Floor care goes chemical-free with revolutionary new machine
Tauranga-based Pinakin Patel with the floor machine that can strip floors without using chemicals.
Customers are the big winners after one of CrestClean’s most experienced operators invested in new technology that provides a totally ‘”green” approach to floor care.
Tauranga-based Pinakin Patel, who is also a regional trainer for Master Cleaners Training Institute, has purchased a multipurpose machine that is capable of handling a range of different surfaces and can strip floors without the need for chemicals.
The usual practice of floor stripping and polishing involves the use of a strong chemical. But instead of a stripping agent, the US-made machine uses a weighted plate that vibrates at high speeds to break down layers of old polish to achieve a similar result.
The TomCat oscillating scrubber can remove the old floor seal either dry or with just water. It is also a highly effective burnisher. Rather than having a pad that turns in one direction like a rotary machine, the orbital machine cleans forward, backward, and side-to-side all at the same time.
Jan Lichtwark, CrestClean’s Tauranga Regional Manager, expected a lot of customer interest in the chemical-free floor care service that can now be offered.
“A lot more day centres, kindergartens and schools are asking questions about chemicals in relation to cleaning products and our systems and procedures.
“If we can do the same job on a floor without chemicals it’s a big plus for our customers and of course it’s also good for the environment.”
As it’s a natural cleaning process, a floor strip and polish means there’s no lingering chemical odours after the work has been carried out. Chemical free stripping also helps to provide increased worker safety with a decreased risk of slips and falls, as well as removing the requirement of cleaning with and disposing of potentially harmful stripping chemicals.
Pinakin says he’s been impressed by the machine’s efficiency. “With this one machine we can do all surfaces of floors. It is good on concrete, marble floors, wooden and vinyl and even tiled floors – it does everything.”
Unlike the traditional floor cleaners that have a circular pad, the machine’s shape has a big advantage, says Pinakin. “Because it’s rectangular it means it’s more efficient and it can get to hard-to-reach areas, such as corners. Other machines will leave areas that have to be finished by hand to get the same result.”
Adam Hodge, CEO of Master Cleaners Training Institute, is a big fan of procedures that can be carried out naturally. “It’s certainly the way the industry is going,” he says. “Any time we can carry out a quality job with more environmentally friendly methods is certainly a win-win for everyone.”
Chemical-free floor stripping is to become standard practice and will be gradually introduced by CrestClean throughout its regions in 2019, says Adam.
CrestClean has been commended for its green credentials. The company has been certified by Environmental Choice New Zealand (ECNZ) against internationally recognised standards and principles. Products and services that carry the ENCZ label must meet stringent technical standards and be shown to have a minimal environmental impact.
The company’s Environmental Choice-approved services are: Commercial cleaning, carpet and upholstery cleaning, Pure Water window cleaning, and hard floor cleaning and maintenance.
The hallmark recognises the increasing effort of manufacturers and service providers to reduce the environmental impact of their products and services.
The machine achieves a high quality finish to this polished concrete floor.
Pinakin and his brother Hitesh unload the the TomCat floor scrubber.
Weighted plates are added to the machine as Pinakin prepares to start work.
The TomCat is also a highly effective burnisher
