Many cleaning services have always used the same standard mopping equipment to clean floors. Is there a better way? This article compares the standard mopping equipment to the new microfiber mopping equipment. Understanding these differences will help microfiber mop a buyer decide which is best for their floor cleaning needs.

Equipment differences:

o Standard mopping equipment includes a bucket, wringer, floor caution signs, mops, and usually a janitorial cart to carry everything. Mops come in three types:
1) dry mops (dust mop),
2) wet mops, and
3) sponge mops (include steel lever which replaces the need for a wringer).

Standard practice is to use the dry mop first on the hard surface floor to wipe off dust, debris, and hair. Then, a wet mop is used to apply a chemical cleaner and/or water. The wringer is used to make removing the dirty water from the mop less of a chore, and the floor signs are posted to prevent injuries while the floor is drying.

o Microfiber mopping equipment includes all of the standard equipment except the wringer, thus eliminating the strenuous chore of wringing out the dirty water. Dry and wet microfiber pads are simply placed in the laundry when they need to be cleaned. These microfiber pads are statically charged which allows the pads to attract dirt like a magnet. These pads absorb seven times their weight in water and hold dirt at levels not achievable by the standard mop before they must be cleaned. Regardless, a large floor may require multiple pads to completely clean the floor. Dirty pads can be laundered hundreds of times before new pads need to be purchased. Microfiber mopping equipment is still evolving, and many new systems are also eliminating the mopping bucket as well as the signage. When the mopping bucket is eliminated, the appropriate cleaner is mounted on the mop handle and dispensed via a trigger or other means.

Functional differences:

In addition to the better ergonomics and less strenuous effort required by the operator (described above), the following functional differences exist.

o Standard mopping equipment requires flooding the floor with cleaning chemical and water. The chemical helps to break the dirt loose and the mop yarn absorbs the dirty liquid solution. Some of the dirty liquid solution which is not absorbed resettles back on the floor. For the greatest cleaning results, this operation requires frequent wringing of the mop head and a properly maintained mob head. Cotton is the most popular yarn, but it has a break-in period for new mop heads and can deteriorate quickly leaving lint as a residue. Rayon, synthetic and blended yarns are more expensive options. These alternative yarns help to alleviate the deficiencies of cotton yarn but sacrifice the absorbency of cotton yarn.

o Microfiber mopping equipment lifts and removes dirt with less chemicals and water because of the static charge. The dirt is only released from the microfiber pads when laundered in warn water. When the pads are changed regularly, there is practically no dirty solution left on the floor after a single wipe. The microfiber mop heads are usually flat, providing maximum surface contact with the floor. String mop heads are also available in microfiber for larger spills but can be very expensive.

o Both mopping systems are sold in antibacterial treated, looped, and cut mop head configurations according to the customer's preference.

Cost differences:

Most experts agree that cost is the only thing preventing the cotton mops and wringer buckets from becoming extinct.

o The standard cut end cotton mop is the least expensive solution for small clean up jobs such as an occasional spill in a restaurant, airport and hotel lobby requiring an emergency clean up.

o The standard loop end mop, with any choice of mop head yarn, is also less costly upfront than microfiber mop heads. However, this standard mopping equipment can have the hidden cost listed below:

1. Greater use of cleaning chemicals
2. Premature deterioration of damp mops heads that are not properly maintained
3. Less than perfectly cleaned floors due to mopping with soiled water
4. Janitorial injuries due to wringer ergonomics and effort required to operate the wringer
5. Liability for potential injuries on floors which remain wet longer

o The microfiber mopping pad is much more expensive than the standard mop head. However, proponents of this new floor cleaning technology argue that:

1. Microfiber saves money by avoiding most of the hidden cost for the standard mopping equipment (listed above).
2. Microfiber pads last much longer as they can be laundered hundreds of times, saving additional cost over the long term
3. Floor cleaning can be done faster with a microfiber mop, saving labor

Applications differences:

o Standard mopping equipment is still used in the following applications:

1. Small job sites where the disadvantages of the standard mopping equipment can be tolerated
2. Facilities where experienced janitors carefully maintain mopping equipment to prevent early deterioration and frequently change water in the wringer buckets
3. Restaurants, airports and hotel lobbies, where large spills must be cleaned up quickly

o Microfiber mopping equipment is rapidly growing in popularity with the following applications taking the lead:

1. Most hospital situations where cleanliness far overshadows cost
2. Mobile cleaning services where equipment portability from job to job is a big factor

There is no right or wrong mopping equipment. If an organization, facility, or person is able to satisfy their customers and maintain competitive cost using the standard mopping equipment, they need not change. However, when it comes time to buy new equipment, they would be wise to evaluate the new microfiber equipment.

This article was written by Dale Leanhardt, Vice President, Donson Supply, Inc.. Donson Supply provides mopping equipment for sale over the Internet. The above information is expected to change as the microfiber mopping equipment continues to mature.