How to Change Pads on Floor Scrubber Machine

The pads on your floor scrubber are what makes it such a powerful partner in grime, working to lift tough stains away from a surface with the help of a detergent. Over time, they start to lose their abrasiveness, and thus, their effectiveness.

Maybe you’ve noticed less impressive cleaning results in the past few sessions, or perhaps you have actually found wear and tear on the pads themselves. Either way, replacing the pads promptly will have your equipment running good as new in no time.

Follow along as we show you how to change pads on floor scrubber machines, including tips on picking the perfect replacement pads to bring out the full potential of your cleaning arsenal. 

No matter the machine you use, you can rest assured our selection of replacement pads here at SweepScrub has what you need. Browse our most popular sizes below or get in touch for a personalized recommendation today!

• 12” floor pads
• 13” floor pads
• 14” floor pads
• 16” floor pads
• 18” floor pads

Signs You Need to Change Your Floor Scrubber’s Pads

Before getting into how to change pads on floor scrubber machines let’s make sure this is actually what’s holding your equipment back in the first place. Effective floor scrubber troubleshooting will help rule out other potential problems.

Visible Wear and Tear

The most obvious sign that it's time to change your floor scrubber pads is visible damage. The pads’ abrasive surface can become worn down over time, losing their effectiveness. 

Check for thinning areas, frayed edges, or uneven surfaces. These are clear indicators that the pads can no longer provide the scrubbing power needed for effective cleaning.

Reduced Cleaning Efficiency and Effectiveness 

Speaking of effective cleaning, the eye test is another great indicator that it may be time to look into replacement pads. If you haven’t changed anything else in your cleaning routine and yet the surfaces don’t seem to be shining like they once did, the pads are probably worn.

Inefficient pads may leave behind dirt and grime, requiring multiple passes to achieve the desired level of cleanliness. This increases your cleaning time, defeating the purpose of investing in a high-efficiency machine in the first place

Unusual Noises During Operation

Strange sounds such as grinding, squeaking, or rattling may suggest the pads are no longer providing a smooth, effective scrubbing action. Ignoring these noises can lead to further damage to your machine and the floor surface.

Scratches or Marks on the Floor

Worn-out pads can cause scratches or marks on your floor, especially if they have lost their cushioning ability. These marks are not only unsightly but can also damage the flooring material, leading to costly repairs or replacements. 

How to Change Pads on Floor Scrubber Machine

If you notice any of the aforementioned signs, it’s a good idea to start looking to replacement pads. In fact, we suggest keeping a few replacement pads on hand so that you can make the swap at the first sign of degradation.

That being said, we’ll walk you through how to change pads on floor scrubber machines below, starting with choosing the right placement pads.

Finding the Right Floor Scrubber Replacement Pads

Choosing the wrong floor scrubber pads can create headaches involving returns and subsequent downtime. Or worse, if you use the wrong pads, you could damage your flooring.

So, start by consulting your floor scrubber’s manual to identify the appropriate pad size and type for your specific model. Pads come in various materials, each suited for different cleaning tasks. Here’s a quick overview of what the different colors mean:

• White Pads: For polishing clean, dry floors. They’re extra fine and can be used dry or with restorative chemicals to produce a wet-look gloss on newly finished floors. These pads are suitable for standard electric floor machines, ultra high-speed machines, orbital scrubbers, and automatic scrubbers. They perform best on machines with speeds up to 3000 rpm.
• Red Pads: For light-duty cleaning and buffing. They remove light scuff marks and dirt while producing a high-gloss shine. They’re compatible with standard electric floor machines, orbital scrubbers, and automatic scrubbers. They’re best used on machines with speeds up to 800 rpm.
• Blue Pads: Used with a neutral floor cleaning solution to remove old, soiled floor finish layers. Also suitable for scrubbing soiled hard surface floors, such as concrete, when used with appropriate cleaning chemicals. They work well on machines with speeds up to 350 rpm.
• Green Pads: For scrubbing hard floor surfaces with a cleaning solution. They aggressively remove dirt and scuff marks from heavily soiled floors and are also suitable for light stripping tasks. They’re compatible with standard electric floor machines or automatic scrubbers and are effective on machines with speeds up to 350 rpm. 
• Black Pads: Typically paired with a water-based floor stripping solution to clean worn and soiled floor finishes or sealers. We also have customers use them on hard surface floors with certain cleaning solutions. Ideal for machines up to 350 rpm.

Remember, you don’t have to play the guessing game. Our customer service team is on standby ready to help you pick the right pads for your specific machine and flooring - get in touch for guidance if you still aren’t sure which are right for you!

Turning the Machine Off

Safety should always be your first priority when changing floor scrubber pads. For electric models, unplug the machine. For battery-operated models, remove the key and disconnect the battery. 

This step prevents any accidental start-ups, which could lead to injuries. It’s not a bad idea to quickly consult the user manual for any specific safety instructions related to your model.

Removing the Old Pads

Locate the pad driver or pad holder on the underside of the floor scrubber. Depending on the model, you might need to tilt the machine back or remove a cover to access the pads. 

Carefully detach the old pads from the pad driver. The attachment method can vary. For example, some pads are held in place by a twist-lock mechanism, while others use clips, screws, or Velcro. You’ll need the right tools if your machine uses clips or screws. 

Once removed, inspect the pad driver for any debris or residue and clean it to ensure a smooth installation of the new pads.

Installing the New Pads

Align the new pads with the pad driver, ensuring they fit securely and evenly. For twist-lock mechanisms, place the pad on the driver and twist it until it locks into place. If your machine uses clips or screws, attach the pads using the same method you used to remove the old ones. 

Make sure the pads are firmly secured to avoid any slippage during operation. It’s also important that the pads are centered correctly on the pad driver for balanced, effective cleaning.

Final Checks

At this point the hard work is done, but you should take a moment to make sure everything is properly installed before reconnecting the machine to its power source. Then, turn on the floor scrubber and run it on a small test area to ensure the new pads are functioning correctly. 

Listen for any unusual noises that might indicate improper installation and observe the cleaning performance. Check that the pads are rotating smoothly and providing consistent cleaning results. 

If everything looks and sounds good, you can confidently proceed with your regular cleaning tasks. There you have it - how to change pads on floor scrubber machines!

Tips on Caring for Your Floor Scrubber’s New Pads

It’s worth giving your pads a bit of routine maintenance to keep them performing their best for the long haul while avoiding premature replacements. Here are some quick tips:

• Regular Cleaning: Rinse the pads thoroughly with clean water to remove dirt and debris after each use. This prevents buildup that can reduce effectiveness and cause damage to the pads and floors.
• Drying Properly: Allow the pads to dry completely before storing them since moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can deteriorate the pad material and create unpleasant odors.
• Rotating Pads: Rotate pads regularly to ensure even wear. This extends the life of each pad and maintains consistent cleaning performance across all pads.
• Correct Storage: Store pads flat and in a cool, dry place. Avoid stacking heavy objects on top of them to prevent deformation. 
• Using Appropriate Solutions: Harsh chemicals can degrade the pad material and reduce its lifespan. Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines for chemical solutions.
• Proper Machine Settings: Ensure your floor scrubber is set to the correct pressure and speed for the specific pad type. Using incorrect settings can wear out pads prematurely and reduce cleaning efficiency.

Discover the Best Replacement Pads for Your Floor Scrubber Machine at SweepScrub!

The only thing left to do if you haven’t already is get the optimal replacement pads for your floor scrubber machine at SweepScrub, your one-stop shop for all things commercial cleaning.

We have the best selection of commercial floor scrubbers for sale, whether you’re in need of an industrial ride on floor scrubber for sale or a commercial walk behind floor scrubber. But, we also stock more than 25,000 replacement parts from the top brands in the industry - Tennant, Nilfisk, Clarke, and more.

You can choose from all the different pad colors you need in a variety of sizes, from as small as 12” all the way up to 28”. As we said a few times throughout this guide, we are always available to help you pick the right pads if you’re not sure which ones are right for you.

So, browse our catalog or get in touch for personalized assistance today and make sure your machine is working its best around the clock!

Wrapping Up Our Guide to Replacing Floor Scrubber Pads

Your scrubber can be a powerful machine to keep your floors pristine while helping you maintain peak efficiency in your cleaning process. 

However, regularly replacing the pads is key to consistent results. Hopefully this guide on how to change pads on floor scrubber machine has left you with a clear understanding of your next steps!

Our blog has additional resources on how to use a floor scrubber machine, including using a floor scrubber on a gym floor specifically, how long do floor scrubbers last, sweeper vs vacuum, factory floor cleaning, how to clean indoor concrete floors, how to clean rubber gym floors, and more. 

But whether you’re looking for replacement pads or a new scrubber, an industrial floor sweeper machine, or even a sweeper scrubber machine, don’t forget SweepScrub has you covered. Upgrade your cleaning arsenal today with our reliable products and see what keeps our customers coming back for more!