Case Study

It may seem unlikely that a product can clean bacteria off of surfaces without using harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, but a study by the EPA shows otherwise.  

The EPA November 2002 pamphlet, Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals, was about a case study with the University of California Davis Medical Center that began in the summer of 1999.  

According to the case study, UCDMC found significant improvements from using micro fiber mops versus using the conventional wet mop cleaning.  After a floor was cleaned using a wet mop, a bacteria culture show only 30% of the bacteria was removed, whereas the micro fiber mop showed a 99% reduction in bacteria.  The study showed that micro fiber mops were effectively penetrating surfaces and removing dust particles that their wet mop counterparts missed.

There were economic benefits to using micro fiber mops, too.  UCDMC had a lifetime cost savings of 60% for the mops, a 95% reduction of costs related to mopping and a 20% daily savings in labor costs.  Although initially, the costs to switch to micro fiber mops was substantial, the savings off set the costs.  In other areas, there were cost reductions, although they weren't as easily quantified.   Savings from using less water (UCDMC used 95% less water for mopping after the switch), fewer workman's comp claims and construction savings - not needing gargantuan mop sinks in janitors' closets.

Although the study showed a success in switching to the micro fiber mop system, UCMDC did not use the mops in high body fluid areas (blood, etc), such as emergency rooms or high-traffic, greasy areas like the kitchen.  In the emergency and operating rooms, conventional mops were used and in the kitchen, mechanical cleaning machines were implemented.