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Janitorial Brush Buying Guide

Types of Janitorial Brushes

Nothing ruins a dining out experience like messy floors, dusty windows, and dirty bathrooms. When the restaurant, café, or bar is not clean, you start to question the management, the service, and ultimately the food. If that happens, the restaurant starts losing money. Taking the time to clean properly will prevent those issues and keep customers coming back for more. Good sanitation begins with proper cleaning tools and the most important tool is the brush. This guide provides the basics of janitorial cleaning brushes to ensure your business stays in tip-top shape.

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Types of Cleaning Brushes

There is a lot more to brushes than meets the eye. There are dozens of different types of brushes, each type has a specific use, and there are different bristles for every type of job. That's a lot to take in! The easiest place to start is a list of the basic janitorial brushes every foodservice operation needs:

Duster brush

Duster

For use on all surfaces to remove dust particles and boost visual appeal

Floor and wall brush

Floor and Wall Brush

For use on non-carpet floors and walls to remove grease and grime before mopping

Grout brush

Grout Brush

For use on tile floors to clear heavy dirt and grime from between tiles

Hand and nail brush

Hand and Nail Brush

Placed next to a stainless steel sink to promote proper hygiene when washing hands

Push broom

Push Broom

For clearing floors of dirt and dust before scrubbing and mopping

Toilet brush

Toilet Brush

Placed in restrooms next to the toilet to promote frequent and thorough cleaning and sanitation

Bristle Types

There are different bristles available for different jobs. When selecting a bristle type, you'll want to keep in mind several factors, including recovery strength and softness. Recovery strength refers to a bristle's ability to retain its original shape and rigidity, even after consistent use. Bristles with good recovery strength will have a longer useful life and not break or splay out from the center of the brush. Bristle softness is a measure of how coarse bristles are to the touch. Soft bristles are ideal for delicate surfaces you wish to protect from scratches, while hard bristles are useful for cutting through tough grease and grime.

It can be overwhelming, but understanding the bristle types and their typical applications will make your decision easier and ensure that you are purchasing the proper brush for any job.

Synthetic bristles

Synthetic Bristles

  • Can be used as floor sweeps, toilet brushes, floor scrubbers, or all-purpose scrub brushes
  • Medium softness
  • Easy to clean
  • Bacteria-resistant
  • Heat-resistant

Vegetable fiber bristles

Vegetable Fiber Bristles

  • Can be used as heavy floor scrubbers, all-purpose scrub brushes, or counter dusters
  • Hard bristles
  • Easy to clean
  • Heat-resistant

Animal Hair Bristles

  • Can be used as floor sweeps, dusters, or brushes for gentle cleaning
  • Bristles are very soft
  • Heat-resistant

Wire Bristles

  • Can be used as grout brushes or to remove heavy soil
  • Very hard bristles
  • Easy to clean
  • Heat-resistant

Caring for Your Brushes

Because janitorial brushes do such heavy cleaning, they require some cleaning of their own. Janitorial brushes are very durable, so cleaning and caring for them is easy. Do remember, however, that some brushes may not necessarily need cleaning. It would be terribly unsanitary to hand-wash a toilet brush, not only because of what it is used for, but also because of the chemicals it may come in contact with. The same can be said for push brooms and floor scrubbers. You don't want them to be filthy, but these brushes do not require regular cleaning either. Grout brushes, hand and nail brushes, and general scrub brushes, on the other hand, can and should be cleaned periodically.

ACS B125 5 1/2 inch Scrubble Iron Handle Scrub Brush with Poly Bristles
To care for your brushes:

  1. Run your brush under hot water and rub bristles with dish detergent (to avoid contamination, wash janitorial brushes in a sink separate from kitchen sinks).
  2. Keep an eye on the base of your brush, making sure that no grime or grease remains lodged where the bristles meet the handle.
  3. Leave in a clean place to air dry.

Related Resources

Types of Restaurant Wipes for Sanitation

Whether you're cleaning up spills, sanitizing food-contact surfaces, or dusting display counters, wipes and wipers are essential to any food service establishment. We offer different types of wipes with various features so you can maintain the highest standard of cleanliness on all your surfaces and abide by food safety guidelines .

Hiring a Cleaning Service for Your Restaurant

Restaurant cleaning services can be a helpful addition to those who may be short on time or looking to ease the workload of their staff. A clean restaurant creates an inviting atmosphere, safer working conditions, and can help reduce the risk of cross-contamination . Commercial cleaning services that cater to the restaurant industry can be well-equipped to thoroughly sanitize and degrease high-volume kitchens and keep other areas in your restaurant looking good. Below are some helpful hints and tips for hiring the right professional cleaning service to fit your budget and needs. Shop All Janitorial Supplies Use the following links to navigate through the article: Importance of Keeping Your Restaurant Clean Limitations and Benefits of Hiring

Microfiber Cleaning Products Buying Guide

Make dirt and dust disappear by using the right microfiber cleaning product! Not only are they easy to use and reusable, but they will leave your facility spotless. With our vast selection of microfiber wet mops, dry mops, cloths, and mitts, you are bound to find the right products to help maintain and clean your facility.

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