Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals
Environmental Best Practices for Health Care Facilities
November 2002

Why Consider Alternative Mopping Techniques?

Using conventional loop mops for wet mopping of patient care areas has long been the standard in floor cleaning for janitorial operations in hospitals. However, the health care industry has taken a recent interest in evaluating hard floor maintenance techniques in terms of employee, patient, and environmental health. Many floor cleaners used in hospitals contain harsh chemicals such as quaternary ammonium chlorides and butoxyethanol, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. To reduce the risk of cross-contamination for patients, conventional mopping techniques require janitors to change the cleaning solution after mopping every two or three rooms meaning that cleaning solutions (including both chemicals and several gallons of water) are constantly being disposed of and replenished.

Some facilities have begun using a new mopping technique involving microfiber materials to clean floors. Microfibers are densely constructed, polyester and polyamide (nylon) fibers that are approximately 1/16 the thickness of a human hair. The density of the material enables it to hold six times its weight in water, making it more absorbent than a conventional, and cotton loop mop. Also, the positively charged microfibers attract dust (which has a negative charge), and the tiny fibers are able to penetrate the microscopic surface pores of most flooring materials. These characteristics make microfiber an effective mopping material; the following case study provides detailed information to help your hospital evaluate the possibility of using microfiber mops.

Case study | Mopping Up Savings at UC Davis

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:

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

The environmental staff at UCDMC identified MicroScrub ® microfiber mops as a potential alternative to conventional mops that might reduce costs. However, before changing the floor maintenance techniques, the environmental staff had a few obstacles to overcome. For example, the custodial staff was somewhat averse to change and was unconvinced that the microfiber mops would be as effective. Other hospital personnel, such as nurses and doctors, and even patients also shared this concern.

Conventional Wet Loop Mops VS. Microfiber Mops

Microfiber Mops are less work-intensive than conventional mops, virtually eliminate cross-contamination during janitorial tasks, and drastically reduce chemical and water use while cleaning more effectively.