need to clean. Don’t forget closets, bathrooms, and other small spaces.
• Find the square footage of each space and convert to inches. Then diagram the space either mentally or on paper to determine how each floor machine would work.

Other Considerations

Get Feedback

If you are replacing older floor machines, ask your staff for feedback as to what was lacking in your old machines. What features did the old machines have that staff liked? What features didn’t they like? What were the machine’s advantages and disadvantages? This will help you choose the right model for you.

RPM

All floor machines available on Worldwide Janitor have a 175 RPM, or 175 rotations per minute.

Power Source

Floor machines can be powered by propane, by battery, or by wall outlet. All floor machines available on Worldwide Janitor are powered by wall outlet. Each floor machine has a 50-foot cord so that you can easily maneuver through various spaces without having to worry about plugging your machine into a different outlet every few minutes. Having an electric cord allows you to clean without having to refill a propane tank or change/recharge a battery.

Floor Type

Before investing in a floor machine, you should consider the kind of floors that you have. Some floors, such as antique hardwood, could be damaged by a floor machine. When considering your floors, don’t forget to take into account each room that you plan to use the machine to clean.

Model Type

Floor machines are usually available in either walk-behind models or riding models. Worldwide Janitor sells walk-behind models of floor machines. Very few businesses would be able to justify the investment in a riding floor machine, and very few businesses need one.

When it comes to cleaning floors, we know how important it is for you to have the resources you need. Whether or not a floor machine is optimum for your team and your facility at this point, we offer a wide variety of floor products to help you get the job done. Check out our commercial floor products, many of which are available in bulk and at discount prices. Easily purchase online so you can get back to what you do best: running your business.