The exceptional performance of Goscor Cleaning Equipment's (GCE) escalator cleaner is turning heads in the market with inquiries growing from day to day. This is according to GCE's product Manager Matthew Middleton.

The latest orders for this machine have come from well-known cleaning contractor Lami Hygiene Care (LHC) for use at two of the biggest shopping centres in Johannesburg, one in Bedfordview and one in Sandton.

He says that cleaning escalators is not an easy process. "Unlike other cleaning methods such as steaming, machines with dry and abrasive brushes and aggressive hand cleaning, our machine cleans escalators without removing powder coatings or scratching the surface."

(Seen here: Diagram showing the way in which the cleaner fits onto the escalator.)

LHC's Corne van Staden agrees. "It's the best escalator cleaner on the market," he says.

"We were so satisfied with what it did at the first shopping centre that we had no hesitation in ordering one for the Sandton centre too," he adds.

The machine sprays a measured, minimal amount of chemical solution onto the step and riser, which is then agitated onto the surfaces by brushes too soft to cause any damage to either the aluminium or anodised and painted surfaces, but hard enough to remove tough dirt and grease. Specifically formulated chemical for use on all types of escalators combined with gentle and effective friction, enables the brushes to transport the dirt onto a collection tray from where it is removed by vacuum to a holding tank. The escalator surface is left clean and dry with no risk of contamination to lubricating oils in escalator drums or damage to electrical circuits.

During the cleaning process all embedded foreign matter, which could damage the escalator, is manually removed. "This is an important aspect of the cleaning process as all sand, dirt and spillage, which would normally have combined with oil and grease to form a grinding paste in the escalator mechanism, are completely removed," says Matthew.

(Right: Before and after cleaning with Goscor's escalator cleaner).

Corne says that Goscor's service has also been first-class and has included comprehensive training for all the operators. "Goscor is good at attending to the detail both before, during and most importantly, after the sale."