First Impressions Count

An attractive school or university campus makes a lasting impression, helping to recruit both students and staff. In today’s modern society, keeping a lid on the amount of litter generated can be a very costly business. Maintaining a clean and litter free environment at large premises with paths, grounds and synthetic pitches is very time consuming. Fallen leaves, paper and other types of rubbish are all commonplace in our schools and colleges. What’s more they are all difficult to collect using traditional manual sweeping. Luckily, there are quicker and more efficient methods, designed to take the hassle out of litter collection, which also produce excellent results.

In determining the correct equipment to employ, several factors have to be considered. Most obvious is the type of debris to be removed. Powered sweepers are used to collect dirt, paper and other common types of rubbish. Where there is stubborn grease and grime, combination scrubber dryers are the best solution. Size matters. The machine needs to be big enough to cope with the area to be cleaned in a reasonable time scale, yet manoeuvrable enough to operate within the confines of the area to be swept.

Powered sweepers come as either walk-behind or ride-on. Larger ride-on versions are best for cleaning large open spaces, inside or out. The smaller riders and pedestrian units are, probably, more applicable to the education market and are ideal for cleaning playgrounds, car parks and other confined spaces. There are even versions for cleaning and maintaining synthetic grass pitches.

Battery or electrically operated pedestrian sweepers are far more efficient at collecting litter than the traditional methods. They can clean up to ten times the area one person, with a brush, can cover in the same time. The actual performance is 75% of the theoretical. Consideration has to be given to emptying the hopper and manoeuvring around obstacles. What’s more, they sweep totally dust free. A brush, whilst collecting larger debris, will disperse dust. Powered sweepers, like Euromec’s pedestrian operated Brava, normally have dust control systems. In the case of the Brava, the main brush sweeps against the direction of travel and throws the refuse into a rear-mounted hopper. Powerful vacuum systems collect the dust. Side mounted brushes mean that the sweepers can clean right up against a wall. Unlike similar models on the market, the Brava’s compact dimensions allow it to easily access awkward places, inside or out.

Micro scrubbing and drying machines are fast becoming the new standard for cleaning internally in areas such as gymnasiums, corridors and school halls. They are the ideal solution for removing stubborn stains and restoring surface finish. Advances in technology mean that small ride-on scrubber dryers, such as Euromec’s Drive, offer far greater productivity than equivalent pedestrian models and do not cost a great deal more. Characterised by their compactness and manoeuvrability, battery powered machines can clean in all the places that a man or woman with a mop and bucket can reach. The majority of floor scrubbers, available today can be supplied with either single or twin cleaning discs or roller brush for the cleaning of various surfaces. Euromec machines can also be fitted with special squeegees to ensure that the surface is left dry.

Whatever the cleaning needs, large or small, inside or out, there is a machine available that will get the job done more efficiently and far more quickly than by employing traditional methods.