Floorcare hygiene: the simple approach
February 1st 2005 Dave Rogers, general manager Unger UK, recommends mops and brushes for a job well done
With washroom cleaning standards improving, building managers know that floors are one of the dirtiest and most challenging areas to keep clean.To maintain optimum washroom hygiene and prevent the spread of bacteria, selecting the correct floor cleaning tools is essential.
As a result, floorcare tools such as mops and brushes are moving towards ergonomic designs and antibacterial materials to improve the cleaning process. Such tools clean more thoroughly and last longer, resulting in increased worker efficiency.
Mops are among the most popular washroom cleaning tools for floors.
When selecting a mopping system, durability and efficiency should be among the key criteria.The best mops should outlast traditional string mops ten to one and produce excellent results with minimum worker fatigue.
To meet the demands of different floor surfaces, traditional loop or cut-end cotton mop heads are giving way to the more advanced technology of microfibre and flat mop heads.
Flat mops that utilise microfibre are among the most efficient.The microfibre material removes more soil from the surface than traditional mops and prevents re-soiling as the mop is used.Microfibre mops such as Unger’s SmartColor MicroMop are ideal for reducing the spread of bacteria on floor surfaces, especially for cleaning grouting between tiles. Featuring a microfibre replacement mop head which attaches securely to the SmartColor MopHolder, the MicroMop can be used for both wet and dry cleaning tasks, reducing bacteria by up to 96% and absorbing up to six times its own weight in liquid retention.
Whichever mop you choose, no mop system is complete without a bucket. Building managers should look for dual compartment buckets which help prevent cross contamination by keeping clean solution separate from dirty, rinse water. Ergonomic features can also lighten a bucket’s load for easier transport.
Brushes are another commonly used tool for cleaning washroom floors.A versatile tool, brushes can be used as hand tools for a wide variety of tasks from light cleaning to heavy duty.
At times a job will require a gentler brush. Flat-tip bristles are less abrasive and clean best by sweeping floors to remove fine soil.
Staggered bristles are ideal for reaching into uneven surfaces and grout lines.Heavy and stiff bristles are best for thick grout lines while thin and flexible bristles work well on narrow grout lines. Products such as Unger’s Swivel Corner Brush feature polypropylene bristles which are ideal for removing dirt build-up in corners and hard to reach areas.
In addition to sanitation,worker safety must also be carefully considered.Many washroom cleaning products are now designed as lighter weight for easy manoeuvrability, with unique features that protect users from back, wrist and joint injuries often acquired from repetitive pushing, pulling and bending motions. Products such as Unger’s Swivel Corner Brush features a pivoting head for easy reach and scrubbing action into tight corners and stubborn grout lines.
In addition to cleaning washroom floors,Unger’s mops and brushes are also suitable for other areas such as kitchens, hallways and offices.
As with all Unger’s products, these floor cleaning tools are designed to promote facility hygiene and prevent cross-contamination between different areas of a building.To achieve the best results,Unger also recommends that the tools are used as part of an interactive training and education programme. The combination of the right tools and a trained workforce are the elements of proper washroom cleaning. More articles from Unger UK Ltd: | 
