Page 82 - School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 4: Selection of Products, Dispensing Equipment, and Application Systems
77
Criteria
Conventional
Mop and Bucket
Microfiber Mop
Pads and Bucket
Reusable Microfiber
Cloths
Reusable
Cotton
Cloths
Disposable Cotton
or Paper Towels
Presaturated
Wipes for Surfaces
Ergonomic
Advantages or
Disadvantages
Not ergonomically
designed
A typical cotton
loop mop may
weigh 60 lb. when
saturated with
water; a bucket of
solution can
weigh
approximately 30
lb. and may need
to be lifted several
times a day to
refill
The handles are
ergonomically
designed using light-
weight metals
The mop solution
does not need to be
changed because
contaminated mop
heads are not dipped
in, thus reducing
lifting of heavy mop
buckets
There is no wringing
Because of their higher
water retention
capacity, microfiber
cloths do not need to
be wrung out
repeatedly
None None None
Cost Issues:
Capital and
Operating
Can use existing
supplies
Higher cost for
replacement of
solutions that
become
contaminated
from mop dipping
back in, unless a
divided bucket
system is used
Can be rented
Initial capital
expense can be
captured in life-cycle
costing
Can be rented
UC Davis Medical
Center study found
microfiber mopping
system resulted in
60% lifetime cost
savings for mops,
95% reduction in
chemical costs
associated with
mopping tasks, and
20% labor savings
per day 1
Initial capital expense
can be captured in the
life-cycle costing
Can be rented
Can be
rented
Cost is less
than
microfiber
Ongoing
purchasing and
disposing costs
Ongoing
purchasing and
disposing costs