What to Consider When Selecting Floor-Care Machines

EON ALLERGENCleaning equipment selection is becoming ever more important for facilities managers and custodial directors as North America's schools grapple with flattening operating budgets.

“Custodial directors often wrestle with the question of when to replace or repair floor-care equipment,” said Brad Hoare, product manager, Sanitaire. “New equipment is a significant expenditure, especially when spending-per-student is tight. But remember, the machine’s price is only one factor.”

Below are other factors to consider:

  1. Machine life: Determine the machinery's cost of ownership. Product warranties offer some guidance. Examine the warranty period and determine the number of hours the machine will be used during that span. Also look for machines that are easy to maintain. Every minute it takes to change vacuum bags, brushrolls and filters is a minute the machine is out of service. Look for equipment with easy access compartments to replace disposables or remove clogs. Also consider products that assemble quickly and without the use of tools.
  2. EON ALLERGENWorker comfort: The weight and maneuverability of equipment plays a key role in minimizing stress and maximizing the productivity of cleaning crews. Ergonomic design that shifts weight from the handle to the base of the machine helps crews operate productively and with less musculoskeletal stress.
  3. CRI Certification: Look for equipment that has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval. This certification rates machines for soil removal capabilities, dust containment and their impact on carpet appearance and wear. The Sanitaire EON™ QuietClean® holds the CRI's gold rating and it emits only 69 decibels of operating sound, so it meets green cleaning standards of the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program.
  4. Machine capacity: Consider machines that are built to cover more area more quickly, such as wide-area vacuums that can clean up to a 28-inch path, or backpack vacuums that can speed area cleaning or above-the-floor cleaning.
  5. Air Quality: Did you know 40 percent of students suffer from respiratory allergies or asthma? This causes them to miss tens of thousands of days of school each year. If your educational facility is located in areas prone to high-levels of air allergens during key seasons, consider a machine that is certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Sanitaire’s EON™ ALLERGEN helps reduce exposure to allergens and irritants, provides increased environmental control and withstands routine cleaning and care.

For more information, visit www.sanitairecommercial.com/eon

Sanitaire
Patrick Norris, Associate Product Marketing Manager
1-800-800-8975
[email protected]

Sponsored by: Sanitaire

Featured

  • Midland ISD Starts Construction on Two New High Schools

    The Midland Independent School District recently announced that it will break ground on two new high schools in Midland, Texas, according to a news release. The district is partnering with Pfluger Architects, Lee Lewis Construction, and Satterfield & Pontikes to create a total of over 1.5 million square feet for 8,400 students in grades 9–12.

  • University of Kentucky Stormwater Harvesting System Receives Award

    The Utilities and Energy Management team from the University of Kentucky recently received a Grand Award at the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards, according to a university news release. The award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky was for the university’s Central Utility Plant (CUP) Stormwater Harvesting System, which activated in fall 2023.

  • K–12 Safety Trends Report Reveals Reliance on Training, Technology

    Wearable safety technology provider CENTEGIX recently released its 2025 School Safety Trends Report, according to a news release. The report is based on more than 265,000 incidents during the 2024–25 school year as reported through the CENTEGIX Safety Platform, used by more than 800 school districts across the U.S.

  • Creating a First and Lasting Impression with Thoughtful, Sustainable Design

    Clemson University’s Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center serves as the new front door to campus, anchoring the Tiger experience through each step in the student journey.

Digital Edition