Perfected in the the 1960’s in Japan by Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto, Microfiber is a synthetic fiber that is finer than a strand of silk, which in turn is one fifth the diameter of a human hair. Microfiber is made from a combination of polyesters and polyamides and is stronger and more durable than natural fibers.
Commercial microfiber mops and cloths use in hospital and hotel janitorial departments is growing due to microfiber’s long-term economy, color-coding to lessen cross-contamination, and ability to efficiently eradicate bacteria. The automotive industry adopted commercial microfiber cloths for their streak-free properties and lint-less finishing. Microfiber sheets, pillowcases, and throws are economical, soft, and durable. Perfect for hardwearing modern families.
Incredibly strong, the yarn’s strength comes from a process called splitting whereby single fiber is divided up to ten times then spun back together to create a stronger, more intertwined, yarn (great for trapping dirt).
Splitting timing is critical. Splitting fiber over extended periods of time ‘cook’ the fiber which breaks down, forming lint (a microfiber no-no). If the splitting process is too short, it saves production cost and the potential for lint. However, less time splitting results in a less absorbent cloth. Improper, unaudited, splitting inhibits the cloth’s effectiveness.
The cross section of a microfiber yarn reveals a ‘cracked’ star pattern which collects more particles of dirt than natural fibers. During the splitting process a positive electric ‘static’ charge embedded within the fiber. This charge pulls dirt to the microfiber, and keeps it within the cracked yarns. Many wholesale microfiber mops and cloths are woven into small loops which provide more surface area to catch dirt. Studies by the EPA found that microfiber mops eliminated 99% of bacteria from surfaces (compared to the 33% reduction by regular mops).
Using microfiber reduces fatigue while increasing square footage coverage and allows fewer trips to change water/solution. For example, in 1 year a hospital could see a 20% average custodial labor savings per day. When combined with the mop cost savings it can be more than $7,000 per year, per custodian!
Our microfiber solutions greatly reduce inhaling and/or absorption of toxic chemicals. Can you believe that each year in the United States, commercial structure managers spend as much on hazardous cleaning chemicals as is spent on over 1 million cars, or 100,000 houses?* Our cleaning solution significantly decrease this demand, which benefits everyone!
Color-coding reduces cross contamination risks by keeping common area products separate from high risk zones. All of our products are available in multiple colors to ensure a smooth process. Below is an example of how custodians eliminate color contamination.
Although microfiber mops need 5% of the chemical used with cotton mops, microfiber flat mops should be ‘charged’ before use. Commercial laundries will place damp mops in plastic bags with a small amount detergent to soak prior to use. It usually takes 30 minutes to fully charge the mop. Your linen rental company will deliver pre-treated mops for use. Use an empty bucket with a shelf to hold the charged mops. Mop hard surfaces thoroughly, drop the dirty pad into the bottom of the bucket, and quickly attach a new hook and loop or Pocket mop to finish the area. Use different colors for each type of area (e.g. red for Bathrooms, blue for common areas, and green for food service).
Microfiber mops can be laundered up to 500 times. Compare that to the 55-100 times of regular mops. For example, in one year, a hospital could see a 60% reduction in mop costs. More mops fit in one load of laundry, lowering water, detergent, and energy usage.
To preserve the life of your microfiber wash and dry after use. Otherwise you run the risk of contaminants setting in the cloth. This will hamper future cleaning efforts by clogging the fine cleaning channels and increases the risk of cross contamination.
Microfibers are more susceptible to damage due to heat. Their polyamide material could deform when in contact with hot dryer drums. If you insist on machine-drying, set the temperature to a maximum of 140°F and remove immediately following the dry cycle. When ‘drying’ microfiber you have three options.
Unfortunately, no. The proliferation of microfiber products has led many mills to cut corners, manufacturing product hastily and cheaply. However, if you control each element of production, you control quality, your reputation, and customer relationships. The SmartChoice brand is our microfiber line. We deploy an end-to-end quality control process. As we own the whole production process our QC inspections focus on yarn splitting, spinning, weaving, dyeing, cutting, sewing and even during packaging. We have been told that our defective cloths are considered normal for other manufacturers, and we’re proud of that.
When we wholesale microfiber mops and cloths we have the utmost confidence that our product is simply better than the competition. We’ve been around since 1947, and although Microfiber is a relatively recent development, the principles we stand by (sourcing the best possible product for each unique situation) stay the same. For more information about our lines and who wholesales microfiber in your area call (800) 333-7247.
