When it comes to floor care, success isn’t just about the cleaning solution or the machine, it’s also about the pad. Whether you’re stripping, scrubbing, buffing, or polishing, using the right floor pad color can save you time, prevent damage, and help you achieve the best results.
At Winston Industrial Maintenance, we offer a full selection of floor pads in white, blue, black, green, and red—each made for a specific type of task. If you’ve ever stared at a wall of pads wondering which one to grab, this guide is for you.
🔘 White Pads – For Gentle Polishing
White pads are your least abrasive option—perfect for finishing touches and high-gloss surfaces. These pads are ideal for:
- Dry polishing clean, dry floors.
- Light buffing with minimal chemical use.
- Restoring shine to floors that are already in great condition.
Because of their soft texture, white pads are safe for use on sensitive flooring materials like marble or finished wood. They won’t remove finishes—they’ll simply enhance the shine.
Best for: Final stage polishing, high-gloss floors, light soil removal
Machine speed: Low to high-speed machines
🔵 Blue Pads – For Moderate Scrubbing
Blue pads are considered medium-duty and are a step up from red when it comes to removing dirt and buildup. These pads are built for:
- Routine scrubbing of floors with moderate soil.
- Removing light scuff marks and dirt without harming the finish.
- Prepping a floor before applying a fresh topcoat.
Blue pads are excellent for schools, offices, and other commercial spaces with regular foot traffic where daily cleaning just isn’t cutting it.
Best for: Deep daily cleaning without stripping
Machine speed: Low-speed machines (175–350 RPM)
⚫ Black Pads – For Heavy-Duty Stripping
Black pads are the most aggressive pad we carry and are designed specifically for floor stripping. They’re used to remove:
- Old floor finish, wax, and heavy buildup
- Embedded dirt in high-traffic zones
- Stubborn scuff marks and layers of grime
These pads should only be used with water-based stripping solutions. Because of their intensity, black pads are not meant for daily maintenance—they’re a powerful tool for complete floor restoration projects.
Best for: Stripping floors down to the bare surface
Machine speed: Low-speed machines only
🟢 Green Pads – For Deep Scrubbing
Green pads sit somewhere between blue and black. They are more aggressive than blue, but not as intense as black. They’re a great option for:
- Heavy-duty scrubbing to prep for recoating
- Removing scuff marks, embedded dirt, and grease
- Occasional deep cleans that don’t require full stripping
Green pads are often used in kitchens, industrial settings, or areas with grease and high soil levels. They can also be used for top scrubbing, which removes only the top layer of finish before reapplying a new coat.
Best for: Deep scrub prep before refinishing
Machine speed: Low-speed machines (175–350 RPM)
🔴 Red Pads – For Light Cleaning & Buffing
Red pads are a popular choice for everyday maintenance. They’re lightly abrasive and great for:
- Spray buffing to remove light scuffs and dirt
- Restoring shine between polishing cycles
- Daily or routine cleaning of finished floors
They strike a nice balance between gentle and effective, making them a go-to in many facilities for regular upkeep.
Best for: Light cleaning, daily maintenance, and spray buffing
Machine speed: Low-speed and automatic scrubbers
🧠 Why the Right Pad Matters
Using the wrong pad can lead to:
- Ineffective cleaning, wasting time and labor
- Floor damage, such as scratching or stripping finish when you didn’t mean to
- Unnecessary wear on equipment or product waste
By understanding what each color is designed for, you can extend the life of your floors, boost your facility’s appearance, and save on long-term maintenance costs.
🛠️ Need Help Choosing?
Still unsure which pad is right for your job? That’s what we’re here for. At Winston Industrial Maintenance, we know floors—and we’re always happy to help you find the best tools for the task.
Stay tuned every week for more tips, tricks, and product insights in our #WIMWednesday series!
