The might of microfibres can wipe out infection
April 1st 2009 According to Anna Jacobsson,market manager for Healthcare at JohnsonDiversey
UK, microfibres equal healthier cleaning
The ultra microfibre cloth is often better at removing dirt and
bacteria than traditional methods such as a mop and bucket. It
can be used when dry or damp and requires no chemicals
making it versatile, long lasting and cost effective, while also reducing
dependence on chemicals and their impact on the workplace and
environment.
A microfibre will generally be less than
1 denier but ultra microfibres must be
under 0.5 denier to meet current
European standards.This is important
because the smaller the denier, the finer
the fibre and the more particles and
bacteria the cloth will collect. A 20:80 mix
of polyester and polyamide offers the
optimum combination of the grease
cutting properties of polyester and the
water removal and retention properties of
polyamide.
JohnsonDiversey says its cloth utilises 0.27 denier fibres, in which
every 0.27 grams of material contains 9000m of microfibre – less than
100th the thickness of human hair.These fibres have alternate layers
of the two polymers, a composition that is significantly different to
the star-shaped cross-section of traditional microfibres. It promotes
consistent performance, improves cloth durability and is more
efficient at trapping dirt and pathogens.
Ultra microfibre cloths can be used when dry or damp.When dry, a
static charge attracts dirt into the weave and is 100% more effective
than conventional methods.When the cloth is used damp, dirt is
drawn in by capillary action.This can remove
99% of bacteria from a surface, compared with
30% when using conventional methods.Water
usage is minimal and surfaces dry quickly.
Tests have shown that ultra microfibre cloths
remove MRSA from a stainless steel surface and
do not redeposit it onto a previously cleaned
area. JohnsonDiversey claims its cloth is the only
system proven to clean and remove bacteria as
effectively as 1% hypochlorite andalso
guarantees to deliver the same performance
after 500 washes.
Despite the case for ultra microfibres many
hospitals still resort to hypochlorites when there is a major MRSA
outbreak. But conventional wet cleaning with mop and bucket uses
more water and removes less soiling. Even worse, it can spread dirt to
clean areas which increases the risk
of infections spreading. More articles from JohnsonDiversey Equipment Ltd: | 
