Simplify Your Cleaning Routine with Mop Buckets & Utility Pails

Mop Bucket and Utility Pails

Choosing the Best Commercial Mop Buckets & Utility Pails for Cleaning

Establishing good cleaning practices is a fundamental step in keeping any public facility safe, sanitary, and welcoming to guests. As a heavily trafficked surface, floors throughout your business need to be cleaned with the proper equipment. Commercial mop buckets and utility pails are essential tools that can assist with cleaning and sanitizing floors in your lobby, restrooms, hallways, and employee-only areas.

Determining the Best Commercial Mop Buckets

A complete commercial mop bucket assembly consists of two pieces: a mop wringer and the bucket itself. The wringer is fitted on the lip of the bucket and used to squeeze excess water out of the mop head. Commercial mop buckets with wringers come in three main types:

  • Down-press wringers require less pressure during use than other configurations. These units are optimal for releasing water, and they don't need to be pulled or bent for operation. Their handle is located above the bucket.
  • Although they require more pressure than down-press units, industrial mop buckets with side-press wringers don't need to be bent or pulled, and their handle is located on the side.
  • Ideal for low-volume businesses, funnel-type wringers are the most economical wringer configuration. These units provide users with more control over mop wetness, and their non-metal construction is best for facilities that have safety concerns, such as prisons. Funnel-type wringers aren't constructed with any moving parts, so pressing isn't required throughout operation.

The main difference between industrial mop buckets with wringers is their size, which is measured by liquid capacities ranging from 6 to 44 quarts. Additionally, there are several features to keep in mind when determining the right commercial mop bucket for your establishment, so be aware of your business' needs and the available options before making an investment.

  • Many buckets are made with a wave-breaking design that reduces splashing when you're using the mop bucket. This feature can help avoid spills, reducing the chance of accidents and cutting down on labor.
  • A mop bucket with a separate dirty water bucket collects water wrung from the mop head in a separate container, rather than in the clean water bucket. This enables you to avoid using water contaminated with the dirt and debris you're cleaning up.
  • Most mop buckets include casters so they can be wheeled around by themselves. Buckets that are intended to be carried on a janitor cart don't include casters; rather, they're designed to rest securely on the bucket platform that's built into many janitor carts.
  • Foot pedal drains eliminate the need to lift and dump the mop bucket to empty its contents. Instead, these buckets can be situated over a floor drain or in a mop sink and released with a convenient foot pedal, lowering labor requirements.
  • Supply caddies are included on some models that can accommodate cleaning supplies and chemicals and even hold small trash bags.

Using Commercial Utility Pails for Cleaning

Cleaning jobs that require a more hands-on approach call for commercial utility pails. These units are suitable for sanitizing equipment and spot-cleaning floors. A lightweight design with a single handle makes these products a great option for transporting several quarts of water or a cleaning solution to different areas within a building. To simplify cleaning, some commercial utility pails are constructed with lips on the rim for easy pouring, while others are designed with compartments that can hold additional supplies. These buckets can be incorporated into your cleaning routine in several ways.

  • Stainless steel and galvanized steel pails make good general-purpose tools, as do white and grey plastic buckets. These are ideal for light cleaning jobs that don't involve hazardous substances or materials.
  • Use color-coded pails to create a system that meets HACCP guidelines. Available in colors ranging from yellow and black to blue, green, and red, these can be used to help maintain a safe, effective cleaning routine and prevent cross contamination by keeping different cleaning solutions separate or assigning specific colors to certain locations, such as the restroom or food prep areas. Some red buckets are labeled specifically for sanitizer, which is helpful for procedures that require a two-step, clean-then-sanitize process.
  • Using buckets designated for specific tasks – such as those marked for the collection of broken glass – keeps potentially hazardous materials contained and makes the cleaning process safer for employees.