Hospitals and the
healthcare
industry have adopted the use of microfiber cleaning
materials more quickly than much of the rest of the building
services industry.
According to the Sustainable Hospitals
Project, a project of the Lowell Center for Sustainable
Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell,
microfiber mopping systems are an alternative to traditional
wet loop mops for cleaning hospital floors.
The project offers the following 10 reasons
to consider microfiber mopping in healthcare settings:
1. The Cleaning Staff Likes Microfiber
Mopping. Microfiber mopping is more efficient, easier and
less tiring, so workers prefer microfiber mops.
2. Patients Are Happier. Patients like
microfiber mopping because it is quieter, faster and less
intrusive.
3. Microfiber mopping is an inherently
effective mopping technique. Microfiber is a strong, lint
free synthetic fiber. Each fiber is split during
manufacturing, and this split structure makes microfiber
effective for mopping.
The microfibers have a positive charge that attracts dust,
which has a negative charge. Dust and dirt particles are not
only attracted to the microfiber, but are held tightly and
not redistributed around the room.
4. Ease of Use. Overall,
the worker is lifting less and maneuvering lighter loads.
Microfiber mopping completely eliminates rinsing and
wringing a heavy loop mop. There is a smaller volume of
cleaning solution, the water-soaked microfiber mop is
considerably lighter than a loop mop, the
industry have adopted the use of microfiber cleaning
materials more quickly than much of the rest of the building
services industry.
According to the Sustainable Hospitals
Project, a project of the Lowell Center for Sustainable
Production at the University of Massachusetts Lowell,
microfiber mopping systems are an alternative to traditional
wet loop mops for cleaning hospital floors.
The project offers the following 10 reasons
to consider microfiber mopping in healthcare settings:
1. The Cleaning Staff Likes Microfiber
Mopping. Microfiber mopping is more efficient, easier and
less tiring, so workers prefer microfiber mops.
2. Patients Are Happier. Patients like
microfiber mopping because it is quieter, faster and less
intrusive.
3. Microfiber mopping is an inherently
effective mopping technique. Microfiber is a strong, lint
free synthetic fiber. Each fiber is
chemicals used. With loop mops, soiled mops are rinsed in
the cleaning solution. This requires frequent cleaning
solution changes to prevent cross-contamination between
rooms. With microfiber mops, only clean cloths are soaked in
a small volume of cleaning solution. Hence, there is no need
to replace the solution, considerably reducing the amount of
water and disinfectant used and disposed down the drain.
Many facilities use concentrated cleaners
containing hazardous chemicals, such as butoxyethanol,
quaternary ammonium compounds and phenols, which can cause
respiratory irritation or skin burns.
7. Microfiber Mopping Streamlines Tasks and
Takes Less Time. The cleaning solution preparation is
reduced considerably because of lower volumes used. The need
to repeatedly transport, empty, and replenish large buckets
of cleaning solution is eliminated.
Replacing microfiber mop pads takes much
less time than rinsing and wringing a loop mop. Microfiber
mops are easier to manipulate in the room, reducing the
mopping time. 8. Microfiber Mopping Can Reduce Costs.
Although initial purchase costs for microfiber mops are
about twice that of loop mops, the useful life of a
microfiber mop is about 10 times as long as a loop mop.
For many hospitals, water and sewer costs
are significant and the reduction in water used yields
considerable savings. The reduced volume of cleaning
chemicals results in avoided purchase costs. Reduced mopping
time frees the staff to perform other productive tasks.
Worker compensation claims are likely to be reduced due to
the lower potential for injury.
Eliminating the need for large janitor sinks
and closets simplifies plumbing and maintenance and reduces
the storage area needed for supplies.
9. Biological Hazards Are Reduced. The used
mop head is changed after every room and sent for
laundering. Because soiled cloths are never returned to the
cleaning solution, risk of cross contamination between rooms
is eliminated.
10. Laundering Resources Are Reduced.
Microfiber mops can be laundered in standard washing
machines. They require less space in the washers and dryers
than conventional mops, saving on water, detergent and
energy.
For more detailed information on microfiber
mopping, go to the Sustainable Hospitals Project EPA Best
Practices Publication, “Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals,”
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/wpie/healthcare/epamicromop.pdf 10 .
