Top of the mops – new innovations in manual cleaning systems
The mop - one of the most utilised products in the cleaning industry, thanks to its simplicity, versatility, and convenience as a daily cleaning tool. It’s a product that has withstood the test of time. Robert Scott has been making mops since 1925 and is the largest mop manufacturer in the UK – producing, on average, half a million mops per week. Here Alastair Scott, sales director at Robert Scott, discusses the advantages of manual mopping systems, new innovations and the importance of choosing the right mop for the task at hand.
When we talk to customers about ‘traditional’ mops, we generally mean socket mops made with cotton-rich yarn. With traditional mops you have a convenient choice between disposable, semi-disposable and reusable mops - depending on the fabric type. Wherever possible we recommend reusable products to help reduce environmental impact. Disposable mops will also drive costs up as they require the constant replenishment of mop heads. However, they are still required in certain situations where what’s being cleaned needs to be disposed of immediately.
Most manual mops are light, easier to use and simpler to move than machines so they’re ideal for quick response cleaning such as spills and accidents. When you add obstacles such as stairs and furniture into the equation, manual mops make even more sense and there’s a range of different solutions available for cleaning from small spaces to large floor areas.
Thanks to advances in mop technology, reusable mop systems are much longer lasting and better for capturing dirt and germs. For example, the washable Hygiemix mop is a cost-effective solution that’s made using cotton, viscose and polyester to create a robust mop that can be washed and reused time and again.
The introduction of microfibre mops and flat mop pads mean that these mops can lift 99% of germs without using any cleaning agent - they also have a static electric charge to capture dust. Microfibre is a fantastic fabric for mop systems as it’s even more absorbent than cotton and can hold up to seven times its weight in water. It’s also fast drying so is ideal for using with spot cleaning or quick response tasks.
Mop fabrics are also now available with antibacterial additives such as the Biofresh mop that inhibits the growth of bacteria and odours within the mop. A similar but more powerful option is the microfibre Nano-Ag flat mop - which includes a silver additive that works in the same way. Both products are designed to be washed and reused many times without any loss of performance.
When it comes to advances in sustainability, most of Robert Scott’s mops are now made from 100% recycled fabric sourced from waste textiles that we manufacture into CHSA accredited mops in the north west of England. We’ve also developed a patented Refill mop comprising a reusable plastic socket and clip, along with a replaceable mop refill. When the mop reaches end-of-life, the user can recycle the fabric refill and reuse the plastic socket.
To make the most of a manual cleaning system, it’s critical for businesses to carry out a cleaning audit of their environment and the needs of their team to ensure suppliers can provide the solution that will deliver cost-effective, superior cleaning results while also saving time for end users.
Taking good care of floorcare
When it comes to floorcare, if you think a brush is a brush then think again. Adrian Peck, business development manager at Hillbrush, looks at the importance of choosing the right brush for the job, floor type and the correct techniques to save time and money.
For most people, a brush is simply a tool to do a job - but don’t underestimate its capability or importance. This is particularly true when it comes to cleaning protocols for high-risk areas such as food manufacturing sites. Choosing, using and maintaining cleaning equipment and systems is essential for minimising the risk of microbial, allergen and foreign body cross-contamination and, in turn, compliance to a range of regulatory requirements, food safety hazard management systems such as HACCP, as well as external accreditations such as BRC and individual customer audits.
For contract cleaners working in these environments using the right brushes for the job is essential. Plastic, food approved cleaning tools have to be used to minimise the risk of cross contamination and comply with food regulations. Floorcare often requires cleaning over large surface areas with cleaning equipment collecting and spreading pathogen contamination. Not only is it essential to ensure that the correct equipment is selected but that it is used, cleaned, stored, and maintained correctly.
So, what type of brush to use for cleaning hard floors? It should not be a question of picking any brush but careful consideration of the selection of tools suitable for the task. Stiffness and length of filaments, brush materials and the type of soils to be removed should be considered. Investing in a cleaning audit from a brush supplier can help with selecting brushes and training can help with ensuring that it is used correctly.
There are many different types of brush fibre which have varying cleaning qualities, as well as ranging from stiff to soft. The type of brush to choose depends on the job that the cleaner is undertaking. A stiff brush, for example, should be used to agitate and remove. A tough brush fibre can be used to remove residues such as wet flour that has been trodden into the floor. Use of a stiff brush with the correct chemicals and manual labour, rather than a jet wash cleaner, will minimise the risk of debris spreading to a wider area.
In contrast, a soft brush should be used to ‘sweep and gather’ on a less smooth surface and is ideal once a stiff brush has been used to remove hardened debris. Brushes and brooms with flagged fibres should not be used in dry food production areas such as bakeries since loose fibres can pose a risk of foreign body contamination. Food processors should choose brushes with extra soft or crimped plastic filaments to ensure filament retention.
Selecting the right cleaning tool for floorcare is just the start. Using a brush correctly is essential to ensure the maximum amount of sweep. Holding the broom at the right angle with the right length handle for your stature will mean that all the fibres - five rows of fibre filaments in the case of Hillbrush brushes - are in contact with the floor. Cheaper cleaning tools do not have the same ‘sweepability’ and require much more time to get the job done. A good example is with a floor squeegee used for washing down at the end of a production shift. A washdown will result in listeria which requires careful cleaning with a squeegee and correct chemicals. If the squeegee is well maintained and used correctly it should sit flush with the ground, with the water removed easily with a few bold sweeps.
Old or faulty cleaning tools, and incorrect cleaning and storage of tools, are all key factors contributing to potential microbiological hazards. Floor cleaning should reduce the risk of bacteria, not contribute to the loading on equipment and the environment.
Manual Dexterity
Dominic Ponniah, CEO of Cleanology, explains why manual cleaning systems are here for the long-haul.
We live in a world that is seeing ever-greater levels of automation and robotic technology. Driverless cars are a regular feature in the news and, in agriculture, automated harvesting techniques have been relatively common for some time. Cleaning, however, is a different kettle of fish - we are still, at our core, a very human industry. So why is manual cleaning still so prevalent, and is this a good thing?
Considering the column inches given over to fresh developments and automated technology, you might be forgiven for thinking the cleaning sector was driven by robotic vacuum cleaners. However, the vast majority of contract cleaning is still performed manually. Daytime cleaning, like the emptying of bins or cleaning of washrooms and desks, is all performed by hand, and most pieces of specialist equipment require an operator.
This operator-led technology can be beneficial, and often bring environmental benefits. Today’s rotary buffing machines, for example, are typically battery-operated, cordless models which use less water and chemicals than their predecessors. Completely automated machinery is already a feature in some settings, such as large school halls and airports, but the intricacy of manoeuvring around toilets or climbing up and down stairs still requires human skills.
This is not to say that robotic solutions will never be capable of managing all the tasks that human staff perform. We are seeing trials of robot cleaners in washrooms, and robots may be suitable for basic tasks such as collecting cups from desks. However, price tags make robotic options uneconomical. With a basic floor scrubbing machine costing £20,000, we are a long way from the point where robotic options threaten to replace the majority of human employees.
As an employer, automation versus manual systems raises a number of other concerns. Where people management brings challenges around performance and absence, automation raises questions about reliability and durability; will a robot do as good a job, and how long will it last?
Our industry is so heavily focused around people that new ways of working would bring a very different feel and energy. As managers, our work would have a greater emphasis on logistics and far less on nurturing and developing staff.
Since the advent of COVID, manual cleaning has taken on greater significance. Touchpoint cleaning, while not at the level as during the height of the pandemic, is still an important part of our daily routine. At some sites we have increased the number of cleaning hours to allow for thorough touchpoint cleaning; at others, reduced footfall means less staff coming into the office, and we have introduced different shifts to work around the client. All staff are trained to perform detail cleaning, such as removing marks on furniture, cleaning of skirting boards and window ledges.
Whatever the task or system, manual or automated, it is important to remember that quality is the key. As part of Cleanology’s national expansion, we found that old fashioned quality cleaning still trumps everything else. Ultimately, whether man or machine is performing the task, it is good, old fashioned elbow grease that counts.
Making manual cleaning easier
Every cleaning need requires equipment suitable for the task: using the right tool to clean surfaces ensures you get the best results in the shortest time with minimum effort.
TTS systems for dusting and washing offer high performance and high hygiene standards. The range allows cleaning of any type of surface, efficiently removing different degrees of dirt. In addition, it allows operators to perform their tasks quickly and without fatigue, cutting costs and reducing the risk of occupational injury.
Clean and dry in one single movement
According to TTS, Clean Glass revolutionises surface cleaning, making it simple and fast. The system cleans and dries at once, saving time and reducing traditional task costs. Ideal for cleaning shiny surfaces such as mirrors, glass and stainless steel, the ultra-microfibre cloth removes smudges, dust and dirt and quickly dries surfaces leaving them clean and without streaks.
Lightweight, handy and easy to use, the hand frame offers a larger cleaning surface area than manual wiping and perfect contact to the surface being cleaned. In addition, its ergonomic handle grip reduces operator fatigue. Clean Glass enables higher surfaces to be accessed with ease thanks to the frame and its ‘block system’ joint designed for vertical surface cleaning, combined with a telescopic handle with non-slip grip.
A solution for each cleaning need
Inadequate care of surfaces risks damaging them, so it is necessary to use only suitable equipment that can ensure deep and gentle cleaning at the same time. Touch manual cloths meet the needs of the different surfaces to be treated, ensuring maximum performance and minimum time and effort. The unique line offers high quality solutions for every surface, including the most delicate ones.
TTS solutions range for surface cleaning has recently been enhanced with Allice Eco, an eco-friendly multi-purpose microfibre certified EU Ecolabel, ideal for any type of dirt and surface.
Allice Eco and Touch cloths can be used with BiLap Twist, the innovative duster that ensures the easy cleaning of hard-to-reach surfaces. Thanks to the twisting plate you can use both sides of the frame while the convenient adjustment system allows you to incline it up to 270°. Finally, the Lampo handgrip can be quickly attached to the telescopic handle or pole equipped with Jack Lampo cone to reach higher surfaces.
Manual disposable cloths on a roll by TTS make surface sanitising simple and immediate, ensuring effective disinfection and maximum control of cross contamination. The distinctive pierced layer encourages effective dirt collection while the TNT composition is characterised by excellent absorbency and homogeneous release of the cleaning solution. The 90 tears roll can be used dry or soaked with cleaning or sanitising solution in the dedicated bucket with lid - the closable window facilitates the extraction of the individual tears while the hermetic closure of the lid preserves the active ingredients.
Visible cleaning for every type of flooring
According to Gordon McVean, Truvox International’s executive director, staff and visitors are reassured when they see cleaning being carried out by humans using hand-operated walk-behind machines.
In recent years, there’s been a clear trend towards automation and robotics for floor cleaning, particularly in larger premises. Automated cleaning tends to be scheduled for when buildings are empty, so while highly effective, it remains invisible to the general public. There is a high cost of entry for robotic cleaning machines, offset by savings in labour costs, but the human element remains crucial in a post-COVID world.
One of the legacies of the pandemic is a heightened focus on health and wellness, and a move towards making cleaning a ‘front-of-house’ routine, rather than something that’s carried out behind the scenes and out of hours. Staff and visitors are reassured when they see cleaning being carried out by humans, using hand-operated walk-behind machines.
That’s why Truvox International was proud to launch the new three-product Multiwash PRO range last year - and a top priority during the design process was to ensure that the range is simple and easy to use, while also looking great and highly professional. From carpets to hard floors, and from entrance matting to escalators, the Multiwash PRO range is designed to work on every kind of flooring - washing, scrubbing and drying in a single pass, giving excellent and unrivalled cleaning results and leaving floors ready for customers and staff to walk on in minutes.
Multiwash PRO effectively and efficiently delivers increased productivity, and the versatile machines’ cylindrical brush diameter gives up to 12% more scrubbing power - delivering vastly better results than those achieved using standard rotary machines.
Made in the UK
Last year, Truvox International brought the manufacturing of its Cimex carpet and hard-floor cleaning range back to the UK. We excel at manufacturing and being able to reinforce British manufacturing by saying ‘made in the UK’ is extremely important to us.
Hand-operated Cimex machines provide the perfect solution for heavy-duty cleaning applications, and are therefore not something you would use on a daily basis. High-footfall premises in every sector require a thorough deep-clean around every four to six months but, post-COVID, all premises now need to ensure they’ve achieved a truly deep-clean. As well as creating a more hygienic and measurably cleaner environment, Cimex machines deliver major productivity savings as they can clean large areas with a single pass.
There can be an assumption that specifiers, FMs and cleaning companies fully understand the differing priorities for ensuring the proper cleaning of different flooring surfaces, but that really isn’t the case. Truvox International is a consultative business with many years of experience in the efficient cleaning of hundreds of different flooring types. So, rather than specifying flooring new-build or refurbishing and then discovering down the line that there are cleaning issues which are difficult to resolve, we highly recommend talking to us first. We’re a solutions business, and we can help build-in efficient cleaning for flooring choices, while supplying expertise and an unbeatable range of hand-operated British-made machines which are designed to handle every flooring cleaning challenge, and guaranteed to deliver high-standards time after time.
