Multi-Surface Floor Cleaning: The Best Facilities For Combination Machines

In this article, industry manufacturers answer common questions asked by building service contractors.

What are the best facilities to use combination floor/carpet equipment? (type of market, size, etc.)

There is no specific facility in which it is better to use a combination floor/carpet machine. Buildings with significant amounts of hard and soft floor surfaces tend to be most well suited for a combination machine. Our experience indicates that schools, universities, retail stores, hospitals and some hospitality establishments are those which most frequently have this type of mix in hard and soft surfaces. Office buildings can also be conducive to this type of machine, again depending on whether there is enough hard and soft surfaces to warrant a dual purpose machine.

— Scott Keller, vertical market manager–commercial buildings, Bob Abrams, product manager, Brian Simmons, product manager, Clarke, Plymouth, Minn.

One of the key benefits of using a “multi” wash machine, one that can be used to clean both carpets and hard-surface floors, is that the user must only purchase one machine to clean two types of surfaces. This can be a significant savings and one reason may schools select these machines. Additionally, one machine for two surfaces can improve worker productivity. There is less downtime pulling another machine into service.

Further, they can be very effective when cleaning smaller areas such as restrooms or smaller facilities in general.

— Jolynn Kennedy, marketing director, Tornado Industries, West Chicago, Ill.

Can combination floor/carpet equipment be used on carpet tiles?

Yes, combination hard floor/carpet machine, can be used on carpet tiles. A few carpet tile manufacturers recommend only the dry powder extraction method on their carpet tiles because they feel that repeated use of water can alter the performance of the glue on the tiles. Most carpet manufacturers recognize that hot water extraction is needed at least periodically to keep the carpet tiles clean.

— Scott Keller, vertical market manager–commercial buildings, Bob Abrams, product manager, Brian Simmons, product manager, Clarke, Plymouth, Minn.

Yes, as a matter of fact, some carpet tiles recommend using these types of machines.

— Jolynn Kennedy, marketing director, Tornado Industries, West Chicago, Ill.