Non-woven cloths come top in tests

However whilst machinery has improved, so have wiping and cleaning products. To compare performance and end results, a third-party research institute (Swerea Research Institute) has performed tests between textile cloths, rental rags and new wiping products from Tork, based on new technology and non-woven fibres. 

The results shows several benefits of the non-woven products in comparison – for example up to 35% less time and 41% less solvent were required to get the job done. The test results also indicated that non woven products could reduce waste and handling costs by up to 80 % as they weigh less and take up less space than rags.

"When you upgrade your machinery and tools you should also take the opportunity to upgrade to modern wiping and cleaning solutions to maintain them," SCA product manager Rachel Thompson said. "The test results show that there is time, money and quality to be gained from changing to non-woven products."

"The non-woven products we use from Tork have reduced our cost of handling and disposing of our previous wiping and cleaning material by 75%," Patrik Eriksson, Trioplast Sundsvall production manager, said. "On top of that we have also reduced our solvent consumption."

The shift to non-woven products has also reduced environmental impact thanks to reduced consumption, lower use of solvents and reduced transport requirements. In addition, the new products had a positive effect on the working environment by helping staff save valuable time and effort keeping each workstation tidy.