FEATURE CORDLESS CLEANING On the other hand, we adopted lithiumion technology for the battery version of our Multiwash scrubber-dryer. It needs to be highly manoeuvrable while its counterrotating cylindrical brushes ensure scrubbing power is not compromised. Compact as well as lightweight, lithium-ion batteries are also ideal for vacuums, such as our new cordless Valet Comfort Pro Backpack and Valet Battery Upright, which we will be launching later this year and early 2017. Another advantage of lithium-ion technology is the ability to top up the battery’s charge without having to discharge 100 per cent first, which can be awkward to synchronise with shift patterns. Swapping batteries is also easier. DAYTIME CLEANING The shift to daytime cleaning is continuing for many reasons – one being the availability of quietly efficient cordless machines. In turn, the financial and environmental case for moving away from night-time cleaning drives the growing demand for battery-powered equipment. A cordless kit is particularly well suited to hospitals, retail outlets, hotels and transport hubs where continual cleaning is required throughout the day, and contact with the public and employees is guaranteed. Operatives can manoeuvre the machines around more easily – and less noisily – with no need to unplug, coil the cord and re-plug elsewhere. COST AND RETURN ON INVESTMENT Another self-reinforcing factor in the rise of battery power is cost. As production of batteries and cordless machines rises, unit costs fall. As the price gap narrows, the alternative to mains-powered models becomes more attractive. In various applications, the productivity boost can increase the return from investing in a battery version. The time saved by operators using more flexible machinery can be significant, given that labour costs typically account for two thirds of a cleaning budget. There are other costs, of course, that need to be factored into the equation. Although modern batteries are becoming more robust, their life cycle, the need to invest in replacement batteries for longer shifts, and constraints on facilities for storage and charging of back-up batteries may tilt the balance in favour of mains power. Also, it would be foolish to overlook the parallel advances in conventional cleaning equipment. Mains-powered machines are becoming quieter, safer, more powerful and efficient too. The reality is that as long as it is practicable and cost-effective – by virtue of the operating requirements of the site and/or a price differential – there will continue to be a market for the plug-in cleaning machine. However, as environmental, legislative and consumer pressures drive the development of battery technology for applications in other sectors from space travel to smartphones, we will be able to harness those advances in the cleaning industry too. It’s not time to pull the plug from the socket just yet, but watch this space as the batterypowered cleaning workhorse charges ahead. 18 DECEMBER / JANUARY 2017 CLEANING HYGIENE TODAY A cordless kit is particularly well suited to hospitals, retail outlets, hotels and transport hubs where continual cleaning is required throughout the day, and contact with the public and employees is guaranteed. ”
Cleaning Hygiene Today December/January 2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above