Factory Floor Cleaning Machine vs Services: Which is Right For You?

You know that cleaning your factory floor is an important task that impacts the safety, productivity, and longevity of your facility. But with so many different cleaning methods available, deciding between a DIY approach with a professional machine or outsourcing to a service can be overwhelming. 

Owning a factory floor cleaning machine offers cost savings, control, and flexibility, allowing you to respond immediately to spills and debris. On the other hand, outsourcing to factory floor cleaning services means you can keep internal resources focused on what they do best. 

Each approach has its place, but investing in a quality floor cleaning machine often proves more beneficial for factories prioritizing long-term efficiency and effectiveness. That’s why we’re here to help you choose the perfect commercial floor sweeper machine or commercial floor scrubber for your operation.

We not only provide top-tier cleaning equipment from trusted brands but also ensure you have the know-how to maintain pristine factory floors. Discover the ideal machine to keep your operations spotless and streamlined today!

Why Factory Floor Cleaning Cannot Be Taken Lightly

Regardless of how you go about it, keeping your factory flooring clean is not something you can take lightly. It extends far beyond appearance to the safety, efficiency, and productivity of a factory. 

Floors cluttered with debris, dust, or spills become hazardous, increasing the risk of accidents, such as slips, trips, and falls. Regular cleaning mitigates these dangers and safeguards employees and visitors alike.

These same messes can slowly but surely degrade machinery and equipment, leading to costly repairs and downtime. You can prevent this accumulation and prolong equipment life by taking the time to clean floors on a routine basis.

In many factories, especially those involved in food production or precision manufacturing, floor contaminants can compromise product quality. A clean floor helps ensure a contaminant-free production environment.

There’s also the regulatory side of things. Factories are often subject to strict health and safety regulations. A well-maintained floor helps you adhere to these standards so you can avoid legal repercussions and potential fines.

One other often overlooked benefit of keeping your flooring neat and tidy is the impact it has on employee morale. A clean, well-organized environment promotes a sense of professionalism and pride among employees, leading to increased productivity.

We say all this to show you that a productive, effective routine for cleaning your flooring is an investment worth making. Now, the question is just how you’re going to get the job done - yourself or outsourcing. We’ll weigh your options below.

The Appeal of Outsourcing to Factory Floor Cleaning Services

There’s no denying the appeal of factory floor cleaning services, which take this task off your plate entirely and allow your employees to focus on what they do best. 

However, it’s important to consider the drawbacks like ongoing costs and a lack of flexibility. We’ll dissect these considerations later. First, let’s look at the benefits of professional services:

• Expertise and Specialization: Professional cleaning services bring a level of expertise that ensures your factory floor is cleaned to the highest standards. They have experience in handling various types of industrial dirt and contaminants, using specialized methods and equipment to achieve optimal results.
• Advanced Equipment and Techniques: Cleaning services invest in state-of-the-art machinery and stay updated with the latest cleaning technologies. This means they can often clean more effectively and efficiently than in-house methods, especially for tackling stubborn industrial stains or residues.
• Labor and Management Savings: Outsourcing eliminates the need to hire, train, and oversee an internal cleaning team. This can reduce administrative burdens and free up management to focus on core operational activities.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Professional cleaning services can adjust to your factory’s changing needs, scaling up or down as required. Whether it’s adjusting to seasonal demand fluctuations or accommodating increased production schedules, they offer the flexibility to meet your cleaning requirements.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Cleaning services are knowledgeable about regulatory compliance and can help factories meet health and safety standards, reducing the risk of violations and associated costs

The Benefits of Owning a Factory Floor Cleaning Machine

Now, let’s look at the other side of the coin - investing in your own factory floor cleaning machine. This approach offers its own set of compelling benefits, such as:

• Immediate Availability: Having your own equipment means you can clean whenever it's needed, without waiting for a scheduled service. This immediate access is crucial for addressing spills and debris quickly, maintaining a consistently safe and clean environment.
• Customized Cleaning Solutions: Owning a machine allows you to tailor the cleaning process to your specific factory conditions. You can select the appropriate cleaning agents, adjust the machine's settings, and focus on areas that need the most attention, ensuring a thorough clean tailored to your needs.
• Cost Control: While purchasing a machine involves an upfront investment, it can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to the ongoing costs of hiring a cleaning service. You eliminate recurring service fees, gaining control over your cleaning budget.
• Enhanced Productivity: In-house cleaning with your own machine minimizes downtime. Workers can operate the equipment during less busy hours, ensuring that cleaning doesn’t interfere with production activities.
• Long-Term Asset: A cleaning machine is a long-term investment in your facility's maintenance. With proper care, it can serve your needs for 5-10 years, providing value far beyond its initial cost.
• Dependability: Reliance on external cleaning services can sometimes lead to uncertainty, especially if faced with scheduling conflicts or inconsistent quality. Owning your machine eradicates this dependency, ensuring you always have the means to maintain cleanliness.

All these benefits are contingent on getting the best industrial floor sweeper or scrubber, though. Not all equipment is created equal. Don’t worry - we’ll show you some of the best machines on the market in just a few minutes. 

But first, let’s compare and contrast your two options to determine if you should even invest in a factory floor cleaning machine or if you’re better off paying the professionals to handle this task for you.

Cost Analysis and Other Considerations: Which Approach is Best For You?

Choosing between investing in your own equipment and outsourcing to the pros can be simplified through a quick cost analysis. That being said, the financial side of things shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. Here’s what you need to consider…

Initial and Ongoing Costs

The initial investment in a commercial cleaning machine is substantial but results in lower ongoing expenses since you're not paying for service contracts. 

Calculate the total cost of ownership, including purchase price, maintenance, repairs, and operating expenses like cleaning solutions and electricity. You’ll likely discover that paying $5k for a machine makes more sense than spending $500-1,000 every few months perpetually. 

Plus, a cleaning machine is a capital investment that adds value to your asset base. Although it depreciates over time, it can still have a residual value if maintained well. 

Operational Control and Efficiency

Owning a machine offers complete control over the cleaning process, allowing you to respond immediately to spills and maintain a consistent cleaning schedule.

With outsourcing, you depend on the service provider's schedule and standards. This may lead to potential disruptions in your operations if the service does not align perfectly with your production schedule. You may also find that you need to pay for emergency cleaning when big messes happen.

Flexibility and Scalability

Consider your factory’s growth prospects and potential changes in cleaning needs. Owning a machine offers scalability, as you can adjust its use to match operational demands. 

However, if your factory undergoes significant changes, the machine may become underutilized or inadequate, necessitating further investment. This is why it’s important to choose a machine that aligns not just with your current needs, but future needs.

Quality and Compliance Assurance

With your own equipment, you manage the quality of cleaning and ensure it meets industry standards, providing a safe and compliant environment for your workforce and operations. You know what they say - if you want something done right, do it yourself!

Ultimately, the decision between buying a factory floor cleaning machine and outsourcing to professional cleaning services is one you’ll have to make based on your specific requirements. But, if you determine that you’re best suited with your own equipment, great! 

SweepScrub is here to help you find the ideal solution, be it a commercial walk behind floor scrubber or a commercial walk behind floor sweeper, an industrial ride on floor scrubber for sale or an industrial ride on sweeper for sale, or even an industrial sweeper scrubber! That being said, let’s get into how to clean factory floors yourself below.

How to Clean Factory Floor Yourself: Step-by-Step Guide to Factory Floor Cleaning

The idea of cleaning an expansive factory floor can definitely be a lot, but we’re here to break it down into a more manageable plan of attack. This advice will empower you to reach peak productivity without compromising on cleaning equality. First, you need to find the commercial cleaning equipment. 

Picking the Right Commercial Cleaning Equipment

As we said from the start, SweepScrub is your one-stop-shop for all things commercial cleaning - from innovative machines to replacement parts, and of course, unparalleled expertise to assist you in fine-tuning your cleaning process.

Your best bet if you’re serious about investing in a factory floor cleaning machine is to get in touch with us for a personalized recommendation. Otherwise, here is a general overview of what you should consider:

• Assess the Floor Area: Determine the size of your factory to choose between walk-behind and ride-on machines. Walk-behind models are suitable for smaller spaces, while ride-on machines efficiently cover larger areas.
• Identify the Floor Material: Flooring types range from concrete to tile or epoxy, each of which requires specific cleaning methods and equipment. Make sure your machine is compatible with your floor to prevent damage and achieve optimal cleaning results.
• Understand the Type of Mess: Analyze the common debris and stains in your factory. For dust and dry particles, a sweeper is effective, while scrubbers are necessary for oil, chemicals, or sticky substances. Some environments may benefit from sweeper-scrubber combinations for comprehensive cleaning.
• Evaluate Features and Efficiency: Look for machines with features that enhance cleaning efficiency, such as adjustable brush pressures, multi-surface capabilities, and large water tanks. Consider energy-efficient and environmentally friendly models to reduce operating costs and support sustainability initiatives.

Some of the top manufacturers on the market include Tennant, Karcher, Clarke, Nilfisk, Viper, and Powr-Flite. We offer both new and refurbished models depending on your budget. 

We even have factory cleaning chemicals to support the use of your new scrubber, helping you make the most of your cleaning efforts.

So, shop now - or, get a hold of our support team via phone, email, or live chat today!

Preparation and Planning for the Cleaning Process

Effective cleaning starts with thorough preparation and strategic planning. This will entail clearing the area to ensure the floor is free of large debris that could obstruct or damage the cleaning machine.

You should also make sure you’re planning your cleaning process during downtime or when it least disrupts factory operations. Regular cleaning during these periods ensures minimal interference with productivity.

Develop a cleaning route that covers the entire floor space efficiently, avoiding overlapping areas unnecessarily. Start from the inside and work towards the exits to prevent walking back over cleaned areas.

Then, check the cleaning machine for any wear or damage, especially on brushes, squeegees, and hoses. Confirm that all parts are functioning correctly and make any necessary repairs or adjustments so that you don’t waste time cleaning ineffectively, or worse - damaging your machine further. 

Best Practices for Operating a Floor Cleaning Machine

While using a floor cleaner is fairly simple and straightforward, every machine is unique. This is why your first step should be to familiarize yourself with the machine’s operating instructions to understand its capabilities and limitations. From there, you can follow these basic steps:

• Adjust Settings for Specific Needs: Configure the machine’s settings, such as water flow, brush speed, and cleaning solution dispersion, to suit the particular cleaning requirements of your factory floor.
• Use the Correct Cleaning Solutions: Employ the recommended cleaning agents for your machine and floor type to avoid damage and ensure effective cleaning.
• Operate Methodically: Clean systematically, starting from one end of the factory to the other, ensuring complete coverage without missing any areas.
• Maintain a Steady Pace: Move at a consistent speed to allow the machine to properly scrub and dry the floor, avoiding quick turns and abrupt stops that can lead to uneven cleaning.

Machine Maintenance After Cleaning

While the hard work is now complete, you aren’t quite done. Just as with using a floor scrubber on a gym floor, post-cleaning maintenance is essential for extending the life of your factory floor cleaning equipment. 

Clean out the recovery tank, wash or replace the filters, and wipe down the machine to prevent the buildup of dirt and grime. Inspect the brushes, pads, and batteries, and schedule regular maintenance checks to catch any issues before they become costly repairs.

Should you ever need help with floor scrubber troubleshooting or figuring out how to fix a floor sweeper, remember that we’re just a click or call away ready to help you get your equipment back up and running!

Advice on Keeping Your Factory Neat and Tidy in General

Maintaining factory cleanliness involves more than just regular floor cleaning. Here are some other ways you can prevent dirt and debris from taking hold of your facility:

• Implement a daily tidy-up routine to manage waste and prevent litter from accumulating. 
• Place sufficient trash bins around the factory and encourage staff to use them. 
• Regularly inspect the floor for any new spills or debris and address them promptly. 
• Educate your employees on the importance of keeping their workspace clean

Armed with these tips you’re equipped to maintain a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in your facility. So, get in touch with SweepScrub today to take the first step towards unparalleled cleaning efficiency and efficacy!

Bringing Our Guide on Factory Floor Cleaning to a Close

That concludes our guide on cleaning factory floors. These tips will help you boost the safety, productivity, and longevity of both your equipment and facility. The choice between purchasing a commercial cleaning machine and outsourcing to a service hinges on factors like cost, control, and operational needs. 

While owning a machine provides flexibility and long-term savings, services offer expertise and convenience. Evaluate your factory’s specific requirements to make the best decision. 

But, if you’re ready to invest in a reliable, efficient cleaning solution, SweepScrub offers a variety of machines from trusted brands to meet your needs and ensure your facility remains pristine and productive. Experience the pinnacle of professional cleaning equipment today!