Environmentally Friendly Products

Case Study

It may seem unlikely that a product can clean bacteria off of surfaces without using harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, but a study by the EPA shows otherwise.  

The EPA November 2002 pamphlet, Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals, was about a case study with the University of California Davis Medical Center that began in the summer of 1999.  

According to the case study, UCDMC found significant improvements from using micro fiber mops versus using the conventional wet mop cleaning.  After a floor was cleaned using a wet mop, a bacteria culture show only 30% of the bacteria was removed, whereas the micro fiber mop showed a 99% reduction in bacteria.  The study showed that micro fiber mops were effectively penetrating surfaces and removing dust particles that their wet mop counterparts missed.

There were economic benefits to using micro fiber mops, too.  UCDMC had a lifetime cost savings of 60% for the mops, a 95% reduction of costs related to mopping and a 20% daily savings in labor costs.  Although initially, the costs to switch to micro fiber mops was substantial, the savings off set the costs.  In other areas, there were cost reductions, although they weren't as easily quantified.   Savings from using less water (UCDMC used 95% less water for mopping after the switch), fewer workman's comp claims and construction savings - not needing gargantuan mop sinks in janitors' closets.

Although the study showed a success in switching to the micro fiber mop system, UCMDC did not use the mops in high body fluid areas (blood, etc), such as emergency rooms or high-traffic, greasy areas like the kitchen.  In the emergency and operating rooms, conventional mops were used and in the kitchen, mechanical cleaning machines were implemented.

What are Micro Fibers?

There's a lot of buzz out about micro fibers and their capability to revolutionize the way we clean.  The question that is asked, once people hear about micro fibers, is "what are they?"

It's difficult to give a definite answer because there are so many variables when it comes to micro fibers.  For cleaning cloths, what we are focusing on, they are generally made up of microscopic fibers comprised of polyester and polyamide.  The way these microscopic fibers are split creates pockets that grab and hold the dust in place.  These micro fibers are so fine, they are able hold water up to six or seven times their weight.

As with most things in life, you have to be careful when buying micro fiber cloths.  There are three different grades of cloth, and 3 different prices, as well - "A", "B" and "C".  We have had, from a manufacturer in Korea, the highest quality micro fiber cloths produced.  Although ours are high quality cloths from Korea, (although be careful, some manufacturers produce all three grades).  The lower grades of micro fiber cloths mainly come from China and some from Korea.  

What makes them so revolutionary is that they are able to clean, effectively and more efficiently than current cleaning methods, at less cost and with less exposure to chemicals.   Micro fiber cleaning cloths do not use harsh chemicals to clean - for dusting, they don't need anything!  These cloths are effective when used dry for dusting or slightly dampened if extra scrubbing power is needed.