March 12, 2021
Reusable Microfiber Cleaning Products for Healthcare
Ensuring environmental cleanliness has always been critical for healthcare facilities to support their infection prevention efforts in hospitals, extended care facilities, and other healthcare facilities.
According to the Center of Disease and Prevention (CDC), environmental cleanliness in healthcare facilities can be directly related to the transmission of a variety of healthcare-associated infections (HAI’s), including SARS-CoV-2 or better know as COVID-19.
The benefits of reusable Microfiber products are well known with information published by many organizations such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC.
Reusable microfiber products are highly durable, extremely absorbent, and have excellent cleaning properties. These products, including cleaning cloths, wet mop solutions, and dust pads, can play an important role in supporting infection prevention at healthcare facilities and provide a cleaner healthcare environment. Implementing microfiber cleaning solutions can be accomplished in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
What is microfiber and how does it work?
In its raw, unfinished state, microfiber begins as a mixture of polyester and polyamide pellets. Through an extrusion process, synthetic fiber is created and then split. Split microfiber is extraordinarily small—finer than a strand of human hair.
The microfiber weaving process creates a series of densely packed split fibers. This dense construction results in a product that is adsorbent, enabling the collection of solute molecules—such as virus or bacteria—by causing those pollutants to attach to the fiber’s adsorbents.
Densely packed microfiber is also electrically charged, facilitating the static attraction of dirt. In contrast to a natural fiber like cotton, the unique properties of synthetic microfiber allow for dirt and moisture to be lifted and stored in the space between the split fibers.
The Benefits of Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
Economic Advantages
- Microfiber is more cost effective than conventional cleaning products and methods.
- Microfiber products are extremely durable, eliminating the need for frequent replacement.
- Dramatically less chemical and water usage is required when using microfiber, because of the inherent cleaning properties.
- Reduced cleaning time may result in lower labor costs.
Impact on Ergonomics
- Products are lighter weight and easier to use than other cleaning methods.
- Microfiber solutions can eliminate the need for heavy mop bucket handling.
- Implementing microfiber may help reduce stress or strain injuries among cleaning staff.
Environmental Benefits
- Microfiber removes approximately 98% of bacteria from hard surfaces with water alone.
- The fibers are non-abrasive, hypoallergenic, and virtually lint-free.
- Endorsed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, microfiber cleaning solutions also conform to the healthcare industry’s JCAHO Environment of Care Standards (1.3, 2.3, and 4.0).
- Less chemical usage and a cleaner facility is better for all.
From cleaning cloths to dust pads and wet mop solutions, microfiber is a tool with widely recognized cleanliness, environmental, and cost savings benefits. To learn more about how to implement microfiber at your healthcare facility, please contact a member of our team.
Related Content
