What are the different ways to clean an escalator? People don’t think about how hard and arduous the task of cleaning an escalator can be. There are many moving components and this type of flooring can be difficult to return to like-new condition. There are three common ways to clean an escalator. The first is by hand, which can be difficult and time consuming work with poor results. The second is to use a small portable auto scrubber with dual rotating brushes. The third and final way to clean an escalator is to use a professional escalator cleaner.
Cleaning and escalators can be done by hand, but require a huge time commitment or overwhelming amount of manpower. The hardest part to clean this ever-moving staircase is the groves on each step. Over time, dirt and debris become trapped in these groves and build up and become compacted and difficult to remove. Using physical labor, the only way to clean these groves is to use a brush and clean each grove one by one, on some escalators there may be thousands of groves which can take days if not weeks to clean.
There are many companies around the world that produce floor equipment to clean many types of floors. Some of these companies produce smaller auto scrubbers with counter-rotating brushes that can deep clean grout lines and grooves, such as escalator steps. These machines are capable of light cleaning of escalator steps, but do not have the length of brush bristles to reach deep grooves in the steps. This is an easy alternative to removing overhead debris, but it will only scratch the surface and will not restore the escalator system to its original appearance.
The best way to clean an escalator is to use a professional escalator cleaning machine. These machines are designed to move easily from one rung to the next and use a water pump system that first sprays water into the grooves in the rung. After squirting water onto the step, the long rotating brushes deep clean to remove the toughest debris that has compacted over time. To complete the cleaning cycle, a powerful vacuum system is used to extract dirt and water from the steps, returning the escalator to its original appearance.
Starting any business can be difficult, but escalator cleaning is a great way to break into the commercial cleaning industry. Two main elements are needed to start your own escalator cleaning business. The first is a professional escalator cleaner. These cleaning machines can range from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on what features the unit has. A good quality escalator cleaner can weigh up to 1,500 pounds, so be sure to choose one that comes with a carrying system so it can be easily loaded on and off a trailer or truck.
Depending on your location and the size of the escalator, the average escalator cleaning job can easily cost $2000-$5000 for a single cleaning. It is important to have the right equipment to get the job done professionally so you can build up a repeat clientele. Make sure you use a machine from a reputable manufacturer that produces the best and most durable escalator cleaning equipment.