Floor Squeegee
Cleaning Action With Quality Floor Squeegees
When looking to remove water from the floor and direct outside or to the drain, using a floor squeegee beats spending lots of time soaking it up with a mop and bucket. Working with the same principle as window squeegees, these tools are ideal for pushing the large amounts of water from the area, and can be used for everything from the routine cleaning tasks, to when you’re dealing with flooding incidents in the building. The floor squeegees can be used on different types of surfaces depending on the material construction of the blade, from the smooth tile and concrete floors, to the uneven surfaces.
Picking the Right Floor Squeegee
There are some key factors that need to be considered. Firstly, given that the floor squeegee is likely to be subjected to regular use, you want to work with a material that is durable. This is especially with the blade – as this will be the centre of action with the blade coming into contact with the water and chemicals that are to be removed from the floor. The frame and handle should also be sturdy, with all the usage that will be witnessed. You want to work with cleaning tools that will last for years, whether it’s for home use, or you run a cleaning company and are tasked with cleaning multiple residential and commercial establishments on a daily basis.
The blade material will also be an important determinant whether the floor squeegee will be used for light-duty or heavy-duty tasks. Based on the chemicals that will be encountered, the kind of surface- whether it is smooth or rough, plus the flexibility required for the unit, they all come into focus. Some situations will call for floor squeegees with higher absorbency – and the kind of rubber blade here will determine the suitability of the floor squeegee.
Common blade materials include:
Single blade rubber – These are used for the daily cleaning tasks, cleaning the mud, waste, water and debris from the smooth surfaces, making them ideal for floors like tile, linoleum and concrete. With the single blade design, chances of bacterial growth are minimized, and it is even easy to sanitise the blades after using them. The affordability has also contributed to the popularity of the units.
Red gum rubber – While these are also single blade units, the rubber is stronger, and can be used for those situations where you’re clearing harsh chemicals from the surface. An additional benefit of the rubber is that it does not scratch the surface or cause scuff marks, preserving the beauty of the floor.
Double foam rubber – Here, the blade has been constructed with synthetic rubber. It features a higher absorbency compared to the single rubber, and also gives you more versatility since you can use it on the uneven surfaces, including the grouted tile floors.
Double neoprene rubber – These blades are used for heavy-duty tasks, removing the dirt, water and debris from both smooth and uneven surfaces. Neoprene material is resistant to fats and oils which particularly makes it ideal for situations where you want to get rid of greasy build-ups on the kitchen floors.
Next is the size. Here, the main determinant will be the type of area you’re working on. Certainly, if you’re dealing with the expansive malls and supermarkets, or handling the cleaning for factory and hospital floors, you want to use a floor squeegee that is large. On the other hand, for dealing with tight corners, between toilets, and other hard-to-reach areas, large floor squeegees will be inconvenient. It’s all about achieving an intricate balance between size and applicability. Don’t fret, you can always acquire multiple floor squeegees for use on the different sections of the establishment.
For the sizes, common ranges include:
The small 13 – 18-inch units which are handy for small spaces, be it manoeuvring around the office cubicles, clearing water from the tight corners, or even between toilets.
The medium-sized 22 – 24-inch floor squeegees, and these have a broader range of applications on the floor surfaces, enabling you to get more area covered within a shorter time.
The large 30 – 36-inch alternatives that are suited for the large and open floor areas, typically in commercial facilities. They can also be used when clearing the snow and sludge from smooth asphalt like on the driveway leading up to the building.
Even the shape matters. Floor squeegees usually come with curved or straight blades. The straight blade units are suited to most cleaning tasks, easily pushing the liquids across the open floor surfaces. The floor squeegees with curved blades on the other hand are ideal for directing the liquids towards the drains.
A Brand You Can Trust
Core to the choice of floor squeegee is the particular manufacturer of the product. Getting products from a band that has been around for long, with a track record of quality delivery, will give you value for your money. That’s where Ettore comes in. This is a world-renowned brand, setting standards in the cleaning industry. The company has a rich history going way back to the first half of the 20th century, and has over the decades carved out a niche for itself across the different countries, due to the reliability of their products. You get this quality assurance when you turn to their floor squeegees, such as the popular Wipe ’n Dry line of floor squeegees. These come in sizes ranging from 18” to 30”, and some have additional features like splash guards and brushes, which add to their cleaning power. Ettore also provides an Industrial Duty Steel Floor Squeegee (both straight and curved variations), which is ideal for those tough cleaning situations, be it removing chemicals from the flooring, or clearing ice, snow and sludge from the surface with the scraping edge that is on the straight Industrial Duty Steel Floor Squeegee. You can also opt for the Heavy Duty Aluminium Floor Squeegee, which is a lightweight unit that also features a pivoting head, making the cleaning process a breeze.
Cleaning Action With Quality Floor Squeegees