Updated December 4, 2020
From heavy kegs and forklifts to thermal shock and harsh chemicals, properly maintaining the floors of a brewery presents a number of challenges. A brewery floor handles a lot of wear and tear, and every brewery should maintain a effective cleaning protocol to avoid bacteria infestations.
Preserve Your Concrete Floor
Though all operations are designed differently, making this industry as diverse as its bottle labels, concrete floors have essentially become industry standard due to their ability to withstand the abusive nature of operation. A lot of thought likely went into the floors when it was time to consider the brewery's location and design. Ideally, a brewery's floors are durable, slip resistant, attractive and sloped for draining purposes. Make sure you know the proper way to maintain your brewery’s concrete floor.
During operation, a brewery's floors succumb to heavy equipment, foot traffic, spilling, staining, and caustic chemicals. These factors were probably taken into consideration when choosing a high-performance coating, like a heavy-duty urethane, to protect the concrete. The amount of thought that went into the floors and coating initially should be sustained with the same diligence when it comes to maintaining them.
In today's regulated industy, a commercial floor scrubber such as the Bulldog holds many advantages over a mop and bucket for keeping brewery floors clean, sanitary, and dry.
4 Benefits to Using a Floor Scubber on Brewery Floors
1. Sanitation
Did you know that the floors are the greatest source of bacteria (besides the floor drain) in a brewery? After the first time a mop is wrung in a bucket, the entire bucket is contaminated with dirty water. From then on the mop is basically redistributing filth. By using an auto scrubber, you can rest assured that the water and solution used for cleaning the floor are clean. Sitting water can also become a cesspool for bacteria growth. The Bulldog is equipped with extreme suction, scrubbing and leaving the floors incredibly dry.
2. Productivity
Much of a brewer's day is spent cleaning. Using a mop and bucket is time consuming. The Bulldog floor scrubber can cover up to 23,800 sq. ft. per hour. This compact auto scrubber is designed to withstand heavy daily use. The offset scrub head and optional remote scrub and vac wand allow you to clean under kegs and in hard to reach spaces with extreme suction. The Bulldog is simple to use, cleans along edges and drains with ease.
3. Safety
Damp or wet floors are a fall hazard for employees and visitors. A Brewers Association tip for avoiding slips: "look into cleaning products that can remove slimes without leaving a slippery surface. In areas that are regularly wet, find ways to eliminate the source of the liquid or reroute traffic." An auto scrubber such as the Bulldog can help remove excess water and clean spills. The Bulldog is equipped with a urethane squeegee that lasts four times longer than a rubber or linatex blade. This oil resistant urethane blade that is soft and pliable leaves floors exceptionaly dry. It also has a built in breakaway safety feature.
4. Appearance
Breweries are usually customer facing. This means that the floors should reflect the same time and care put into crafting the prefect brew. Dirty, damp floors can be the unsightly cause of an unwelcome smell to customers who are touring or tasting in the facility. With a small footprint, the Bulldog Mini floor scrubber can be easily maneuvered around and underneath tables, and it's verstaile enough to clean both tasting room floors and bathrooms.
Brewery Floor Cleaning Procedure
In addition to hygienic and visual benefits, properly maintaining the floors will increase the life of the coated concrete floor. Spillage that is left unaddressed can stain and damage the finish of the floor. Depending on how much soil and spills accumulate in the brewery, a scrubber should be used accordingly.
Frequency of Maintenance
The frequency of maintenance increases with the amount of dirt and soilage that accumulates in the work environment.
- High traffic areas should be scrubbed daily
- All floors should be swept daily and scrubbed at least once a week
The American-made Bulldog floor scrubber is built to withstand this type of heavy-duty daily use.
Use the Right Detergent
For general cleaning, use a 30:1 mixture of a neutral PH detergent.
Soft nylon brushes or white pads should be used when cleaning a finished floor. More aggressive brushes or pads can dull a coated finish, though they are completely safe to clean and buff an unfinished floor.
Spills can cause staining, are safety hazards, and should be cleaned up immediately. For stubborn stains, soak the area with a 25:1 solution of neutral PH and allow the mixture to soak for 10 minutes before scrubbing. If the stain remains, soak the stain in 100% chemical detergent for 10 minutes before scrubbing. Stains which are a result of chemical attack may never be completely removed without grinding down the surface.
Don't forget to always wear protective gear when working with chemicals.
Breweries are an American staple. We understand how important community is to brewery owners. At Factory Cleaning Equipment, we believe in products that benefit the community as well. Our neutral PH detergent is environmentally friendly and our scrubbers and sweepers are all American made. Compact, heavy duty, and easy to use - let the Bulldog do the work for you.