Surface Cleaner Selection

by Diane M. Calabrese |Published February 2025

 

If anyone gets nostalgic recalling the days of mops, sponges, and buckets with manual ringers, then such tools can still be had.

Perhaps times were never truly simple. We just know a mop could (and can) always be selected based on its size and type (cloth or sponge). Assuredly, there were days so simple that clothes washers did not have 12 or more settings.

But back to the present. Choices abound in equipment and tools. The idea is to make our mechanized helpers the optimal tool for the task. It can get complicated.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of expert advice to be had when mulling over which surface cleaner to purchase. Advice comes from both manufacturers and end users. And we tap into some from each.

“Any surface cleaner will be a time-saving tool over a pressure washer alone,” says Aaron Auger with BE Power Equipment, which is headquartered in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. “Using a surface cleaner that is properly paired with a pressure washer that provides the needed flow will go a long way to ensuring that the job you are doing gets done right the first time, and you won’t have to worry about spending extra time gong over the same surface multiple times.”

The pairing of surface cleaner and pressure washer deserves emphasis. Tools used to complete the same job often complement each other. Contract cleaners know that even with the most refined equipment, a sponge and a bucket can always be good to have on hand.

For contractors just getting started with surface cleaners, Auger recommends trials to prevent errors. “It’s always a good idea to experiment with any equipment to get a feel for it prior to using it on a surface when you are not 100 percent sure what the results may be.”

The test run will ascertain the surface cleaner is the correct tool. “Although most jobs that require a surface cleaner will be hard surfaces, such as a sidewalk, parking lot, or driveway, they are also huge timesavers for decks, which may not be as tough as concrete,” says Auger.

Start with the basics when choosing a machine. “There are many different surface cleaners, so depending on the job, size is important,” says Auger. For instance, smaller radius machines “are ideal” for sidewalk and steps, while larger radius machines “will be much more efficient” for a parking garage or car lot.

Also consider the pairing of the surface cleaner to the pressure washer. “Most surface cleaners work well at four gpm, but as you go to a larger diameter, they may include a third nozzle that will require additional flow for optimal results,” explains Auger.

Know the minimum and maximum flow rates of your equipment, says Auger. Also remember that owning a surface cleaner is just one choice. “Renting equipment for a specific job is an option for the contractor who may not have multiple sizes of surface cleaners to get a specific job completed.”

 

A Feeling for the Machine

John Cloud, president of Gorilla Kleen in Sarasota, FL, bought his first surface cleaner, a Mosmatic stainless-steel model with swivel, some 13 years ago from Alkota Cleaning Systems. “I have continued to use them ever since,” he says.

Durability is a top reason for Cloud’s constancy. “The machines are literally bullet proof,” he explains.

“I have had at least two of my guys run over them with a truck, and I beat them back into shape, and they went back to work,” says Cloud. He adds that he and his team have become experts on both rebuilding and changing the swivels.

Team members can change out a swivel in five minutes. “Because we have four to five crews, we have lots of surface cleaners; but they are all the same, use the same parts, skirts, bars, tips, etc., so it makes maintenance easy,” says Cloud.

Assess, then invest. That’s the way for contractors to go, says Cloud. “I see lots and lots of guys investing large sums in really large surface cleaners—most with multiple spray heads—sometimes running off of multiple or super large machines. Over time, I am most comfortable with the ‘keep it simple, stupid’ approach.”

In November when commenting to us, Cloud had just cleaned a 275,000-sq.-ft. parking garage in two days using his stable of 19-in. stainless-steel cleaners. “They are simple to use, easy to grab a spare if one fails for some reason, fit into corners,” and so on, he says.

Cloud says his team routinely cleans garages in the same size range with the same 19-inch cleaners. Eight people complete the work in about eight hours.

When choosing a surface cleaner, factor in ergonomics as well as ease of repairs. A 10-gallon machine can be split up into two spray bars each with 2.5-gallon tips and make the machine wider, explains Cloud.

A wider machine covers more area, true. “Great, but you have to walk slower because you are using the same amount of energy from the 10 gallons,” explains Cloud. His team prefers to move faster, something the 19-inch cleaner on the 10-gallon machine enables.

It’s inevitable that swivels will wear out and break down. If there are two swivels and one declines faster, the operator will have to compensate by slowing down to accommodate the bar moving at slower speed to avoid swirls, explains Cloud.

Unfortunately, slowing down is only one issue. Clogged tips are another. Cloud explains that two- or 2.5-gallon tips clog easier. “And you have four of them.”

 

A Candid Assessment

Buy for the present, not for what might be. “The size and scope of your cleaning projects are crucial considerations,” says Jud West, owner of WashRite Services in Valdosta, GA.

“It’s essential to assess the scale of your projects when making a choice,” says West. “For extensive cleaning projects, wheeled surface cleaners are an excellent choice.”

Wheeled machines are “ideal for commercial environments; they are perfect for gas stations, strip malls, new construction sites, etc.,” says West. “In contrast, floater surface cleaners are better suited for residential tasks.”

The floater machines “provide the maneuverability and precision needed for smaller, more detailed areas,” explains West. “They excel at cleaning residential concrete surfaces, including entrance sidewalks, front and back patios, curbs, and even smaller driveways.”

Wheeled versus floater configuration is one of the three factors that should be considered when purchasing a surface cleaner, says West. The other two are gpm [gallons per minute] and temperature compatibility.

West says the general rule is to ensure the flow rate and the diameter (in inches) of the machine are in a ratio of 1:4. A machine with a one gpm flow rate is a match for a four-inch diameter surface cleaner. A pressure washer with a four-gpm rating is a match for a 16-inch diameter surface cleaner.

The short brief about  temperature compatibility is this: A surface cleaner built for use with cold water should not be fed hot water.

“Surface cleaners are designed for either cold or hot water,” says West. “Using a cold-water cleaner with hot water can lead to premature damage to the internal swivel.”

A candid assessment of needs and goals puts a contractor in the best position to choose a surface cleaner. “Users can make informed decisions that ensure efficient and effective cleaning, ultimately saving time and resources” if they first take time to factor in all the variables—machine configuration, flow rate, and temperature, says West.

 

Advice from a Manufacturer

“Where is the unit manufactured?” That’s one question Bruce Tassone, president of HydraMotion in Pottstown, PA, urges contractors to ask their distributor or manufacturer.

“Our company designs and manufacturers our units in Pennsylvania,” says Tassone. “This allows us to offer rapid response time to our distributors and contractors for any of their needs.”

Contractors should also ask about chemicals. Which can be used in their surface cleaner? “Our SideWinder is manufactured using urethane, aluminum, and stainless-steel components to ensure a long-lasting life,” says Tassone. “It can be used with a variety of cleaning chemicals that will not harm the unit.”

Contractors should always consult with their chemical supplier about the effect of chemicals on substrates and environs. They should also consult their equipment manufacturer about chemical compatibility with machines.

Tassone says that his company has three suggestions for contractors: “Test your surface cleaner with your specific pressure washer before buying or using it on large projects. Invest in durable equipment to minimize downtime and repair costs—cost of use is important. Consult manufacturers for advice on nozzle configurations, cleaning agents, and maintenance best practices.”

Each person who uses, manufactures, or sells a surface cleaner has a slightly different vantage from which to advise where to start when choosing for the first time or upgrading. In the next section, Tassone responds to two fundamental questions from the view he and his team have.

 

Making a Match

Cleaner Times: Which is more important when selecting a surface cleaner: the type of substrate or the type of soiling?

Tassone: Both substrate and soil composition are equally critical when choosing a surface cleaner. An ideal surface cleaner will have the versatility to clean a variety of substrates, like concrete and wood, and attack various soil types, like grease and mildew. To ensure the surface cleaner can manage multiple cleaning projects, the deck should be configured to achieve an even spray pattern distribution. A durable swivel that withstands a range of pressures and flows is essential as it controls the spray bar’s rpm [revolutions per minute] and cleaning efficiency. Once the proper surface cleaner is selected, the contractor can then adjust his nozzles to accommodate the substrate. As a practical example, for delicate surfaces like wood, avoid narrow sprays or high-pressure nozzles to prevent damage.

Cleaner Times: What’s the biggest mistake contractors make when selecting a surface cleaner?

Tassone: Our sales team’s experience has shown that some contractors may unintentionally purchase a surface cleaner that is either poor quality or insufficiently rugged. We have contractors that have purchased our machines after trying less inexpensive units that have failed prematurely or in the middle of large projects. Less expensive units are typically not designed for reliability and durability. Common issues include fragile swivels, broken decks, or weak handle assemblies. These problems inevitably lead to unforeseen repair costs and down time that contractors cannot afford.      The secondary issue is that many contractors believe bigger is better. A larger surface cleaner is great when you have a large square foot project. Large surface cleaners may seem appealing for big projects but can fail to perform efficiently if the pressure washer lacks sufficient power or is undersized. This causes poor cleaning results or slower cleaning speeds. We recommend matching the size of the surface cleaner to your equipment’s capabilities and the project requirements.

As you consider which surface cleaner or surface cleaners to purchase, the helpful advice given here should provide you with important factors to consider and benefit from.