The old-fashioned cotton floor mop that has been cleaning dirty floors for over a century may soon become obsolete if a more advanced version continues to catch on. Although the design of mops has gradually been progressing since the mid-twentieth century, the latest developments make the original model seem like a relic. The new microfiber string mops not only claim to offer twice the cleaning power of a standard cotton mop, but they're also longer lasting and can result in lower operating costs. In this age of tightening budgets and closer scrutiny on expenses, a more advanced mop that cleans 48% faster than the original model and offers other efficiencies, makes economic sense to institutions, businesses, and janitorial services.
In environments where it's necessary or desirable to eliminate as much mold and allergens as possible, microfiber mops outperform cotton floor mops. Made of extremely thin filaments of polyester and nylon, microfiber mops capture and hold more dirt, while requiring less water and chemical usage. These split fibers, which are literally microscopically thin, create a large surface area, which enhances the cleaning, absorbing, and release capabilities of microfiber mops.
Safety-conscious businesses, institutions, and offices that use microfiber mops receive the added benefit of reducing the potential for slips, falls, and injuries. Although not eliminating the need to display "caution" or "wet floor" signs, the use of microfiber mops results in faster drying floors and safer walking surfaces. If you're developing a risk management program at your building or facility, these microfiber products could help contribute to its success.
In addition to safety, economy, and health features of using microfiber mops, it's considered an environmentally friendly product that uses recycled materials. According to an online product information page, these advanced microfiber mops contain up to 28% post-consumer PET plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate) from recycled soda bottles, and up to 21% post-industrial cotton. It also withstands the rigors of at least 100 launderings, and is compatible with standard wet mop handles and frames. (For those not familiar with the properties of Polyethylene Terephthalate, "PET is an inert plastic and does not leach harmful materials into its contents," states the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), "The PET container has been safely used for 20 years and has undergone rigorous testing under FDA guidelines to ensure its safety as a food and beverage container suitable for storage and reuse," according to NAPCOR. PET bottles are recycled into a variety of consumer and industrial products, including carpeting, clothing, automotive parts, and microfiber mops.
Many organizations and businesses use so-called "green cleaning" products and practices to help protect the environment and reduce potential health risks for workers, building occupants, and members of the public. Publicly-owned and publicly-funded buildings are increasingly being designed, built, and operated according to a widely adopted Green building rating system in the United States, called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED projects are also in progress in 41 different countries, including Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and India. The third-party certification program recognizes performance in five areas of human and environmental health.
