Landed a sizable restaurant for daily cleaning. Kitchen question.

[grimel]

I was just using any available mop head.

Definitely backpack vac instead of sweep. I only sweep if it's really small.

[locko-fabara]

Usually kitchen floors dry quick so i have never seen any problem.
flat microfiber mops do not worked well on my experiences because it does not get into the grout.

[CoastalCleaning]

Usually kitchen floors dry quick so i have never seen any problem.
flat microfiber mops do not worked well on my experiences because it does not get into the grout.

That was a concern when I considered switching to a flat mop.

Is the pro-team coach vac my best option or do you guys recommend another model from their line? I saw hydroforce offers a backpack as well...any experiences with their line?

[e9er]

you need proteam super coach.

[grimel]

That was a concern when I considered switching to a flat mop.

Is the pro-team coach vac my best option or do you guys recommend another model from their line? I saw hydroforce offers a backpack as well...any experiences with their line?

If you are prespraying and hosing down the kitchen you don't need to mop. Squeegee it or buy an auto-pump out wet/dry vac.

[CoastalCleaning]

If you are prespraying and hosing down the kitchen you don't need to mop. Squeegee it or buy an auto-pump out wet/dry vac.

Correct. I don't mop the kitchen. The mopping is done on the roughly 1,200 sq ft of tile and grout throughout the rest of the restaurant. That's been the thorn in my side.

[shane deubell]

Correct. I don't mop the kitchen. The mopping is done on the roughly 1,200 sq ft of tile and grout throughout the rest of the restaurant. That's been the thorn in my side.

OK
out in the seating area? so i assume you cant just go spraying water everywhere

My next suggestion would be over long term look for a used Jr. autoscrubber, a little one.Canvass ebay,craigslist etc.
Probably hard to justify a brand new one on account that size but ibet you can find a cheap used one, eventually

[CoastalCleaning]

OK
out in the seating area? so i assume you cant just go spraying water everywhere

My next suggestion would be over long term look for a used Jr. autoscrubber, a little one.Canvass ebay,craigslist etc.
Probably hard to justify a brand new one on account that size but ibet you can find a cheap used one, eventually

Exactly. I can't spray down, it would just be too messy.

I've never used an autoscrubber before. How are they on overspray? Are these 110...just plug it in. I could probably justify it. Its a large account that essentially doubles our monthly revenue. Its certainly a door opening account for us.

Basically I planned to use this account to buy a bunch of equipment and pay off small debts to free us up and better equip us. Managers change hands, budgets get cut, things are always changing so I wanted to pull the trigger on an assortment of equipment early in the event that 2-3 months down the road a manager quits and we get cut out. Hopefully that day doesn't come but at least we'll have capitalized on it if it ends up being a short term deal. Thankfully the regional manager expressed on interest in a long term relationship.

[grimel]

Exactly. I can't spray down, it would just be too messy.

Try the mopping method I outlined. It really is faster than "normal" mopping. I had to repeatedly show the crews how much faster it was. One time mopping vs two or three.

I've never used an autoscrubber before. How are they on overspray? Are these 110...just plug it in. I could probably justify it. Its a large account that essentially doubles our monthly revenue. Its certainly a door opening account for us.

Battery or 110 are available. The restaurants I was cleaning didn't have enough open space to justify an auto-scrubber (10 tables vs a bajillion booths). Glad you got your big account! Everyone needs an equipment fund builder.

Basically I planned to use this account to buy a bunch of equipment and pay off small debts to free us up and better equip us. Managers change hands, budgets get cut, things are always changing so I wanted to pull the trigger on an assortment of equipment early in the event that 2-3 months down the road a manager quits and we get cut out. Hopefully that day doesn't come but at least we'll have capitalized on it if it ends up being a short term deal. Thankfully the regional manager expressed on interest in a long term relationship.

Good plan. That's what I did (then dumped the restaurants after the 3rd mgr change). Ended up with a lot of good equipment.

IMO, get the backpack first. That cuts your sweep time 1/2. My 2.5 gal sprayer is my most used item after the backpack.

If you are looking at doing large(r) accounts with lots of VCT, buy a batter powered auto-scrubber. Until you use one you can't comprehend how much faster it is than mopping in even semi-open space. Probably want to look at a propane burnisher, at least a good electric (1500 rpm min, 2000 better).

[CoastalCleaning]

Try the mopping method I outlined. It really is faster than "normal" mopping. I had to repeatedly show the crews how much faster it was. One time mopping vs two or three.



Battery or 110 are available. The restaurants I was cleaning didn't have enough open space to justify an auto-scrubber (10 tables vs a bajillion booths). Glad you got your big account! Everyone needs an equipment fund builder.



Good plan. That's what I did (then dumped the restaurants after the 3rd mgr change). Ended up with a lot of good equipment.

IMO, get the backpack first. That cuts your sweep time 1/2. My 2.5 gal sprayer is my most used item after the backpack.

If you are looking at doing large(r) accounts with lots of VCT, buy a batter powered auto-scrubber. Until you use one you can't comprehend how much faster it is than mopping in even semi-open space. Probably want to look at a propane burnisher, at least a good electric (1500 rpm min, 2000 better).

Is there a particular brand that I should be looking at or a particular webfront that I should order from? I see something like this is relatively affordable http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p001892.htm. I would only have to contend with 3 booths on this account. The rest is open floor tile and grout. All the tables are on carpet. I could see the potential of a backpack and scrubber getting me in and out 30-40 minutes faster than we are now.

I tried your method using two buckets. It did help cut down on dumping and refilling. I still had to mop twice to cut the grease. Its layered on coming out of the kitchen down the first hall. Your idea saved me a good 10 minutes though.

[Scott W]

That was a concern when I considered switching to a flat mop.

Is the pro-team coach vac my best option or do you guys recommend another model from their line? I saw hydroforce offers a backpack as well...any experiences with their line?

As a representative for HydroForce, I can say, buy the Pro Team. You will like it better in the long run. Of course, we can sell you either one.

[e9er]

This is what we use.....

http://www.minutemanvac.com/product/...scrubbers.html

Is there a particular brand that I should be looking at or a particular webfront that I should order from? I see something like this is relatively affordable http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p001892.htm. I would only have to contend with 3 booths on this account. The rest is open floor tile and grout. All the tables are on carpet. I could see the potential of a backpack and scrubber getting me in and out 30-40 minutes faster than we are now.

I tried your method using two buckets. It did help cut down on dumping and refilling. I still had to mop twice to cut the grease. Its layered on coming out of the kitchen down the first hall. Your idea saved me a good 10 minutes though.

[shane deubell]

Is there a particular brand that I should be looking at or a particular webfront that I should order from? I see something like this is relatively affordable http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p001892.htm. I would only have to contend with 3 booths on this account. The rest is open floor tile and grout. All the tables are on carpet. I could see the potential of a backpack and scrubber getting me in and out 30-40 minutes faster than we are now.

I tried your method using two buckets. It did help cut down on dumping and refilling. I still had to mop twice to cut the grease. Its layered on coming out of the kitchen down the first hall. Your idea saved me a good 10 minutes though.

Exactly what i was thinking of, a little corded one like that. $1320 is pretty good
although check around more and ask specific questions on shipping

[grimel]

Is there a particular brand that I should be looking at or a particular webfront that I should order from? I see something like this is relatively affordable http://www.cleanfreak.com/Qstore/p001892.htm. I would only have to contend with 3 booths on this account. The rest is open floor tile and grout. All the tables are on carpet. I could see the potential of a backpack and scrubber getting me in and out 30-40 minutes faster than we are now.

That would work. Check out Ebay. There are usually 17-20" electric scrubbers under $700.

I tried your method using two buckets. It did help cut down on dumping and refilling. I still had to mop twice to cut the grease. Its layered on coming out of the kitchen down the first hall. Your idea saved me a good 10 minutes though.

Actually, I use this in a Rubbermaid bucket http://www.rubbermaidcommercialprodu...f-6-p1024.html

This shows it put together. http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/Ob...ake_Family.pdf

What are you using as a degreaser? Even Simple Green was removing the grease the Chili's I was cleaning. Start out slick, end up clean. Use about 4gal of degreaser on IIRC 2500sq ft of dining area. Used 4 gal on 1000 sq ft of kitchen/prep area. How much dwell time are you giving it?

The only time I had to mop twice was if the hose busted and I had to mop the fry area.

[CoastalCleaning]

That would work. Check out Ebay. There are usually 17-20" electric scrubbers under $700.



Actually, I use this in a Rubbermaid bucket http://www.rubbermaidcommercialprodu...f-6-p1024.html

This shows it put together. http://www.rcpworksmarter.com/rcp/Ob...ake_Family.pdf

What are you using as a degreaser? Even Simple Green was removing the grease the Chili's I was cleaning. Start out slick, end up clean. Use about 4gal of degreaser on IIRC 2500sq ft of dining area. Used 4 gal on 1000 sq ft of kitchen/prep area. How much dwell time are you giving it?

The only time I had to mop twice was if the hose busted and I had to mop the fry area.

Zep floor degreaser. About a cup to 2.5 gallons of hot water. I'm thinking about switching to simple green until I find a floor scrubber. I've had good success with engine degreasing.

[e9er]

This is all you will need trust me it works. Go to 6:08 in Video

[CoastalCleaning]

Man that thing is awesome. Looks like Jon Don has them right around 1,500 bucks, well within a reasonable price range. I was worried about something like that being too aggressive on the lobby flooring but with the variety in brushes and height adjustments it seems like it'd work great.

[grimel]

How fast does it go and how much area will it clean before needing to be dumped and refilled?

[e9er]

It can clean up to 3,770 sq. ft. per hour. One gallon clean water tank. recovery tank don't know.

How fast does it go and how much area will it clean before needing to be dumped and refilled?

[shane deubell]

How fast does it go and how much area will it clean before needing to be dumped and refilled?

That would be my only worry, can it make the 1200 sqr's without fill/dump.Minuteman makes fine products though