ServiceMaster Clean and the Microfiber Advantage “Capture & Removal System”

In a number of our previous articles we have highlighted the advantages of going with ServiceMaster Clean Residential. Earlier we discussed the capture and removal system. Today we will discuss a piece of the system technology; the microfibre cloth.

Often you see the janitors use rags or cotton cloths to clean surfaces. Certainly they are the industry standard, and effective… otherwise we wouldn’t be using them. However as technology progression relentlessly continues, the old cotton cloth has long been supplanted by newer fabrics. For ServiceMaster, this means microfiber cloths.

Now you’ve probably heard about microfiber, but what is it? Basically it is a nylon/polyamide and polyester blend that is far superior to natural fibers on the market for its cleaning properties. Cotton is a uniform, single filament, which does not easily collects solid objects like dirt or bacteria. Much of the absorption occurs by collecting them between the fibres. By contrast, each microfiber strand has a star-like cross section, with deep fissures that gather particulates inside the fibre. A University of Massachusetts study found that they were able to collect 99% of the bacteria on the surface, compared to 33% by an equivalent sized cotton cloth. Its regularly recommended and used in areas where cleaning is critical, like hospitals and schools.(1)

Microfibers’ material composition also enhances the cloth’s ability to clean. Polyester’s smooth texture helps polish a surface, while polyamide as a fantastic absorbent material. The two materials also generate an electrostatic charge, which can draw in dust and lint. Finally, they are far softer than cotton, especially after a number of washes, which means they are safe on any surface that might be at risk of abrasion.

All in all, microfiber is a clearly superior technology to regular cloths, which is why it is part of the ServiceMaster’s Capture and Removal System, which is our primary standard for cleaning. All our janitors in the field only use microfiber cloths in cleaning, which just shows our commitment to always improving our cleaning standards.

(1)http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/ohsep/Documents/CleanSchoolsHandbook.pdf