What are the different ways to clean an escalator? People don’t think about what a hard and arduous task it can be to clean an escalator. There are many moving components and this type of flooring can be difficult to bring back to new or near new condition. There are three common ways to clean an escalator. The first is by hand which can be a very time consuming and difficult job with poor outcomes. The second is using a small portable auto scrubber with dual rotating brushes. The third and ultimate way to clean an escalator is to use a professional escalator cleaner.
Cleaning and escalator by hand can be done, but requires either a massive commitment of time or an over-whelming amount of man power. The most difficult part of cleaning this ever-moving stairway are the groves on each step. Over time dirt and debris gets caught in these groves and builds up becoming compacted and hard to remove. Using physical man power the only way to clean these groves is to use a brush and clean out every grove one by one, on some escalators there can be thousands of groves which could take days if not weeks to clean.
There are many companies worldwide that produce floor equipment for cleaning many types of flooring. Some of these companies produce smaller auto scrubbers with counter rotating brushes that can deep clean grout lines and groves such as escalator steps. These machines are capable of light duty cleaning of escalator steps but do not have the brush bristle length to reach the into the deep groves of the steps. This is an easy alternative for removing top debris but will only scratch the surface and will not bring the escalator system back to its original appearance.
The ultimate way to clean an escalator is to use a professional escalator cleaning machine. These machines are designed to easily move from step to step and utilize a water pump system that first sprays water into the groves of the step. After water is jetted into the step long rotating brushes clean deep down to remove the toughest debris that has been compacted over time. To complete the cleaning cycle a strong vacuum system is used to extract the dirt and water from the steps bringing the escalator back to its original new looking condition.
Starting any business can be difficult but escalator cleaning is a great way to get into the commercial cleaning industry. There are two major items 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 the features the unit has. A good quality escalator cleaner can weigh up to 1500 pounds so be sure to choose one that comes with a transport system so it can be easily loaded in and out of a trailer or van.
Depending on your location and the size of the escalator the average escalator cleaning job can easily cost between $2000 to $5000 for just one cleaning. It is important to have the right equipment to perform the job professionally so that you can build up repeat clientele. Make sure to use a machine from a reputable manufacturer who produces the best and most durable escalator cleaning equipment.