Microfiber mopping systems are becoming more widely used in commercial and hospital settings over traditional mopping systems for a variety of economic and safety reasons.

• Microfiber mop heads are extremely absorbent, holding six or seven times its weight in water, which means it can hold enough water to get the job done, yet doesn't drip like the traditional wet mop. Because the mop head needs less water, floors dry more quickly because they're merely damp, not visibly wet. Floors cleaned with microfiber mopping systems typically dry in 1/3 the time of traditional mopping systems. This makes for a much safer environment, resulting in fewer slip/fall accidents.


• Instead of continually rinsing and wringing, the soiled microfiber mop heads are replaced with clean pads, which helps to eliminate cross contamination. Then all the dirty pads are washed and readied for re-use. Each mop pad can be washed and re-used hundreds of times. Traditional mop heads cannot hold up to repeated washings and need to be replaced more often.


• Another safety feature of microfiber mopping systems is that they are ergonomically friendly for users. The mop handles are very light-weight, and the mop heads swivel, so there is no need to use awkward movements and postures while mopping. The handles also have adjustable lengths, so each user can adjust the length to match their height.


• Microfiber mopping systems eliminate the need for buckets and wringers, which means there is no need to strain back muscles by lifting heavy mops soaked with water and then pressing down on wringers to get rid of the excess water. Workers also find microfiber mopping systems less tiring because there is no extra lifting, moving, dumping, and rinsing needed as is the case with traditional mopping systems.


• There is also a huge economic savings in chemical usage when making the switch to microfiber mopping systems. There is no need for large amounts of cleaners or disinfectants, which need to be added to the traditional mop bucket filled with water. Although disinfectants and cleaners can be used with microfiber mopping systems, very small amounts are needed.

Here is a simple method that can be used to incorporate a microfiber mopping system to your cleaning program:

1. Place a clean plastic basin on the cleaning cart, and then fill with water at the utility sink in the janitor closet. Add a small amount of cleaning solution to the water if needed.
Place a number of microfiber mop pads into the water to soak.

2. When ready to mop, wring out a mop pad, drop it flat on the floor and attach to the mop head (microfiber mop pads and heads use velcro to attach to each other).


3. To change the mop head, simply turn the mop upside down, remove the soiled pad, place it in a bag on the cart, and replace with a fresh pad from the plastic basin.


4. At the end of the shift, the soiled microfiber pads are cleaned and dried for re-use.

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift!