10 Types of Floor Cleaning Machines Worth Investing in

Whether you’re struggling with cleaning warehouse floors, school floor cleaning, factory floor cleaning, or any other surface/application - it’s time to upgrade your arsenal. Put the frustration and inefficiency of push brooms and mops in the past with commercial floor cleaning machines!

From sweepers to scrubbers (and even sweeper scrubbers!), burnishers to polishers, carpet extractors, vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, and more, there are so many different types of floor cleaning machines at your disposal. 

The key is choosing the optimal solution for the specific types of flooring you are trying to clean and the messes in question. Don’t play the guessing game and risk wasting time, money, or worse - doing more harm than good. 

This guide will leave you with a clear understanding of your next steps. Better yet, just get in touch with our customer service team here at SweepScrub. After all, we’re your trusted choice for all these machines and many other commercial cleaning solutions!

Whether you need a commercial floor scrubber for sale or commercial floor sweeper for sale, floor burnisher machine, a heavy-duty commercial vacuum cleaner, or anything in between, you can count on us. Reach out today, or learn more below.

How Many Types of Floor Cleaning Machines Are There?

You’d be shocked to discover just how many different types of floor cleaning machines you have at your fingertips. This is because there are even more types of floors and messes you may encounter!

From hardwood to concrete, from spills to embedded dirt, there’s a machine perfectly designed for every task. They’re tailored to clean efficiently, effectively, and most importantly, safely - without causing inadvertent harm to the surface in question.

You can choose from a sea of styles, including compact, manual devices for small-scale cleaning needs and massive, automated units for large-scale settings. There are even walk-behind and ride-on models for some types of machines!

All of this is to say that there is a seemingly endless list of machines to clean flooring, but we’re not here to overcomplicate things and leave you feeling overwhelmed. 

Truthfully, there are only 10unique types of floor cleaners you need to know about. Furthermore, you’ll probably only ever need to use a few of these for your specific flooring. 

So, let’s not waste any more time!

The 10 Most Powerful Types of Floor Cleaning Machines to Add to Your Arsenal

The most prominent floor cleaning machine types you’ll come across are sweepers and scrubbers, but these are just the tip of the iceberg in the floor cleaning industry. 

From buffers to burnishers, polishers, vacuums, sanders, and more - here are the most powerful floor cleaning solutions you can rely on to keep your facility looking tidy and hygienic.

Sweepers

What is a commercial floor sweeper? As the name suggests, this is a machine designed to quickly remove dirt, dust, and debris from hard surfaces like concrete and tile. They rely on rotating brushes that gather loose material into a collection bin for easy disposal.

These machines are a must for any high-traffic areas, including but not limited to warehouses, parking lots, and industrial facilities. You’ll find them in manual styles, but the most powerful are commercial walk behind floor sweepers and industrial ride-on sweepers.

Businesses can rely on this type of floor cleaner to make quick work of even the most expansive settings. They’re ideal for frequent dry debris build-up. Our blog has more resources on floor sweeper repair and floor sweeper maintenance if you want to learn more. 

Scrubbers

Now, what is a walk-behind scrubber or ride-on scrubber? These are very similar to sweepers, but with a twist - they scrub the floor instead of sweeping it. Think of these like an automatic mopper.

So, how does a floor scrubber work? These combine water, cleaning solutions, and brushes to deep clean hard surfaces. They rely on powerful motors to remove stains, grease, and grime that sweepers cannot tackle on their own.

What makes these unique is they can actually sanitize the floor in addition to cleaning it. So, you’ll find that these are used in hospitals, kitchens, and schools as a means of maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety.

Similar to sweepers you can find both a commercial walk behind floor scrubber or industrial ride on floor scrubber based on the size and layout of your facility, along with your budget of course. 

That being said, how much does a floor scrubber cost? It depends - but you can find basic models for as little as $1,500, whereas larger machines will run tens of thousands of dollars.

Our blog has more resources on how to use a commercial floor scrubber, how to change pads on floor scrubber, how to charge floor scrubber, renting a floor scrubber, floor scrubber brush vs pad, how long does a floor scrubber last, and gym floor scrubbers for additional insights.

Sweeper Scrubbers

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could merge the power of a sweeper and scrubber into a single machine? You can!That’s what sweeper scrubbers are used for.

A floor sweeper scrubber machine is a hybrid design that combines the best of both worlds to consolidate your cleaning equipment needs. It saves you a ton of time and effort if you deal with both dry debris and sticky stains.

These machines sweep debris into a bin while simultaneously scrubbing and vacuuming the floor to leave a spotless surface. They’re one of the best types of floor cleaning machines for warehouses and manufacturing facilities where efficiency is of the utmost importance.

Burnishers

Burnishers are designed to polish hard floors to a high-gloss, wet-look finish. They typically operate at high speeds (over 1,500 RPM), to remove scuff marks and restore the shine to flooring surfaces like tile and vinyl.

For this reason, you’ll find these used frequently in retail stores and office buildings where making a solid first impression and providing customers with a positive experience is essential. 

You can find corded, battery-powered, and propane floor burnisher models based on your budget and needs.

Buffers

Buffers are versatile machines that can clean, polish, and buff floors. All at once. Burnishers and buffers are commonly mistaken for one another, but these are two very different machines. The same is true of the floor scrubber vs buffer, another common comparison.

The distinction is that buffers work at a much lower speed than burnishers do. As such, they’re better suited for light maintenance tasks such as removing surface dirt and applying wax. You’ll see these used on smooth surfaces like laminate or vinyl most frequently.

This is a great choice for businesses in need of a multi-purpose machine for routine floor care without requiring the high-gloss finish of a burnisher. You can find either a low speed buffer or an orbital floor buffer in our catalog here at SweepScrub.

Polishers

Now, polishers are another machine that appears to serve the same purpose of burnishers and buffers. However, they’re more commonly used to enhance the finish of floors by applying polish or sealant after cleaning.

Polishers are put to use on materials like stone, wood, and marble, which benefit from periodic refinishing. The speed can typically be adjusted to cater to different floor types for a consistent and durable shine across your entire facility. 

Carpet Extractors

Most of the types of floor cleaning machines we’ve discussed thus far are used for hard floors specifically. But what if you have expansive carpeting that needs to be cleaned? A carpet extractor is right up your alley. 

These use a combination of water, cleaning solution, and suction. They inject water into the carpet fibers to loosen dirt and stains, then extract the dirty water for thorough cleaning.

They’re a staple in hotels, offices, and residential properties alike to keep carpets clean, fresh, and free from allergens. Options range from portable units to truck-mounted systems for large-scale jobs.

When used as water restoration equipment, they tend to be paired with a carpet dryer. If this is something you’re interested in learning more about, our blog has resources on the water damage restoration cost along with how to start a water damage restoration company.

Vacuum Cleaners

No commercial cleaning arsenal is complete without a vacuum cleaner to work in those tight spaces that a sweeper or scrubber can’t get to. These are a must-have in any operation for removing loose dirt, dust, and debris from both hard and carpeted floors.

There are so many different types of vacuums that you can consider adding to your workflow. Some of the most common are the commercial backpack vacuum, canister vacuum cleaners, and wide area vacuum cleaners.

There are also wet/dry vacuums, which are especially beneficial in construction or industrial settings for cleaning up liquid spills and debris at the same time. Our blog has more insights on choosing between a sweeper vs vacuum if you’re interested. 

Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners use high-temperature steam to sanitize and clean floors without chemicals. They’re great at cleaning up stubborn stains, grease, and bacteria, which is why they’re a staple in kitchens, bathrooms, and healthcare facilities.

This type of machine is safe for most hard surfaces and certain types of carpets as a green cleaning solution that minimizes environmental impact. Sure, there are eco-friendly chemicals you can clean with - but why use them if you can get by without them?

Sanders

Last but certainly not least, we want to highlight floor sanders. These are less commonly referred to as a “cleaning machine” and more specifically used for refinishing wood floors.

You can use a sander to remove old coatings, scratches, and imperfections, often for preparing the surface to be stained or sealed. These are an essential step in restoring aged or damaged wood floors, be it in a gymnasium, dance studio, or high-end residential property.

They’re available in a number of different styles as is the case with most floor cleaning machines, like drum sanders for heavy-duty tasks and orbital sanders for more delicate finishes.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Machines for Your Type of Flooring

Even with a thorough understanding of all the different types of floor cleaners you can choose from it’s easy to feel overwhelmed about which is actually right for your business. 

This becomes even more complicated when weighing a sea of features, brands, and styles. But ultimately, what matters most is compatibility with your floor type. Here’s a quick guide:

Hardwood Floors

Polishers and low-speed buffers can help you maintain a glossy finish without scratching delicate hardwood floors. Avoid harsh scrubbers unless they’re specifically designed for sealed wood floors. 

Steam cleaners can sanitize hardwoods, but only if the flooring is properly sealed to prevent water damage. Be sure to use soft-bristle brushes or non-abrasive pads to avoid scratching the flooring, regardless of your chosen machine.

Tile and Grout

Tile floors with grout are especially challenging to clean, so we recommend scrubbers equipped with durable brushes. These can remove embedded dirt and grime with ease on every pass.

Steam cleaners also work well for sanitizing without chemicals. Grout-friendly attachments or specialty brushes can ensure you get into the crevices without damaging the tiles.

Concrete Floors

Concrete needs heavy-duty machines like sweepers and scrubbers. Better yet, rely on the two-in-one solution of a floor sweeper scrubber to efficiently remove debris and scrub stains simultaneously!

Burnishers or buffers can be used to maintain polished concrete surfaces. Outdoor concrete surfaces can be handled with a propane-powered or battery-powered sweeper.

Vinyl and Laminate

These types of floors are fairly delicate, like hardwood, so you need to strike a balance between cleaning and preserving their integrity. Low-speed buffers and scrubbers with soft brushes can clean without stripping or damaging the surface.

Similarly, burnishers are great for maintaining a high-gloss finish on these materials. Avoid machines that use excessive water to prevent warping or peeling.

Carpeted Surfaces

Carpet extractors and high-performance vacuum cleaners are the obvious choices here. Extractors will remove deep-set stains and allergens, while vacuums with HEPA filters suck up dust and debris.

Stone Floors

Marble, granite, and other stone floors are among the most expensive and tricky to maintain. Polishers can help maintain their natural sheen, while scrubbers with pH-neutral cleaning solutions can handle deeper cleaning. 

If you’re worried about causing damage, err on the side of caution and use steam cleaners to sanitize without actually scrubbing anything. You can also use diamond-polishing pads on natural stone for a professional finish.

Special Considerations for Unique Floors

We’ve covered most types of flooring above, but there are a few other special types you may be looking for guidance on cleaning:

• Rubber Floors: Use scrubbers with soft pads to avoid scuffing.
• Epoxy Floors: Sweepers and scrubbers with appropriate pressure settings work best to maintain the seamless finish.
• Anti-Slip Floors: Steam cleaners and scrubbers with stiff bristles ensure thorough cleaning without compromising the safety features.

Our blog has more tips on how to choose a floor scrubber and other types of machines for cleaning the floor. But at this point, the only thing left to do is source your machine of choice at SweepScrub!

Find All These Machines and More at SweepScrub!

Across all these different types of floor cleaning machines, the need for efficiency and reliability are common themes. Fortunately, you can trust SweepScrub for the best of the best no matter what machine - or machines - you end up investing in for your business!

We’re your one-stop shop for all your commercial cleaning needs. Our catalog features the most prominent names in cleaning, including but not limited to: 

• Advance floor cleaners
• Clarke floor cleaners
• Nobles floor cleaners
• Tennant floor cleaners
• Viper floor cleaners

Thanks to our deep relationships with these brands we’re able to offer the most competitive pricing in the industry along with rapid shipping times, world-class support, and all the spare parts you could need to keep your equipment running smoothly for years to come.

Whether you’re on the hunt for the best commercial floor scrubber or the best industrial floor sweepers, we’re a click or call away ready to help you find the perfect machine. Get in touch today to elevate your company’s cleaning process!

Wrapping Up Our Guide on the Different Types of Floor Cleaning Machines

We’ve covered a lot today, and hope that this overview of all the different types of floor cleaning machines has left you confident in which is best for your specific flooring and messes. From sweepers and scrubbers to polishers and steam cleaners, each has its place.

You can find additional resources on floor scrubber troubleshooting, how to clean concrete floors, how to clean a commercial freezer floor, how to clean rubber gym floor, how to clean commercial tile floors, how to clean commercial kitchen floor, and more in our blog.

Otherwise, browse our catalog or get in touch with our customer service team for guidance on choosing the optimal machine for your cleaning needs. Take the hassle out of cleaning today!