Which cloths make the grade?
October 1st 2006

Unger has introduced a Microfibre Grading System, a method of classifying various qualities of microfibre according to usage specifications.The company says this means customers can maximise cleaning investment and enhance sanitation

An advanced approach founded on the technology of Unger's SmartColor MicroWipes, the Microfibre Grading System rates the integrity, quality construction and endurance of the cloth based on four primary factors: durability, scrub factor, absorbency and wash cycles.The Microfibre Grading System simplifies the process of microfibre purchase and selection by offering customers guidelines that maximise cleaning investment and enhance sanitation.

"We are the first manufacturer to conduct extensive research to determine appropriate application specifications for varying grades of Microfibre," said Dave Rogers,General Manager at Unger UK."Selecting a grade of microfibre can often be confusing. Now customers can be confident they are not over-investing in high grade microfibre for light-duty cleaning environments, or under-purchasing for heavily soiled applications."

Studies have established that cleaning frequencies, soil types and other facility management variables require matching the right grade of cloth to the conditions of the cleaning task to achieve the most efficient level of cleanliness. The microfibre dislodges and grabs fine particles and oils resident in the crevices of a surface. Cloths, sponges and scrub pads can't reach these tiny pores, which are invisible to the naked eye.

To better meet the needs of cleaning professionals,Unger now offers its SmartColor MicroWipes in three grades:MicroWipe 4000 for heavy duty cleaning,MicroWipe 2000 for medium duty cleaning and MicroWipe 500 for light cleaning. Each microfibre cloth is 16 inches square and has double-stitched edges to withstand multiple washings and repeated cleaning applications.

"The range of cleaning tasks for which microfibre can be used is dictated by qualities such as fibre thickness, length, finishing abrasiveness, absorbency, cloth dimension, edging and the manufacturing quality,"Rogers said."The Microfibre Grading System is a guide to purchasing the right microfibre for the job. For example, SmartColor MicroWipe 4000 Heavy Duty and SmartColor MicroWipe 2000 Medium Duty are well-suited to the health care, food service and manufacturing industries where bacteria and heavy soil loads are pervasive.The SmartColor MicroWipe 500 Light Duty is ideal for educational and office environments."

Unger MicroWipes absorb more than seven times their weight in water, lower bacteria levels by 96 percent and require the use of fewer chemicals and disposable products.When used dry,MicroWipes collect dust through their static charge.All grades of Unger MicroWipes are colour coded as part of Unger's SmartColor Cleaning System, which combines superior technology with the productivity and sanitation benefits of visual coding.Cleaning managers can customise a colour code system for the unique needs of their facility for example; Red MicroWipes are ideal for the washroom, green in the kitchen and foodservice areas and blue for general and light office cleaning, reducing cross contamination and improving performance.

"Not all cloths are equal in quality and strength,"Rogers added."The Microfibre Grading System provides customers with a guideline for determining which microfibre tools to choose. Every Unger cloth has a grading label indicating the specifications for that particular grade.The system helps optimise return on investment by guiding the purchase of the best tools for every cleaning need."

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