Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Health and Safety  » Microfiber Mopping Systems: Safety and Economics Win Out Over

Microfiber Mopping Systems: Safety and Economics Win Out Over

Article:

Microfiber mopping systems are becoming more widely used in

commercial and hospital settings over traditional mopping

systems for a variety of economic and safety reasons.

*Microfiber mop heads are extremely absorbent, holding six or

seven times its weight in water, which means it can hold enough

water to get the job done, yet doesn't drip like the traditional

wet mop. Because the mop head needs less water, floors dry more

quickly because they're merely damp, not visibly wet. Floors

cleaned with microfiber mopping systems typically dry in 1/3 the

time of traditional mopping systems. This makes for a much safer

environment, resulting in fewer slip/fall accidents.

*Instead of continually rinsing and wringing, the soiled

microfiber mop heads are replaced with clean pads, which helps

to eliminate cross contamination. Then all the dirty pads are

washed and readied for re-use. Each mop pad can be washed and

re-used hundreds of times. Traditional mop heads cannot hold up

to repeated washings and need to be replaced more often.

*Another safety feature of microfiber mopping systems is that

they are ergonomically friendly for users. The mop handles are

very light-weight, and the mop heads swivel, so there is no need

to use awkward movements and postures while mopping. The handles

also have adjustable lengths, so each user can adjust the length

to match their height.

*Microfiber mopping systems eliminate the need for buckets and

wringers, which means there is no need to strain back muscles by

lifting heavy mops soaked with water and then pressing down on

wringers to get rid of the excess water. Workers also find

microfiber mopping systems less tiring because there is no extra

lifting, moving, dumping, and rinsing needed as is the case with

traditional mopping systems.

*There is also a huge economic savings in chemical usage when

making the switch to microfiber mopping systems. There is no

need for large amounts of cleaners or disinfectants, which need

to be added to the traditional mop bucket filled with water.

Although disinfectants and cleaners can be used with microfiber

mopping systems, very small amounts are needed.

Here is a simple method that can be used to incorporate a

microfiber mopping system to your cleaning program:

1. Place a clean plastic basin on the cleaning cart, and then

fill with water at the utility sink in the janitor closet. Add a

small amount of cleaning solution to the water if needed. Place

Today's Popular Articles

• Trick or Treating Safety

• Vaccine Safety

a number of microfiber mop pads into the water to soak.

2. When ready to mop, wring out a mop pad, drop it flat on the

floor and attach to the mop head (microfiber mop pads and heads

use velcro to attach to each other).

3. To change the mop head, simply turn the mop upside down,

remove the soiled pad, place it in a bag on the cart, and

replace with a fresh pad from the plastic basin.

4. At the end of the shift, the soiled microfiber pads are

cleaned and dried for re-use.

If you're like most small cleaning companies, you're looking

for ways to save money and provide safer working conditions for

your workers. Incorporating a microfiber mopping system into

your cleaning program will help to save your company money on

expensive mop buckets, mops and mop heads. Even better is the

fact that you'll see fewer slip/fall accidents, and fewer

lifting and ergonomic injuries to your employees.

About the author:

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM),

an online community for owners and managers of cleaning

companies who want to build a more profitable and successful

cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at

http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift!