Floor Pad Selection Guide

Floor care pads follow an international colour system:
• White & Red = polishing, routine cleaning
• Blue = periodic cleaning, moderate soil
• Green = deep scrubbing, light coating removal
• Brown & Black = stripping and removal of worn coatings

How to choose the right pad:
Match pad aggressiveness to floor hardness (soft floors → light pads, hard/mineral floors → medium or aggressive pads). Adjust selection to machine type (rotary, orbital, scrubber-dryer) and speed class. Always start with the least abrasive option.

Machine compatibility:
Scrubber-dryers (100–300 RPM), single-disc machines (150–300 RPM), orbitals for deep cleaning, high-speed burnishers for gloss restoration (300–3000 RPM).

Best practice:
Use white/red for gloss, blue for soil removal, green for deep scrubbing, brown/black for stripping. Use brushes on uneven floors for better contact.

Outcome:
Correct pad selection protects coatings, improves cleaning efficiency, reduces machine load and lowers total maintenance cost.

What floor pad should I use for my cleaning machine?

Choose a pad based on the floor type and the level of soil. Light-coloured floor pads (white, red) are designed for polishing and routine maintenance, while medium pads (blue, green) handle periodic cleaning and deep scrubbing. Dark pads (brown, black) are intended for stripping and coating removal. Correct pad selection protects the floor, improves cleaning efficiency and extends the lifetime of both the floor and the machine.

Why Choosing the Right Floor Pad Matters

Using the correct floor pad on a scrubber-dryer, single-disc machine or orbital floor machine is essential for achieving consistent cleaning results and preventing unnecessary wear on both the floor and the equipment.

A pad that is too soft may leave residues and reduce cleaning efficiency, while a pad that is too abrasive can permanently damage coatings, sealants or sensitive surfaces such as wood, marble and vinyl.

Modern floor maintenance follows an internationally recognised colour-coding system. However, pad performance varies between manufacturers, so always verify specifications and test on a small area if needed.

Floor Pad Types – Overview

Floor care pads are classified by colour to indicate their level of abrasiveness and the cleaning tasks they are designed for. Light pads (white, red) are used for polishing and routine cleaning, medium pads (blue, green) are intended for periodic or deep scrubbing, while dark pads (brown, black) are used for stripping and coating removal. Matching pad type to floor material, soil level and machine speed ensures consistent, predictable cleaning performance.

Quick Summary – How to Select the Correct Pad

• Light soil / polishing: White or red pad
• Periodic cleaning: Blue pad
• Deep scrubbing: Green pad
• Stripping / coating removal: Brown or black pad
• Uneven floors: Use brushes for better surface contact
• High-gloss floors: Use high-speed burnishing pads

Optimise Your Cleaning Performance

Matching pad type to floor material and soil conditions significantly improves cleaning efficiency and reduces machine load. Clean Part supplies pads made from recycled polyester fibres with water-based resin systems, compatible with all major floor machines in retail, logistics, commercial buildings and industrial facilities.

Suitable for:
• Single-disc machines (150–300 RPM)
• Scrubber-dryers (100–300 RPM)
• Orbital/oscillating machines
• High-speed burnishers (up to 3000 RPM with appropriate pads)

Expert Advice – How to Select the Optimal Floor Pad

Selecting the correct pad requires aligning pad aggressiveness to the hardness of the floor surface and the configuration of the machine. Soft or coated floors should be treated with non-abrasive pads to avoid scratching or premature wear, while dense mineral surfaces such as terrazzo and concrete often require more aggressive or diamond-based pads for effective soil removal or restoration.

For scrubber-dryers, medium-aggressive pads should be used only when necessary, as excess friction increases driver wear. On single-disc machines, pad density must match the machine’s pressure profile: lightweight pads for high-speed polishing and denser pads for low-speed deep scrubbing. On uneven or textured surfaces, brushes often provide better contact and cleaning uniformity than pads.

When uncertain, start with the least aggressive pad and increase only as needed. This minimises risk, preserves coatings and ensures predictable long-term maintenance.

Expert Guidance – Professional Support From Clean Part

Clean Part supports operators, workshops and facility managers in choosing the correct pad for each floor type and machine model. We evaluate:

• Floor material and coating system
• Machine speed class (low-speed, orbital, high-speed)
• Pad holder configuration
• Soil levels and maintenance routines

We also help establish structured maintenance programmes including pad rotation, replacement intervals and guidelines for switching between pads and brushes.

For large facilities, OEM workshops and contract cleaners, Clean Part provides ongoing technical support and consistent product availability across all standard pad diameters and thicknesses.

FAQ – Floor Pads & Machine Compatibility

1. What is a floor pad and how is it used?

A floor pad is a synthetic fibre disc mounted on a rotary or oscillating floor machine. Pads vary in abrasiveness, density and intended application.

2. Which floor types are suitable for pad cleaning?

Pads can be used on:
• Marble & natural stone
• Linoleum & vinyl
• Terrazzo & concrete
• Wood & parquet (with non-abrasive pads only)

Always verify compatibility with the floor’s coating system.

3. How do I choose the right pad?

Selection depends on floor material, coating type and cleaning intensity:
• Light pads → polishing and routine cleaning
• Medium pads → periodic or deep scrubbing
• Dark pads → stripping and coating removal

4. Why should I use high-quality pads?

High-quality pads offer:
• Better soil removal
• Longer lifespan
• Lower machine load
• Reduced risk of surface damage
• Lower total cost of ownership