Brushes and pads - the right match for every floor 

FROM VINYL to rubber, ceramic, natural stone, and timber, there are many types offlooring with distinct characteristics that require different approaches to cleaning. To prevent dull, dirty, or stained floors and minimise overuse of water and cleaning solution, using the right tools and techniques makes all the difference. To enhance the cleaning, polishing, or scrubbing process and achieve desired results, floor pads and brushes are used with floor machines. This makes the cleaning process faster, safer, and efficient, particularly across large areas. It also requires less effort and physical strain compared to traditional methods like scrubbing by hand. 

Knowing when to use a pad and when to use a brush is critical to ensure your floors are truly clean. Comprehensive training and the use of effective techniques also helpelevate the status of both cleaners and the wider industry, demonstrating that the profession is built on specialist knowledge and continual learning.

When to use a brush and when to use a pad?

In broad terms, you use a brush to clean textured and slip-resistant floors, and pads to clean smooth surfaces. Why? Because a pad cannot properly clean surfaces that are uneven. It simply cannot get into the grout, grooves, and dimples of a textured floor. You need bristles for that. 

An extensive range of brushes and pads is available to effectively handle various floor types and the specific stain or soil. Selecting the appropriate option is crucial to ensure proper cleaning performance. There is no one-size-fits-all, as each floor has unique characteristics. That’s why we’ve developed seven different brushes and eleven different pads with our flagship i-mop range of scrubber dryers.

We would always recommend testing any brush or cleaning solution in a small,inconspicuous area first. Cleaning a sample area to demonstrate results is also an effective way of showing your customer that you’re using the best cleaning technique – seeing is believing.

Which brush is the best fit?

• Soft brushes 

These are designed for light-duty cleaning and for use on delicate and timber flooring. It’s important to remember that wooden floors don’t like water and should be protected with a layer of varnish. For shiny glazed ceramic or porcelain tiles, a soft brush or one made from natural fibres is recommended to avoid scratching the surface. 

• Medium brushes

These can be used for everyday scrubbing and cleaning of most floors and come as standard with our i-mop range. Medium or soft brushes can be used on Epoxy non-slip floors, which are common in kitchens and other areas where slip resistance is crucial. Avoid hard brushes on this flooring, as they wear out quickly on aggressive surfaces.

• Low-density medium brush

Use this brush for sensitive surfaces when the standard medium brush gives too much friction, which puts a heavy load on the brush motor.

• Natural fibre brush 

These are ideally suited for rubber floors, which are commonly used in gyms and other high-impact areas. Natural fibres create less friction and reduce the load on cleaning machines compared to traditional poly brushes, which generate more friction.

• Hard brush

For rough-finished concrete floors, use a medium or hard brush. Hard brushes are particularly effective for deep cleaning, including grout lines, and removing tough residues like dried dough in bakery settings.

• Low-density hard brush 

Use this brush when the standard hard brush gives too much friction, which puts a heavy load on the brush motor.

• Cleanroom brush

For cleaning of sticky mats and other cleanroom environments, where hygiene and cross-contamination are critical concerns. 

Pads

Pads fall into two main categories - regular pads, which are colour coded for different applications and Twister diamond pads for chemical-free daily cleaning and renovation. A good rule of thumb is to use a Twister pad to increase gloss or maintain the gloss level of smooth floors. Use traditional pads to clean floors without changing the visual appearance of your floor. From there, you can choose the colour that best fits your cleaning needs and type of floor. 

Regular pads are available in five distinct colours:

• White – Light buffing and polishing
• Red – Regular buffing and light cleaning pad
• Blue – Daily cleaning pad for all floors
• Green – Aggressive scrubbing pad, unsealed floors
• Black – Very aggressive scrubbing and stripping

Twister pads also come in a range of colours for different cleaning procedures and applications. 

Which pad is the best fit? 

• Vinyl and linoleum floors

This flooring is popular in many businesses and public areas due to its durability and low maintenance. Modern vinyl floors are often factory-sealed, reducing the need for a topical sealer. Pads are generally preferred over brushes for cleaning these floors and excel at removing scuff marks. 

A green Twister diamond pad or a red pad works well for regular cleaning. For more heavily soiled floors, a blue pad can be used. In low-traffic areas, a medium brush may suffice, with periodic deep cleans using red or blue pads.

• Epoxy floors

Pads are ideally suited for these floors, which have a smooth finish and are often used in high-end settings. They are very sensitive to scratches, making them difficult to maintain, and dirt can easily settle in the micropores of the floor. A green Twister diamond pad is a good option but be aware that micro-polishing the floor creates a mechanically densified surface with increased resistance to dirt and wear. High cleanliness and gloss are maintained over time. If you don’t want to increase gloss, use a red pad.

• Concrete floors

For smooth, polished concrete floors, a green Twister diamond pad is the best option. Depending on the level of soil, red or blue pads can also be used.

• Ceramic or porcelain tiled floors

For matte or textured ceramic or porcelain tiles, pads offer a better surface clean. An orange Twister diamond pad is the best choice, with red, blue, or green pads being suitable, based on the soil level.

• Natural stone floors

Terrazzo, marble, and limestone floors are often found in high-end public and business properties due to their elegant appearance. To maintain and improve gloss levels, use a green Twister diamond pad. For high traffic areas, use a blue Twister diamond pad, or if you want higher gloss, use a pink Twister diamond pad.

Maintenance 

Cleaning operatives are accustomed to rinsing out their cloths after manual cleaning, but when it comes to mechanical cleaning, aftercare can often be forgotten. While it may be tempting to leave pads on the machine until the next shift, and pick up where the job left off, best practice is to remove, rinse thoroughly, and dry, so they’re clean and effective for the following day.

The lifespan of the brush or pads varies depending on the abrasiveness of the floor surface. To assist, our i-mop range has a built-in wear indicator, making this easier to monitor.

Continuous testing 

As new flooring types enter the market, each cleaning tool should undergo thorough and ongoing testing by the manufacturer to ensure compatibility. Choosing the right brush or pad depends on a range of factors. To help you determine the best match, we’ve created a guide to the most common types of floors, and which brushes or pads are suitable. 

Hans Van Blijenbergh is regional ambassador and brushes & pads expert at i-team Global

For more information, visit www.i-teamglobal.com

TEL: 01945 595177