CleanTec Industry News

Latin America. Think about the last time you entered a small public space, for example, a restroom, a convenience store, a small retail store, or a quick-service restaurant. Was it clean? If not, what impression did the dirty space give you? Probably a bad one. As a consequence, it is likely that you have decided to leave and neither buy nor eat there.

Now think about your own business, whether it's a totally small space or a mix of large and small spaces. What kind of impression do you want your customers to take? Can it afford to see its reputation damaged in the eyes of consumers or to lose employees who do not want to work in dirty and unsafe conditions?

The Dirty Truth About Dirty Spaces
According to a recent update to Service Channel's "State of Brick and Mortar Retail Report," more than 70% of shoppers said they had a negative in-store experience, including dirty bathrooms, in a six-month period. This is particularly tricky, as the report's findings revealed that 85% of consumers still make more than half of their purchases in physical stores.

In addition, 64% of consumers surveyed for the report said they left a store due to physical appearance or disorganization, and 20% mentioned spilled products or floors were dirty. Can you afford to lose 20% of your business to dirty and unkempt floors?

The good news is that you don't have to lose customers or risk having your reputation damaged due to uncleaned conditions. It is true that smaller spaces are narrower and more difficult to clean. But thanks to technological advancements and proven tools available, cleaning convenience stores and retail floors is faster, more efficient, and more cost-effective than ever before.

Commercial Floor Cleaning Machine Comparisons
Mop and bucket: why it doesn't measure up as a solution
The traditional mop-and-bucket technique for cleaning floors in tight spaces has become obsolete, or at least it should be. Cleaning with a string mop and bucket is counterproductive to keeping floors clean in tight spaces. This method simply passes dirt from one place to another instead of lifting it and leaves surface dirt on a supposedly clean floor.

With a traditional string mop, mold can build up on the mop, causing bacteria to spread on the floors. Similarly, too much cleaning solution in the mop can leave streaks on floors. As for maintenance, mop heads should be washed after each use to minimize the spread of dirt. In addition, the cleaning solution in the trays should be changed frequently to avoid mopping with contaminated solution.

Microfiber Systems
Microfiber flat mop systems and corded or cordless micro scrubbers are an improvement over traditional string and bucket mops. Microfiber mops are easy to use, but the pads need to be replaced frequently to prevent the spread of dirt. Depending on how often tight spaces need to be cleaned, this could prolong the cleaning time of the floors.

Micro-scrubbers for cleaning tight spaces
Micro-scrubbers are a far superior alternative to cleaning floors with string mops and buckets. They come with a variety of options and at different price points. Micro-scrubbers like the Tennant CS5 get rid of the many challenges presented by traditional mop and bucket cleaning. The solution and recovery tanks are separated, so they supply clean water for scrubbing. They are easy to handle under and around obstacles to clean hard-to-reach areas thanks to the movable handle and compact size. Its operating time is 50 to 75 minutes, depending on the type of battery.

The Tennant CS16 walk-behind micro floor scrubber is a compact, reliable, and easy-to-use machine that accommodates cleaning in tight spaces with easy-to-use controls, low-profile design, and ergonomic handle. It is ideal for hard-to-reach spaces in retail stores and convenience stores. Its operating time is up to 70 minutes and offers a low noise level with the Eco mode setting.

Micro-scrubbers have a higher initial cost. However, when you factor in productivity, sales impacts, and slip/fall risks, automated floor cleaning equipment offers a lot of long-term value.

The latest innovation: i-mop® Lite
The latest advancement for cleaning small commercial spaces is Tennant's i-mop® Lite. This smaller mechanized scrubber was created specifically for cleaning tight commercial spaces. With this machine, cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and other narrow areas is much easier, effective, and efficient than with other alternatives.

The i-mop Lite cleans in tight spaces and around obstacles, which is ideal for floor cleaning in retail stores and any small public space. It is lightweight, easy to maneuver and has a 360° movement. In addition, the i-mop Lite has a minimal footprint and can be easily lifted, carried, stored, and used.

Sustainable, easy-to-use mechanized mop
With the i-mop Lite mechanized scrubber, say goodbye to cords. It is powered by eco-friendly lithium-ion batteries that can clean from 1400 meters2 (15,069 ft2) per hour with an operating time of 45 minutes per charge. This commercial floor cleaning machine comes with a modular rechargeable battery pack, and additional battery packs can be ordered to achieve continuous run time with the swapping and recharging of an additional set of batteries.

It has a removable tank which facilitates the quick replacement or change of cleaning solutions or the emptying of recovery water into a sink, thus achieving minimal downtime. It also has a powerful 500 rpm motor that runs at twice the speed of many conventional disc scrubbers.

Make tight spaces shine
Now that you know what the business risk is of not keeping floors clean in tight commercial spaces, now is the time to act. The old mop-and-bucket technique for cleaning these spaces is neither effective nor efficient.

There are a variety of options that are far superior to string and bucket mops, including micro-scrubbers and modern mechanical mops. Improve your cleaning routine in tight spaces to leave a good and lasting impression on your customers and staff.

Learn more about Tennant solutions for cleaning commercial floors in tight spaces.