Cleaning tablet's tops for mops
December 1st 2007

It is vital that mops and mop heads are vigorously cleaned and sanitised in order to prevent cross contamination and ensure effective performance. Chemaide says this is where its latest cleaning agent, the Chemtab-Plus, comes into its own

The downside of increased cleaning performance is that the more dirt that is lifted from the dirty surface, the more contaminated the mop heads become. Similarly, cross contamination occurs when infected cleaning tools such as mops come in contact with floor surfaces, causing bad odours, spreading germs and even illnesses.

The degree of contamination in the cleaning process can be determined by identifying low and high-risk areas of a building. For example high-risk areas would include toilet, food service and changing room areas.These areas are most susceptible to rapid bacteria growth and can contaminate mops almost instantly.

It is advised by many organisations that for cleanliness and to prevent mops causing cross contamination mop heads should be removed and laundered, preferably daily, and stored to dry. Mop buckets should be emptied, washed and dried after each use.

The problem on many sites is the laundering on a daily basis to ensure the mop heads are clean and bacteria free. It is well documented that chlorine releasing agents for example hypochlorite/ bleach are rapidly effective against bacteria, viruses and spores.However they do not work or the performance is very limited in the presence of dirt or organic material, so it is important to clean thoroughly before using them. So to achieve a satisfactory result a two part process is required, proving time consuming and potentially leading to a health and safety risk.

Chemaide says it has resolved the problem of mop head sanitising with CHEMTAB-PLUS. Chemtab-Plus is a fast dissolving 3.25 gram tablet which combines the sanitising power of NaDCC, with detergent builders and low foaming surfactants for better cleaning results.

Depending on the degree of soiling, by placing one to four tablets into a bucket of fresh clean warm water,mop heads are simply left to soak in the solution, rinsed and then left to dry. A tablet has a greater biological effect due to a near neutral PH of 6.5 and is less corrosive to metals than the use of liquid bleach.

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