Microfiber cleaning towels have been around for about ten years now. When I first heard about them they were being sold through distributors in an MLM business. Since my business was professional house cleaning, I couldn't see how they could benefit me due to the high cost.
But I've been wondering more and more, could these really benefit the professional cleaners? So I've been doing some research and what I found should certainly be shared.
What is Microfiber? It is an ultrafine synthetic fiber that is very strong and lint free. Each fiber is split during manufacturing, providing specific benefits. The density of the fibers make the product very absorbent with the ability to hold up to six times its weight in water, and the microbifers have a positive charge that attracts dirt and dust, which has a negative charge. Not only do the micrifibers attract dust and dirt, they hold it tightly so that it is not redistributed while cleaning.
Does Microfiber Really Work? Absolutely! Not only are the microfiber towels available, but now you can purchase microfiber mops to replace both your dry and wet mops.
I purchased a mop that came with three removable mop head pads. These pads are attached to the mop with velcro. The mop has a swivel base that allows it to get under and around furniture. I have wood and vinyl flooring in my house and found the microfiber mop to work very well and it was easy to use.
While dry mopping, I was able to pickup not only dust but small debris from the floor and it was not moved around; it actually was held in the fibers. Due to the swivel mop head, I was able to get into corners and along baseboards.
I prefer cotton string mops for cleaning floors, but I found an immediate benefit to the microfiber. No bending over the water bucket, no wringing out the mop head and no fibers getting caught around table legs or split wood edges on cabinets. And I could still use the figure eight back and forth motion that I use with string mops. In fact, I found that I could mop standing up straighter because the mop is lightweight and maneuverable. Great benefit here to eliminate back pain, shoulder, elbow, wrist and finger injuries.
The microfibers can hold a lot of water without dripping thus leaving the floor cleaner with less standing water. The floor dries much faster, reducing the chance of slipping and sliding. In fact I used a very dry mop head when mopping the wood floor and could see the water evaporating as I mopped.
These microfiber mop pads are very durable and are estimated to last ten times the normal life span of cotton loop mops used in professional cleaning.
So with all these benefits, are there any areas of concern? There are a few: initial investment, cost versus quality, not appropriate for mopping up spills or floods, cannot remove or spread wax, cannot be washed with lint producing items, cannot be laundered in industrial washers and some brands are not recommended for the dryer.
If you're managing teams or a high number of employees, the initial investment can be double or even triple the cost of cotton loop and string mops. And you won't be able to launder these with your terry towels or use a commercial laundry service.
To determine if you should convert your business to microfiber, you'll definitely need a cost benefit analysis to see the cost tradeoffs. If your Workers Comp costs are running high, is it due to scrubbing or mopping? Microfiber mops could possibly reduce the costs related to mopping injuries.
You might also want to consider the use of microfiber as a partial or total replacement for terry towels. Or even just using microfiber for cleaning glass and mirrors. They have the ability to clean and shine without using chemicals. This could possibly also reduce your product cost.
You can purchase microfiber towels on the Internet and also at your local depot and automotive stores in the automotive section. But be aware that all microfiber towels are not equal. There are companies that make only one kind and other companies that have a specific microfiber towel for different tasks.
I would definitely recommend more research into quality and cost before investing in microfiber.
Gail Metcalf built her cleaning business from the ground up and now shares her tips, tricks and trade secrets. Permission is granted to reproduce this article but credit must be given to the author. No part of the article content can be modified, and a link must be provided to: http://housecleaningpro.com
no-contract cleaning service Des Plaines ..Senior citizens are generally not a large marketing segment for... Read More
Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More
The last time I spoke and went into a bit... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
You may be in Mail Order, Direct Mail, or you... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More
You only have so much time in a day right?So... Read More
If you've been considering incorporating your small business, you've probably... Read More
There are several well-known truck washes in the Great State... Read More
Part of the power plan is making sure you have... Read More
There are many little details that go into making sure... Read More
More sales and more profit. Isn't that what you want... Read More
The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More
I love lists. I make them for everything. And I'm... Read More
If you interviewed business owners of failed businesses, a majority... Read More
Why are we over regulation the franchising industry, what purpose... Read More
How often has someone thought of starting a business based... Read More
Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?One of the... Read More
With all the cabinet refacing business opportunities out there, you... Read More
A recent survey showed that only 28.7% of small business... Read More
It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More
Scenario OneDuring a recent presentation, a business owner was given... Read More
When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More
If you're organized, smart, capable and willing to work with... Read More
bathroom cleaning service Lake Forest ..If you are a motorcycle detailer and need to expand... Read More
Here are some sound debt collection techniques that can be... Read More
Just as you are about to say "good-bye" to your... Read More
Most smart entrepreneurs and all large corporations have Employee Relations... Read More
It is estimated that 78% of all small business start-ups... Read More
Don't let your customer satisfaction research initiative collect dust on... Read More
There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More
Company mottos can easily be printed on a business card.Sometimes... Read More
As a company grows, the owner's role begins to change.... Read More
Marketing is one of the four corner-posts of a solid... Read More
You want to know more about making money with your... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
When someone owes your small business money, you certainly feel... Read More
CONSIDERING COMPANY NEEDS: In identifying your needs for the internship,... Read More
Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More
You've heard marketing and advertising gurus quip, "Sell the sizzle,... Read More
Canon City, Colorado is known for it's 6 Prisons; State... Read More
What is the Big Race all about when it comes... Read More
There have been many great points raised on both sides... Read More
What is a guru?A guru is a teacher. A mentor.... Read More
Most pressure washing companies never look into some of the... Read More
One way to determine your companies mission statement is based... Read More
As stability emerges in the Middle East there will be... Read More
Everyday more web based companies enter the business scene. The... Read More
Due to the over regulation in the Franchising Industry and... Read More
Small Business |