General Questions
We offer servicing and parts back up from dedicated Duplex engineers.
Email admin@duplex-cleaning.com for service or alfie@duplex-cleaning.com for spare parts
Duplex staff are available to advise on the best practice for maintaining our equipment. We offer Preventative Maintenance Agreements to keep the machines in the best working order and lengthen their working life. Please contact the office for further information.
With many of our ranges we offer on site staff training included with the purchase of a machine. This involves a Duplex representative visiting your site and training the staff who will be using it.
If those staff are not available the supervisors can receive the installation training and cascade it down to the operators. The training is fully certificated and is therefore structured with step by step instructions.
With many of our ranges we offer free on site demonstrations. If you contact the office requesting to see a machine from one of these ranges then we will contact you to discuss your exact requirements.
Following that we will arrange a site visit with an appropriate machine for the application. A demonstration also covers the operation of the machine and how to get the best performance from it. There is also the chance for the staff that will be operating the equipment to use the machine themselves.
At Duplex UK we have 25 years of experience in specifying models from our wide range of machines for a variety of cleaning tasks.
Our dedicated team of technical specialists are always available to give advice on the right equipment for your specific requirement in any environment. Simply go to the Contact Us page and get in touch.
With many of our ranges we offer on site staff training included with the purchase of a machine. This involves a Duplex representative visiting your site and training the staff who will be using it.
If those staff ARE not available THEN supervisors can receive the installation TRAINING AND CASCADE IT DOWN TO THE OPERATORS. The training is fully certificated and is therefore structured with step by step instructions.
With many of our ranges we offer free on site demonstrations. If you contact the office requesting to see a machine from one of these ranges then we will contact you to discuss you’re exact requirements.
Following that we will arrange a site visit with an appropriate machine for the application. A demonstration also covers the operation of the machine and how to get the best performance from it. There is also the chance for the staff that will be operating the equipment to use the machine themselves.
At Duplex UK we have 25 years of experience in specifying models from our wide range of machines for a variety of cleaning tasks. Our dedicated team of technical specialists are always available to give advice on the right equipment for your specific requirement in any environment. Simply go to the Contact Us page and get in touch.
Steam Cleaning Questions
Duplex staff are available to advise on the best practice for maintaining our equipment. We offer Preventative Maintenance Agreements to keep the machines in the best working order and lengthen their working life. Please contact the office for further information.
In many applications steam alone is quite sufficient, giving chemical-free cleaning. However in some cases the use of a specialist chemical, such as a degreaser make the cleaning process faster. Additionally some specialist systems, such as Chewing Gum removal are designed to use steam and chemical in order to efficiently deliver chemical and combine the attributes of both systems to give the most efficient solution.
In any case where a chemical is used the chemical is injected into the steam line, improving its efficiency by pre heating thus requiring less chemical to be used. Because of the pre heating effect chemicals that give of harmful fumes when heated must never be used in Steam Cleaners.
Also, only use chemical in a dedicated machine with a chemical tank built in. Never put chemical in the boiler as this will damage the internal components.
The highest bar pressure is not necessarily the best or most efficient machine for cleaning. At Duplex, we have a saying which is “you can’t beat physics”. On standard 220/240 volt machines (or 110v) you are limited by the power supply (3 -3.6 kw whether a 13amp or 15 amp plug is fitted) and also the boiler volume.
The higher the exit pressure the less volume of steam is delivered to the cleaning surface. Think of the analogy of putting your finger over the end of a hosepipe; the volume is the same. Steam Cleaners are effective as they use the temperature combined with some agitation.Glossy advertisements showing a plume of steam might look impressive but in practice achieve nothing.
All the temperature, hence cleaning efficiency, is near the tip of the nozzle and outside that area the reduction in temperature is dramatic. In fact in some cases, such as Healthcare applications a higher pressure might spread dirt particles.
Yes, the only downside of a 110v machine is the sightly longer heating time, but with our new 2020 boilers performance is the same as a 240/220v machine. These are available on special order built in the production facility in Italy.
There is no doubt that the performance of 110v machines is now very similar compared with 220/240v units. Heating times are slightly longer with a 110v supply. But the performance due to the new 2020 boilers has increased significantly.
In many applications using a steam cleaner, once the steam has released the dirt there is still a need to remove the debris. With the integral vacuum the dirt can be collected simultaneously, saving significant time and effort.
This also leaves surfaces dry, so minimising disruption. Having a vacuum on a machine means that spillages can also be quickly vacuumed up.
No. Generally speaking there are two methods used. Some Manufacturers use probes inside the boiler which send a signal to the water pump when the level in the boiler falls below a certain level. The other system is a mechanical float inside the boiler.
‘Out of the Box’ both systems achieve the same thing but over time the buildup of scale, from the salts in the water, can have an adverse effect on the probes whereas the mechanical system has the benefit of removing scale as it moves in the water. For this reason all Duplex machines use the mechanical float system for automatic refilling as standard on all models.
Firstly downtime is reduced to a minimum. Instead of refilling and starting from cold all that is needed is to refill the water reserve tank. The boiler does not need to be depressurised and steam is produced almost immediately, meaning downtime is merely a few seconds instead of a few minutes.
Another advantage of continuous flow machines is that the boiler itself can be a smaller volume, so giving even faster heating times, and longer running times can be achieved by increasing the size of the water reserve tank.
Machines have automatic refilling systems. These have a separate water tank in addition to the boiler. There is no direct access to the boiler and water is injected from the water tank.
This means that no pressure cap is required. All Duplex machines (with the exception of some 110v models) use the Continuous Flow principle.
Yes, very easy. They are especially beneficial for cleaning areas where access is difficult and where cleaning in confined areas using manual methods is both laborious and time consuming.
The particles in the steam vapour are able to clean deeper into surfaces than traditional cleaning methods, breaking down dirt at a base level. Not only does this give maximum cleaning effectiveness, but also, by virtue of the temperature, sanitises the surface at the same time.
This is because the vapour kills the bacteria deep in the pores of surfaces. In many cases the only agent required is water there is no chemical residue left behind. This makes steam an environmentally friendly cleaning method ideal for facilities that must adhere to strict hygiene regulations.
Floorcare Questions
Regular maintenance of the steam generator on the Duplex 340, 420 and 620 steam machines will prolong the life of the steam generator and give better cleaning results during the life of the machine. This procedure is always explained at our training sessions but can be viewed in this video.
t is important to clean the machine when you have finished using it. This means that it is ready for use immediately when next required. Firstly, make sure the machine is unplugged. Remove the three tanks. Use a damp cloth to carefully clean the rubber conveyor belts and wipe away any dirt in any parts of the machine. Turn the machine onto its side and wipe the bottom of the motor in the centre of the base. If dirt is left on this the heat from the motor will bake it on and make it very difficult to clean in future. The recovery tank and the clean water tanks can be washed and dried, the steam generator must only be wiped with a damp cloth.
Removing and cleaning the brushes is an important element of maintaining the machine. The brushes should be removed and cleaned after the machine has been used. Use the 6mm Allen key (hexagon wrench) supplied, to remove the two screws located on the stainless steel side panel. Remove the side panel and then the brushes. Soak the brushes for several hours in a basin filled with cold or warm (never hot) water, and the same detergent/sanitiser that is used in the machine for floor cleaning.
Models 280 and 380 have quick release brushes that do not need a tool to remove, just press down the clip on the end of the brush and pull!
The brushes can be fitted back in any way round. Because the brushes always rotate in the same direction the bristles may bend over time. If the brushes are put back the opposite way round, however, this will change the direction the bristles are being rotated. This will increase the lifespan of the brushes.
We offer Preventative Maintenance Agreements to keep the machines in the best working order. Please contact the office for further information.
We offer servicing and parts back up from dedicated Duplex engineers throughout the UK. We also offer preventative maintenance agreements.
Please contact service@duplex-cleaning.bridgetdesigns.co.uk for servicing/PMAs and alfie@duplex-cleaning.bridgetdesigns.co.uk for spare parts. Or call 01227 771276
Begin by moving forwards in a straight line. Then move backwards, continuing to clean the same lane. Then shift onto another cleaning path, slightly overlapping the path that has been cleaned previously. Repeat this operation until the entire area has been cleaned. In order to clean those edges neglected during this operation turn the machine 90º and repeat the same procedure.
Make sure the water/chemical or steam tanks are filled. On the side of the machine select the pressure setting appropriate to the floor surface to be cleaned. This establishes how much pressure the brushes will put onto the floor.
For a heavy duty wash for very dirty hard floors select the top setting. For a standard wash on hard floors use the second setting down. For short pile carpets use the third setting down. For long pile carpets use the fourth setting down.
When the machine is not being used it should be pushed down to the very bottom. This setting selects the transportation mode and means the machine will not start when the handle is lowered, but can be moved on the small transportation wheel underneath the machine. To start, select the correct working position on the slide switch and slowly lower the handle (in either direction). This starts the brushes revolving on the floor.
Now move the machine over the area you want to clean. To release water/chemical onto the brushes pull the trigger under the hand grip, if using a Duplex with steam then the red button on the steam generator should be switch on (position 1) steam will start to be generated only when the brushes are rotating.
Do not keep the water trigger pulled as this will flood the floor. Instead, pull the trigger at brief intervals. Cleaning can continue until the water/chemical or steam tanks are empty or the central recovery tank is full.
Duplex supply two models for escalator cleaning the 550 Professional which incorporates a built in vacuum with pre dosed water injection and water filter vacuum, this machine is our highest specification escalator cleaner and is a complete self contained cleaning solution for this very difficult cleaning task.
The Duplex 350 base machine is an entry level machine primarily used for smaller facilities with medium footfall.
All standard Duplex Scrubber Dryer models are available in 110V.
Steam is excellent for removing all kinds of heavy stains from every type of flooring. On carpets and matting it revitalises fibres. It reduces the amount of water required for cleaning, resulting in quicker drying times.
For extra benefit in regulated areas such as healthcare and catering facilities the steam is powerful enough to sanitise as it cleans and it removes the need to use chemicals, ensuring that no harmful residues are left behind, and creating savings in consumables.
The steam generator releases the steam onto the brushes to improve the cleaning performance of the brush agitation. The Duplex with steam is available on the 240V versions of the 340, 420 and 620 models.
We supply our own floor cleaning chemicals which have been specially formulated to be used in our standard floor cleaning machines, Hydrowash and Hydrofresh. We also supply a limescale inhibitor called Hydroscale for achieving maximum performance with the steam Duplex Scrubber Dryer and our vacuumated steamers. Other low foam detergents can be used in the water/chemical tanks, but may not be as effective as our own formulations. Click here to view our range of chemicals.
The Duplex Scrubber Dryer is equipped with two robust cylindrical brushes which, due to their offset position, are capable of thoroughly washing any surface right up to the edge of walls and obstructions, and collecting every drop of water and dirt.
Two counterbalanced tanks sit above the two brushes, dispensing steam, water and/or chemical. Their position guarantees a double and uniform distribution of the cleaning agent onto the floor. The steam, water and/or chemical combined with the brush agitation works to break down the dirt in the floor. The brush action then simultaneously acts to flick the dirty water and debris onto belts, which carry it into a central recovery tank. This leaves the floor clean, dry and sanitised. Using steam and/or chemical.
It cleans every type of flooring, long and short pile carpet, entrance matting, safety flooring, ceramic, porcelain and quarry tiles, rubber, cement, wood, plastic, marble, granite, stone, mosaic, resin and specialist sports flooring. Agitation from cylindrical brushes rotating at 600 rpm makes it particularly effective on awkward profile flooring.
The machines are particularly popular for cleaning troublesome non-slip safety flooring. Such flooring is ideal for the demands that busy facilities put on them. However, the traditional cleaning approaches of using a mop or rotary scrubber only clean the raised areas of the profiled surface. This leaves dirt, and any chemical used, to accumulate in the low profile areas.
The Duplex brushes agitate right into the nooks and crannies to make a remarkable difference to the quality of such floors. For maximum performance with specific cleaning challenges there are specialist brush options. Hard polypropylene black brushes are recommended for scarifying and deep scrubbing less delicate floors. Soft polypropylene yellow brushes are used for cleaning delicate fitted carpets and rugs. Brown brushes are used for polishing. Tynex brushes are used for removing paint, plaster and the most ingrained dirt.