Looking for a quick and easy shift towards preserving environmental resources? Switching to microfiber can help.
Looking for a quick and easy shift towards preserving environmental resources? Switching to microfiber can help. With an increased focus on reducing cross contamination in schools and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, microfiber can make your life easier and help reduce the spread of germs. When compared to traditional cleaning methods, utilizing a microfiber system will help your facility operate more efficiently, safely, and will reduce your overall spend.
What is Microfiber?
Microfiber is a synthetic fiber that typically consists of polyester, which provides structure, and polyamide, which adds density and absorption. These fibers have been split into very fine strands that are porous and dry quickly. These micro fibers are able to get into harder to reach areas of your facility, and the nylon component produces a static charge that attracts dirt. Traditional cleaning cloths and mop heads are often made of large cotton fibers that can't perform to the same standard as microfiber. These large cotton fibers tend to leave behind residue and push around dirt and liquid instead of absorbing it and require more liquid when mopping. So.. why make the switch?
Cross-Contamination
Cross contamination was already a hot topic, but now with the COVID-19 pandemic it's even more important to ensure you're taking steps to reduce the spread of germs. When a traditional cloth or mop touches a surface it becomes contaminated. As soon as you put it back in the mop bucket water or move it around the room, it contaminates the water and the next surface. Microfiber attracts 99% of particles, which is 3x more than cotton does. It attracts more dirt since the fibers in it have a positive charge which attract dirt and germs, and it can hold particles tightly since it's so porous. That means it picks up and removes contaminants and germs rather than redistributing them around the room. This is especially useful for the return to in-person learning at schools and for reducing HAIs in hospitals.
Increased Productivity
Using a microfiber mop eliminates the process of dipping and wringing out a cotton mop. As long as the microfiber mop is not put into the cleaning solution, the custodian doesn't have to change out the solution between tasks either. Healthcare professionals that are required to change out the mop/cleaning solution every room can save labor time while still complying with state requirements. Since microfiber attracts more dirt than traditional cleaning methods it makes cleaning more productive, and microfiber leaves behind little to no residue compared to cotton solutions.
Less Water and Chemical Usage and Reduced Risk of Injury
Microfiber applications require little to no chemical when compared to their cotton counterparts, and you will see your water usage reduced as well. A study done for a hospital by the Sustainable Hospital Project showed that using one cotton loop mop for a day requires 21 gallons of water and 10.5 ounces of chemical, while a microfiber mop requires the use of only one gallon of water and half an ounce of chemical. In the same study for every 20 rooms that were mopped with a cotton mop, 22 were mopped with a microfiber in the same amount of time.
Since you're using less water and chemicals and don't have to carry around a heavy mop bucket all day, it makes sense that microfiber solutions lead to increased worker safety and reduced injury liability. Microfiber mops weigh significantly less than other mops, making them ergonomic and easier to use. Less back strain from lifting less weight and reducing the amount of time bending over to ring a mop out leads to less injuries.
Other Factors
It's always important to take long term savings into consideration when choosing solutions for your facility. Switching to microfiber can cost more than cotton mops and cloths up front, but you are guaranteed savings in the long run. When taking into account increased productivity and reduced water and chemical usage it makes sense to switch. You will have a reduction in chemical purchases, more life-cycle savings since microfiber is reusable, and a reduced risk of injury at the workplace. Workers are able to move in and out of areas quickly, increasing productivity and reducing labor costs.
