Commercial Floor Scrubber Guide: Expert Tips, Dos, and Don’ts

March 27, 2025

Congratulations on your new automatic floor scrubber! Investing in the right equipment is a smart move, but now you might be wondering—what’s next? How do you use it effectively? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many professionals have questions about setup, operation, and maintenance to keep their machine running smoothly.

By the time you finish this guide, you’ll have the confidence to get the best performance from your automatic floor scrubber. Whether you’re tackling heavy dirt buildup or keeping high-traffic areas spotless, this machine is a game-changer for maintaining clean, professional-looking floors.

But before you dive in, it’s important to understand how to use and care for your equipment properly. A well-maintained floor scrubber doesn’t just clean better—it lasts longer and saves you money in the long run.

One quick note before we begin: Floor scrubbers are often confused with floor machines, but they serve different purposes. This guide focuses on floor scrubbers, which are designed to deep clean and remove dirt and grime—not to polish or shine. Knowing the difference ensures you get the right results for your floors.

What is the Difference Between Automatic Floor Scrubbers and Floor Machines?

What is an Automatic Floor Scrubber?

Automatic floor scrubbers are powerful and efficient cleaning machines that automate the floor cleaning process by scrubbing with a rotating brush or pad and recovering the dirty water with a squeegee and vacuum combo, all in one pass.

What is a Floor Buffer?

Floor buffers, on the other hand, are designed to strip or polish hard floors with rotating pads or brushes. These floor machines do not clean the floor like a floor scrubber does.

Where Can You Use Your Automatic Floor Scrubber?

Automatic floor scrubbers are a very versatile cleaning machine that can be used in a variety of environments and situations to clean hard floors.

They can be used on several hard floor types, including concrete, tile, grout, marble, and hardwood floors and are useful in many commercial settings, including offices, retail stores, warehouses, airport terminals, and large shopping malls.

What are the 4 Main Types of Floor Scrubbers?

There are four main types of automatic floor scrubbers and understanding what each kind is designed for is crucial to getting the most out of your new machine. Here are the four main types and what they are used for:

Upright Scrubbers

Upright scrubbers, also known as micro scrubbers, are the smallest kind of floor scrubbers and are operated similarly to upright vacuum cleaners. They are great for cleaning small, tight spaces, like restrooms, where the most flexibility is needed.

Check out our 5 Best Upright and Micro Auto Floor Scrubbers of 2025.

Walk-Behind Scrubbers

Walk-behind scrubbers require an operator to walk behind and steer the machine while it is being used and cleans at a slower pace than ride-on or autonomous scrubbers, but is compact, maneuverable, and ideal for smaller, tighter spaces.

A walk-behind scrubber is best suited for small commercial environments, retail stores, and other areas with limited space.

Check out our 5 Best Walk Behind Automatic Floor Scrubbers of 2025.

Ride-On Scrubbers

For ride-on scrubbers, the operator sits on the machine and drives it, which allows for faster cleaning. Although it is larger and less maneuverable than a walk-behind floor scrubber, it cleans at a much faster pace, up to 40% more productivity, and requires significantly less manual input to do so. Ride-on floor scrubbers are great for warehouses, industrial facilities, schools, and other areas where speed and efficiency are needed.

Check out our 6 Best Stand On and Ride On Automatic Floor Scrubbers of 2025.

Autonomous Scrubbers

Autonomous or robotic scrubbers can clean the floors on their own, without the need for a human operator.

They vary in size but are typically designed for large areas where consistent cleaning is needed, and human involvement is limited. They can clean at predetermined times, speeds, and routes, and can be managed remotely, offering ultimate efficiency. Autonomous floor scrubbers are ideal for large facilities, warehouses, and other areas that can be consistently cleaned with little need for human intervention.

Check out our guide on the 5 Benefits of Adding Autonomous Cleaning Equipment to Your Cleaning Program.

6 Considerations: Your Quick Start Guide to Your New Floor Scrubber

So, your new machine has been delivered. What’s next?

Here are six areas we will cover to help you get the most out of your new machine:

Proper Machine Assembly
Getting to Know Your Machine
Complete Floor Scrubber Training with Your Staff
Mastering the Basics of Floor Scrubbing
Dos and Don’ts of Floor Scrubbing
Complete Regular Maintenance

1. Proper Machine Assembly

After your new floor scrubber arrives, the first step is to inspect it for proper assembly and any signs of damage.

Even if the machine comes pre-assembled, it’s important to go over all components to ensure everything is securely in place, properly fastened, and functioning as it should. This extra check helps guarantee safe and efficient operation.

Here are the key steps to verify that your floor scrubber is correctly assembled:

Start with a visual inspection. Look for any signs of damage or misalignment on your floor scrubber and any of its included accessories.
Verify all parts and needed accessories are included, correct, and installed into the machine. Reference the manual or contact an Imperial Dade equipment expert to make sure nothing is missed.
Confirm that all fasteners, bolts, screws, etc. are properly tightened.
Make sure all electrical connections are securely wired, properly grounded, and have the correct voltage connections.
Test all safety features and moving parts, including the handle or steering wheel, scrubbing head, and control panel to make sure they operate smoothly.

2. Getting to Know Your Machine

Floor scrubbers consist of many components, control settings, and features. Understanding how each one works is important to ensure your job is done correctly. Let’s take a look at some of the key areas:

Controls & Operation Panel

The controls and operation panel give the operator full control of the machine, including speed, steering, and the ability to start, stop, and adjust the scrubbing process.

Scrubbing Head

The scrubbing head consists of a rotating brush or pad that agitates the floor surface.

Solution Tank

The solution tank holds the clean water and cleaning solution.

Recovery Tank

The recovery tank collects the dirty water and soil that is sucked off of the floor.

Debris Hopper

The hopper is a basket that collects large debris within the vacuum system and prevents it from damaging other machine components.

Squeegee Assembly

This collects the dirty water from the floor and directs it toward the vacuum system.

Vacuum System

The vacuum system sucks up the dirty water and debris and deposits them into the recovery tank and hopper, respectively.

Power System

The power system, usually a battery for floor scrubbers, provides power to the machine.

3. Complete Floor Scrubber Training with Your Staff

Before using your floor scrubber for the first time, it’s a good idea to complete formal training on how to use it. Imperial Dade offers free on-site training for staff once a machine purchase is made. This will ensure your equipment is used safely, efficiently, and as intended by the manufacturer.

Proper training will eliminate equipment misuse, which heightens the risks of surface damage, injury, and incomplete cleaning.

Well-rounded training should include the following:

Safe Equipment Operation

Proper equipment operation involves understanding the safe and effective use of the floor floor scrubber and its features to achieve optimal floor cleaning.

This part of the training covers how to start up the floor scrubber, scrubbing techniques, and scrubbing on different floor surfaces, including which floor pads to use for each.

It also covers essential safety practices such as operating speed, pad preparation and securement, and other key safety considerations.

Practice handling the scrubber on a less noticeable area if you’re using it for the first time.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

In addition to learning how to operate your floor scrubber, you’ll also want to review some preventative maintenance tips that will extend the life of your new investment.

Explored topics should include machine storage, daily maintenance tips like wiping the scrubber down and emptying the solution and recovery tanks, as well as who to contact if more intensive maintenance or repair is required.

Equipment Malfunction Procedures

Because accidents and equipment malfunctions can happen, it is important to be equipped with the knowledge and have a plan in place to handle a variety of situations that may arise.

Some malfunctions (and their solutions!) to look out for and cover in your training include:

Poor water pickup (check the vacuum hoses for blockages)
Water streaks left on floor (check the squeegee for damage)
Poor water flow (make sure clean water filter is clean and there is water in the tank)
Insufficient cleaning results (replace worn pads or brushes)

Imperial Dade offers free on-site training! Find out more about the benefits of formal training: 4 Benefits of your Cleaning Team Completing CMI (Cleaning Management Institute) Training

4. Mastering the Basics of Floor Scrubber Use

Now that you have an idea of what your floor scrubber is and you’ve been trained on how to use it, here s a summary of step-by-step instructions for starting and operating your machine:

Step 1: Fill the Solution Tank
Step 2: Select and Install the Right Floor Pad
Step 3: Attach the Squeegee Blade
Step 4: Turn On the Machine and Begin Scrubbing

Fill the Solution Tank

First, fill the solution tank with water and the appropriate cleaning solution for your flooring and soil type. Always refer to and follow the chemical’s label or SDS for proper dilution.

Select and Install the Right Floor Pad

Not all floor pads are the same, so always select the appropriate pad for the task and verify the scrub head is secure. This is crucial for achieving desired results. Failure to do so can lead to equipment or floor damage, or even personal injury.

Inspect floor pads for damage or excessive wear before each use and replace them as needed.

Pads come in various colors and materials for different applications. Here are some examples of the most common floor pads you’ll come across and what they’re used for:

Red floor pads are an everyday cleaning pad that removes light dirt soils from surfaces.

Blue floor pads are a heavy-duty scrubbing pad that removes the top layers of finish in preparation of adding additional layers of floor finish to the floors.
Green floor pads are like blue floor pads, but are even more abrasive and used for even deeper scrubbing.

We recommend using a red floor pad for everyday cleaning.

Want to make sure you’re using the right floor pad? Download our FREE poster:

The key to great results starts with the proper installation of the floor pad to the machine. The floor pad must be centered on the machine to ensure even, consistent results.

Attach the Squeegee Blade

Next, comes attaching the squeegee blade to your floor scrubber. Secure the squeegee blade to the suction tube, then screw the blade attachment on.

Before you begin scrubbing, you need to make sure your squeegee blade is not damaged and properly aligned to your floors. Failure to do so can lead to water streaks left behind and inconsistent drying.

Pro Tip: Did you know squeegee blades can be rotated if one of their edges wears out? Consider rotating your squeegee blade instead of replacing it to get extended use from each blade.

Rotate or replace your squeegee blade if needed, and check for deflection by turning on the machine and running it across the floor with the squeegee down.

Turn on the Machine and Begin Scrubbing

It’s almost time to start scrubbing! With the squeegee blade lowered to the ground, power on your automatic floor scrubber machine.

Before you take off, adjust the controls on your autoscrubber. Check that the speed, water, and vacuum controls are all set to the appropriate setting for the cleaning job you need to complete.

Begin cleaning against the wall and work counter-clockwise, working your way across in single, consistent passes toward the middle. Because the scrub deck hangs over on the right side, this will ensure that you are cleaning all the way against the walls.

As you move the scrubber, make slow, wide turns to the left to ensure the squeegee effectively recovers all cleaning solution from the floor, leaving it dry and streak-free.

For heavily soiled floors or a deeper clean, consider performing a double scrub. This involves making the first pass without lowering the squeegee to allow the solution to loosen dirt. Then, follow up with a second pass using the squeegee and vacuum to remove the remaining solution and debris.

5. Dos and Don’ts of Floor Scrubbing

Here is a quick reference list of best practices and things to avoid while using your new floor scrubber:

Do:	Don’t:
Vacuum and sweep your floors thoroughly before using your floor scrubber. Use the correct floor pad for the job. Use the correct cleaning products for your floor and soil types. Rotate or replace your squeegee blade when needed.	Scrub heavily damaged floors, as this can damage your machine. Scrub a floor that has heavy debris on it. Wet wooden floors excessively. Immerse the machine in water. Use the wrong floor pad. Use your floor scrubber on carpet.

6. Complete Regular Maintenance

Proper maintenance and storage are key to maximizing the lifespan of your floor scrubber and protecting your investment.

When your equipment is new and running smoothly, it’s easy to overlook preventative care. However, regular upkeep can save your business time, money, and costly repairs down the road. Neglecting daily maintenance and proper storage can lead to avoidable issues—even early in the machine’s life.

To keep your floor scrubber operating at its best, it’s essential to follow maintenance and storage routines both before and after each use. Here are some key steps to ensure your machine stays in top condition:

Check the pad for damage or excessive wear before each use and replace as needed.
Regularly check the battery’s charge and condition. Do not operate any machine with a damaged power source.
Check the squeegee for damage or excessive wear before each use and rotate or replace as needed. Check a wet-battery’s water levels weekly.
Empty both the solution and recovery tanks after each use to prevent foul odors and buildup. Once they are emptied, rinse and leave the tanks open to avoid foul odors.

Wipe down the machine after each use to protect the machine from damage.
Clean the pads after each use to prevent buildup and extend their life. Remember to store them off of the machine and off of the floor to prevent unnecessary wear.
Store your scrubber in a cool, clean, dry area to avoid moisture damage.

Pro Tip: Do not store your scrubber in a boiler room. These rooms are too warm and will not allow your battery to cool after use–leading to premature wear and replacement.

Need help creating a preventative maintenance schedule? Contact an Imperial Dade equipment specialist today to discuss the best practices your staff can follow to keep your equipment operating in top shape.

Final Thoughts

Investing in an automatic floor scrubber is a smart decision for maintaining clean, professional-looking floors. However, proper setup, operation, and maintenance are essential to getting the best results and extending the life of your equipment.

By mastering the basics of floor scrubbing, following safety procedures, and implementing a routine maintenance plan, you’ll maximize efficiency and protect your investment. Whether you’re tackling tough dirt or maintaining high-traffic areas, a well-maintained floor scrubber will help you achieve consistent, high-quality cleaning results.

Imperial Dade has service centers across the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the Caribbean that can send out a licensed technician to your facility to perform the preventive maintenance services your machines need to keep them running. Contact an Imperial Dade equipment expert today if you have further questions or need maintenance.