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Microfiber…Answering the Tough Questions
Microfiber cleaning, a promising new approach, is getting widespread attention among professionals. The enthusiasm that accompanied the first wave of claims and promises led to trail and adoption of the tools and systems by healthcare, hospitality, schools and offices. With next generation microfiber tools coming to market, environmental services professionals have enough experience with the technology to ask tougher questions about microfiber performance.
In some instances, the benefits of microfiber have been oversold. More often, however, disappointing results with microfiber cleaning are due to insufficient attention to these variables: human factors, incorrect product choices, and unsuitable processes. Like every good tool, when used properly by an adequately trained operator, microfiber does deliver superior results. This is a technology with a bright future.
Not all microfiber is created equal. At the heart of microfiber is the fiber itself. The term technically applies to fiber that is 1.0 denier or smaller. The smaller the denier measure, the finer and more effective the microfiber. Superior microfiber measures 0.13 denier. (A single ounce of 0.13 denier microfiber has more than 1200 miles of surface area!) Currently you will find both split and un-split fibers sold as “microfiber”. Splitting is a process that increases the surface area of the fiber by creating microscopic hooks, which enhance microfiber’s dust and dirt holding ability.
unsplit monofiliments
pre-split blended filiments
split filaments showing increased surface area and optimal retention of fine particles.
The Human Factor
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who embrace learning new tasks with optimism and gusto (there are about 12 of those people), and everybody else. The term “resistance to change” applies to most people, and cleaning professionals are no exception. And the harder the sell on the benefits, the more entrenched the resistance can become. Anyone hoping to convert their facility to microfiber cleaning ignores this at their peril. You cleaning staff does not want to hear that they aren’t cleaning well enough, or that they are cleaning improperly.
Successful managers have addressed this matter by insisting that microfiber suppliers come to the table with engaging training activities and materials. Truly creative approaches include giving staff members free microfiber products, encouraging them to use them at home. Given the combination of training and practice, microfiber makes its own friends, proves its value. And practice at home makes perfect on the job.
The Right Stuff
The wave of new microfiber product innovations is a clear indication that superior results require specialized tools. One particular weave of microfiber cloth is optimal for cleaning glass; another is the most effective tool for dusting. Dusting deserves further mention. The outright superiority of microfiber for the task of grabbing and holding minute dust particles creates impressive opportunities to improve cleaning and indoor environmental quality. Specialized dusting tools – flexible wands with extendable poles ensure that previously difficult-to-reach areas are accessible to effective cleaning.
You can ensure your success by purchasing from a manufacturer that offers a full array of microfiber tools and equipment. The following chart specifies products according to cleaning task:
| FOR THIS JOB: | USE THIS: |
|---|---|
| Picking up large spills | Fringed high absorbency pad w/pedal wring bucket - note that the best tool for puddle pick-up may still be a traditional blended string mop |
| Scuff marks on floors | Microfiber pad with integrated non-abrasive scrubber pad |
| Cleaning/scrubbing on stone or textured flooring | Microfiber pad with scrubber strips |
| Applying floor finish | Trapezoid White w/Blue Stripes Finish Pad |
| Cleaning walls, windows or other hard to reach areas | 11” Microfiber Wet Pad, Frame and Extension Handle – for ultimate control; use w/pedal wring bucket |
| Cleaning remote areas where access to water is limited | Treat pads ahead of time in water tight “disinfecting” bucket |
| Effectively dusting hard to reach areas with lots of cracks and crevices | Use a flexible microfiber dusting tool (attach to extension handles as needed) |
| Dusting large open areas | Use microfiber frame and pad 24-48” wide |
| Dust mopping where large debris or “dust bunnies” | Microfiber dust pads with fringe |
| Dusting live or artificial plants | Use Microfiber mitts to eliminate chemicals and minimize damage to plants |
| Manual cleaning and wiping of glass, stainless steel, and other smooth, relatively non-porous surfaces | Smooth texture microfiber blue cloths helps control/eliminate streaking |
Care and Feeding
Change your oil, check the tire pressure, top off the fluids – a little care and your car will go for miles. The same is true of microfiber. Although care of microfiber pads and cloths is not difficult, it can be mishandled. In fact, most equipment problems can be traced to some type of mishandling. The following chart identifies several of the more common issues that arise:
| SYMPTOM | CAUSES | REMEDY |
|---|---|---|
| Floors streaked after mopping/hazy film on floor | Insufficient dusting prior to mopping Improper dilution of floor cleaning chemical Using pads too wet |
Be sure to dust mop w/microfiber ahead of damp mopping Convert to automatic proportioner and/or have chemical supplier check and adjust dispenser Start w/no more than 32 oz of liquid/5 wet pads in disinfecting or press wring buckets or double wring pads in pedal wring buckets, rotating them 180 degrees between wringings |
| Dusting Pad hard to push | Encountering moisture Utilizing a dusting pad for mopping |
Use blue wet pad. This will still dust better than traditional dust mops and will absorb moisture and continue to glide |
| Pad shrinkage | Excessive Dryer Temperature | Pads should shrink no more than 10% the first time laundered and not shrink after that. If still shrinking, adjust dryer temperature to at or below 140º F. |
| Tool doesn’t hold pad | Degraded pad backing from excessively high detergent pH or chlorine bleach. Slightly melted pad backing from excessive heat in dryer Hook strips are worn or chemically degraded Pad is simply worn out |
Buy new pads and follow laundering instructions Replace pads and adjust dryer to at or below 140º F. Replace hook strips Pads should be replaced after 300-500 laundry cycles, depending on use and laundry conditions |
| Handle/frame connection breaking | Excessive force when trying to remove scuff marks | Use microfiber pad with integrated non-abrasive scrubber pad |
| Wet mops difficult to wring | Lack of proper wringer equipment | Purchase equipment designed to wring microfiber flat mops |
| Floor finish specked or gritty | Chemical and/or physical residue on the floor prior to finish application | Utilize microfiber dusting pads just before applying finish to remove chemical residue, lint, grit, hair, etc. |
| Floor finish gloss inconsistent and/or finish not adhering to the floor | Same as above | Same as above |
| Trouble keeping grout lines clean on ceramic tile, quarry tile and other hard, porous or textured floors without water based floor finish | Leaving dirty water in lines during cleaning process | Use microfiber pad with scrubber strips to loosen soil and immediately wick it into the microfiber, leaving grout lines clean. |
| Staff won’t adapt to change | Resistance to change is usually result of lack of understanding and/or “fear of the unknown” | Have your microfiber supplier schedule a training seminar that effectively educates and trains staff |
Expect More, Ask For More
Microfiber has proven to deliver meaningful benefits: reducing water and chemical use, dusting, cleaning, disinfecting and floor finishing more effectively, saving money, reducing physical stress, enabling a more environmentally friendly approach to facility cleaning, and so on. But converting to new microfiber cleaning is an undertaking, requiring commitment, planning and support. Microfiber suppliers hoping for your business should be prepared to support you with the right products and effective product usage training.
About Rubbermaid Commercial Products
Rubbermaid Commercial Products, headquartered in Winchester, VA, is an ISO 9001 manufacturer of innovative, solution-based products for commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Since 1968, RCP has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of food service, sanitary maintenance, waste handling, material transport and safety products. Rubbermaid Commercial Products is a division of Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a $6.3 billion global marketer of consumer and commercial products. For more information, please visit Rubbermaid Commercial Product's web site at www.rcpworksmarter.com.
