How to Clean Greasy Floors in Industrial Spaces

Warehouse Hazards, person riding a ride-on sweeper from Euromec.

Industrial environments are always fraught with dirt, grime and dust from routine production and manufacturing processes. The accumulation or buildup of particulate pollutants, like chemical contaminants, grease and other harmful substances, poses serious health and safety risks. Therefore, maintaining clean surfaces and floors in industrial spaces should be a top priority.

Grease buildup in industrial spaces is fairly common in large processing plants, food manufacturing units and machine-heavy spaces. Inadequate clean-up of grease and poor maintenance of floors in such areas can cause bacterial growth, unpleasant odours and slippery surfaces. It’s vital to clean greasy floors with effective cleaning solutions and industrial-grade cleaning equipment. 

Cleaning equipment like scrubber dryers, pressure washers and rotary floor machines are effective for cleaning industrial spaces. When combined with the right cleaning solutions, they are some of the best ways to clean greasy floors.

In this article, we explore ways to keep your floors grease-free, clean and safe.  

1. Identify the Type of Grease and Flooring Material

What cleans grease off floors effectively? To answer this, you must understand that the right equipment and cleaning solutions only work effectively when you know the type of grease and flooring material you’re dealing with. This is crucial, as the wrong cleaning solutions can end up damaging floor surfaces. It usually happens because grease reacts differently to different types of cleaning agents.

Since cleaning solutions for industrial spaces are formulated keeping heavy-duty cleaning in mind, these often contain harsh chemical compositions in high ratios. These can prove abrasive for certain floor types and cause surface damage. 

For example, petroleum-based grease is best tackled using modern citrus-based chemicals that are best suited for coated floors like epoxy and polished concrete floors. 

2. Choose the Right Degreasing Agents for the Job

Once you’ve correctly identified the floor and grease type, you’ll find it easier to source the right degreasing agents. Industrial-grade degreasers are quite potent and break down the toughest grease with relative ease. 

These come in different formulations, such as solvent-based or water-based, enabling them to clean greasy floors effectively and efficiently. Industrial spaces that work with the manufacturing and production of food and beverages, breweries, pharmaceutical laboratories and automotive industries benefit from eco-friendly water-based degreasers.

Solvent-based degreasers are stronger when compared to water-soluble degreasing agents and are best suited to industries that use heavy machinery. They’re usually quick drying, making them useful for fast-paced industrial settings. 

3. Use Scrubber Dryers for Deep and Even Cleaning

Looking to clean greasy floors effectively in large industrial spaces? Then, modern industrial cleaning equipment, like scrubber dryers, are the perfect solution for you. 

Modern scrubber dryer machines combine multiple functions where scrubbing, drying and vacuuming are all automated and happen in one pass. These are super efficient in tackling the toughest grease, leaving you with clean and residue-free floors with minimal effort.

At Euromec, we have high-quality scrubber dryers for deep and even surface cleaning, perfect for large industrial spaces. To learn more about our products, call us today.

4. Prioritise Safety With Signage, Ventilation, and Slip Prevention

Industrial spaces pose health and safety risks because of multiple manufacturing and production processes. To make these spaces safe for your workers, especially when trying to clean greasy floors, adequate precautions must be taken. 

This includes using anti-slip coatings in high-traffic areas to prevent slip incidents. Correct usage of signage during scheduled cleaning and maintenance in such areas can make it easier for workers to navigate and avoid potential injuries.

Special care must be taken when using potent chemical-based solvents. These produce harmful fumes when reacting with grease and stubborn stains, which can pose a health and safety risk. Proper ventilation in such spaces can minimise these risks and allow for better air flow.

5. Set a Routine Cleaning Schedule to Prevent Build-Up

Preventative maintenance is always better for tackling grease, grime and other factory cleaning challenges. Establishing regular cleaning schedules can be an effective way to address this, especially for high-traffic areas. A regular cleaning routine can be designed based on your industrial facility’s requirements.

For example, in food production units, grease stains are a common occurrence and may benefit from daily cleaning routines. Whereas other industries may require only weekly cleaning schedules. It’s also important to maintain your industrial floor cleaning machines for efficient and smooth functioning.

Be sure to schedule at least one day in your cleaning and maintenance routine for a deep clean. While daily cleaning can keep your floors in good condition, intensive cleaning every once in a while can extend the lifespan of your floor. 

For High-Quality Cleaning Machines, Choose Euromec

Now that you know how to clean greasy floors in industrial spaces, why not invest in industrial cleaning equipment?

At Euromec, we’re a leading supplier of high-quality industrial cleaning machines and ground maintenance equipment in the UK. Our products range from sweepers and scrubber dryers to lawn mowers and other compact machines.

We have decades of experience in the industry, providing durable equipment to clean warehouses, factory spaces, and outdoor areas. We’re committed to offering excellent customer service to ensure our products perform as required.

Want to keep your industrial or commercial environments spotless? Get in touch with our experts today.