MICROFIBERMICROFIBERCLEANINGCLEANING

Microfiber was invented in Sweden in the Microfiber was invented in Sweden in the early 80’s as durable fabric.early 80’s as durable fabric.

After its development, Microfiber was found After its development, Microfiber was found to have superior cleaning abilities.to have superior cleaning abilities.

It was then marketed and sold in Europe in It was then marketed and sold in Europe in the 1990’s.the 1990’s.

History Of MicrofiberHistory Of Microfiber

A flexible microscopic plastic durable yarn. A flexible microscopic plastic durable yarn. Measured at less than 1 Denier.Measured at less than 1 Denier.

A Denier is a yarn measurement – which A Denier is a yarn measurement – which translates to:translates to:

““A length of yarn stretched 5.5 miles andA length of yarn stretched 5.5 miles andnot weighing more than .5 ounces”.not weighing more than .5 ounces”.

What Is Microfiber?What Is Microfiber?

The diameter is 100 times smaller than a The diameter is 100 times smaller than a human hair.human hair.

To Understand The Size…To Understand The Size…

One Strand Of One Strand Of Human HairHuman Hair

Microfiber StrandMicrofiber Strand

Unprocessed (fibers not split)Unprocessed (fibers not split) - - No absorption, no magnetic attraction to soilNo absorption, no magnetic attraction to soil - Microfiber, woven in a flat weave and very durable – - Microfiber, woven in a flat weave and very durable – but has very poor water absorption characteristics. but has very poor water absorption characteristics. It’s used to manufacture water resistant clothing & upholstery fabric.It’s used to manufacture water resistant clothing & upholstery fabric.

Processed (split or ripped)Processed (split or ripped) - - High absorption, no attraction to soil, used in cheater mopsHigh absorption, no attraction to soil, used in cheater mops - Processed by splitting (similar to split ends) threads are twisted and each- Processed by splitting (similar to split ends) threads are twisted and each fiber created cavities (capillaries) adding solution holding power to thefiber created cavities (capillaries) adding solution holding power to the thread. The thread by itself cannot absorb solution.thread. The thread by itself cannot absorb solution.

Unprocessed (used for cleaning)Unprocessed (used for cleaning) - - High absorptionHigh absorption - - Magnetic attraction to soilMagnetic attraction to soil - - Combines 2 basic fibers, Polyester & Polyamide creates a naturalCombines 2 basic fibers, Polyester & Polyamide creates a natural magnetism to soilmagnetism to soil - - Blends range from 70-30 to 80-20Blends range from 70-30 to 80-20

Types Of MicrofiberTypes Of Microfiber

(Positively Charged) (Positively Charged) attacking attacking (Negatively (Negatively Charged) Charged) dust and dirt for the life of the yarn.dust and dirt for the life of the yarn.

Positively Charged Microfiber

Positively Charged Microfiber

Cotton Mop Skims Cotton Mop Skims SurfaceSurface

+Charged Microfiber Attracts +Charged Microfiber Attracts - Soil- Soil

Yarn fibers are like a microscopic plastic Yarn fibers are like a microscopic plastic brush.brush.

Strong lint free fiber.Strong lint free fiber.

Yarn FibersYarn Fibers

Yarn is ripped from the machine creating Yarn is ripped from the machine creating jagged edges – over 100,000 per square inch jagged edges – over 100,000 per square inch to hold soil.to hold soil.

Hooks Hold Soil?Hooks Hold Soil?

These magnified photos These magnified photos showshow3 stages of microfibers. 3 stages of microfibers. The The first is before using, the first is before using, the second shows tiny dust second shows tiny dust particles that particles that stick to the fibers and the stick to the fibers and the third shows dirt and third shows dirt and bacteria caught bacteria caught in the network of fibers in the network of fibers after after light use.light use.

Holds many times its weight in solution. Holds many times its weight in solution. These same hooks bind against each other These same hooks bind against each other creating voids, which hold solution.creating voids, which hold solution.

Remember, plastic Remember, plastic cannotcannot absorb solution – absorb solution – it holds solution.it holds solution.

Holds SolutionHolds Solution

Microfiber mopping assists in infection Microfiber mopping assists in infection control.control.

Microfiber Mop System uses one mop per Microfiber Mop System uses one mop per patient room.patient room.

Microfiber MoppingMicrofiber Mopping

Bacteria Culture Taken After

Microfiber Mop

Cleaning Shows 99%

Reduction

Bacteria Count 1%

Bacteria Level Before

Bacteria Level Cleaning With String Mop

Bacteria Culture Taken After

Microfiber Mop

Cleaning Shows 99%

Reduction

Bacteria Count 1%

Bacteria Level Before

Bacteria Level Cleaning With String Mop

Why Is It So Popular?Why Is It So Popular?

Easier To UseEasier To Use - Substantially lighter, effortless cleaning- Substantially lighter, effortless cleaning - No heavy mop buckets to dump- No heavy mop buckets to dump

Faster To UseFaster To Use - Cleans 30% more surface- Cleans 30% more surface - 60% faster than a string mop and bucket- 60% faster than a string mop and bucket - Eliminates dust mopping- Eliminates dust mopping

Less Expensive To UseLess Expensive To Use - Hardware is less expensive- Hardware is less expensive - Reduces chemical cost by up to 95%- Reduces chemical cost by up to 95%

Effortless, Improved Clean, For Less Money!Effortless, Improved Clean, For Less Money!

Microfiber In HealthcareBuilding Services Management Magazine 9-4-08

Microfiber In HealthcareBuilding Services Management Magazine 9-4-08

“The University of California Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) in Sacramento, CA, had three motivations for changing the way its custodial staff maintained the floors in patient care areas:

1. Reduce chemical use and disposal — Conventional wet mopping practices require cleaning solution changes after every third room to reduce patient health risks from cross-contamination.

2. Reduce cleaning times for patient rooms — Conventional wet mopping practices, including mopping the floor, preparing and changing the cleaning solution, and wringing the mop before and after jobs. Take approximately 15 minutes for a typical patient room.

3. Reduce custodial staff injuries and workers’ compensation claims —Conventional wet mopping practices can lead to custodial staff injuries through the repeated motions of mopping and wringing.Program Results: UCDMC first used the microfiber mops in a pilot test and

within one year it completely replaced conventional loop mops with the microfiber alternative in all patient care areas. The program resulted in three measurable economic benefits: 1. 60 percent lifetime cost savings for mops;

2. 95 percent reduction in chemical costs associated with mopping tasks; and3. 20 percent labor savings per day.

The initial cost to implement the program was significant, as a microfiber mop costs over three times more than conventional loop mop. However, the manufacturer: guarantees the microfiber mop head for 500 washings, while a conventional mop typically withstands only 55 washings, giving the microfiber mop a comparatively low life time cost.

Although UCDMC uses quaternary ammonium chloride solution for other applications, switching to the microfiber mopping system reduced the amount of the chemical purchased by 46 percent. Also, because the microfiber mops are easier and faster to use, UCDMC saved 638 hours per year for each worker. Three other economic benefits are less easily quantified and will vary by location: 1.cost savings from decreased water use2.reduced worker’s compensation claims3. potential construction savings from eliminated need for mop sinks in janitor’s closets. Because janitors no longer change cleaning solution every third room, UCDMC cut its water use for mopping by 95 percent. Another benefit that has become apparent is the cost savings from reduced workers’ compensation claims.

UCDMC management has determined that the microfiber mops are easy enough to use that janitors placed on “light duty” because of an injury are tasked with mopping floors. However, because of the variety of claims made and the inconsistent associated costs, UCDMC has been unable to quantify the cost savings from reduced claims.

History Of MicrofiberHistory Of Microfiber

“If implemented properly, microfiber can help streamline cleaning tasks and improve cleaning times. This technology can also reduce chemical and water usage, minimize product replacement costs and save thousands of dollars in fines associated with building occupant health. In fact, those facilities that were on the forefront of the microfiber trend have already begun to see both financial benefits and cleaning efficiencies associated with its use. At Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, the goal for the custodialdepartment has been to conform the cleaning techniques into green initiatives, all while increasing efficiencies and reducing budget dollars. According to Michael Smith, departmental supervisor and CMI master trainer in the Academic Custodial Services department, the cleaningcrew at Western Washington University has been successful in achieving those goals for roughly15 years, thanks to the implementation and use of microfiber technology. “We are extremely vested in microfiber,” says Smith. The fact that this product can help meetgreen goals, while reducing expenditures goes a long way to support its use. Microfiber is directly associated with green claims, in part, because it requires the use ofminimal chemicals. In some cases, the products clean effectively without the use of any chemicals and instead can be used dry or by using only water. This feature of microfiber is alsoa cost savings perk. Utilizing a product that will reduce the chemical inventory throughout thefacility is a win-win resulting in substantial budget savings. “

Crunching The NumbersCrunching The Numbers