There are many different types of mop heads, each having unique advantages and disadvantages. In this blog, we’ll cover the most common types and what they’re best at. Our janitorial experts have also picked out their recommended mops to boost your efficiency and save your budget.

Cotton Mop Heads

Cotton mop heads are ideal for applying floor stripper.

Benefits:

• Good absorption
• Low initial cost

Drawbacks:

• Lints/leaves fibers behind
• Dries slowly
• Requires break-in
• Can shrink when laundered
• Cannot effectively be laundered

Good

BWKCM02024S

Better

BWKCM20024

Best

BWK224CCT

Rayon Mop Heads

Rayon mop heads are ideal for applying floor finish.

Benefits:

• Good release
• Dries fast
• Mildew & mold resistant

Drawbacks:

• Poor liquid retention and absorbtion

Good

BWK2024RCT

Better

BWK224RCT

Best

BWK424RCT

Reusable Microfiber Mop Heads

Reusable microfiber mop heads are ideal for applying floor finish or light spill clean up.

Benefits:

• Durable
• Good absorption
• Can also be used for regular cleaning

Drawbacks:

If not laundered properly:

• Can experience quat-binding
• Can trap dirt and pathogens, potentially spreading germs

Good

RCPQ410RED

Better

RCPQ409BLUEA

Best

RCPFGQ41000BL00

Disposable Microfiber Mop Heads

Disposable microfiber mop heads are ideal for floor disinfection.

Benefits:

• No risk of build-up from previous cleaning procedures, mitigatins the risk of spreading germs

Drawbacks:

• Can only be used one time

Better

UNGDMWS2

Best

RCP2134282

Cotton/Synthetic Mop Heads

Cotton/synthetic mop heads are ideal for everyday floor cleaning or spill clean up.

Benefits:

• Good absorption
• Good liquid retention

Drawbacks:

• Can shrink when laundered

Good

BWK502BLNB

Better

BWK502BLEA

Best

BWK503BLEA

It’s important to make sure your mops are suited for your use case. Using the wrong type in the wrong environment creates extra work for your staff, lowering efficiency and requiring more frequent replacement. If you’re still not sure which mop head is best for you, contact us and our experts will help you find the perfect fit for your needs and budget!

Contact Us

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There are many different types of floor substrates which each have varying care needs. This blog provides a brief overview of the most common types. Whether you’re looking to install new floors or maintaining what you already have, it’s important to know what you’re working with! Our janitorial and sanitation experts are always here to help advise you on best practices.

Black Plank

This surface is almost exclusively found only in Post Offices across North America. The black floor helps postal workers see letters that have fallen on the ground!

Ceramic

This surface is a mixture of clay and water which has been shaped and then fired at high temperatures. Ceramic can have a glazed (shine) look, but can also have an unglazed (dull) appearance. There will always be grout between the tiles, but due to different manufacturing processes, tiles will vary.

Unglazed ceramic can stain easily if unprotected and the grout requires frequent cleaning.

Concrete

This surface is a complex mixture of hydrated cement, sand, aggregate, and additives. Concrete floors are highly alkaline (pH 9 or greater), react with most acids, and are very porous. Most are gray, but they can also be colored and/or stamped.

Concrete flooring can be polished, topically coated, or brushed. It’s very acid sensitive. Do not leave polished concrete without protection as staining and etching will occur rapidly.

Epoxy

Epoxy is a term that’s come to represent a class of materials and the act of using those materials. When mixed together, resin and hardener chemically react to form a rigid plastic material. The final material is strong, durable, resistant, and bonds extremely well to most base layers.

Granite

This surface is a natural-made stone. Granites are hard and not easily scratched by a nail, knife, or glass. Commercial granites are not affected by common organic acids such as a lemon acid and vinegar, contrary to marbles.

Limestone

This surface is a sedimentary rock formed in shallow waters. It contains calcite, dolomite and frequently contains fossils and shell fragments clearly visible in the surface.

Limestone is a softer stone and can be polished relatively easily and reacts negatively with most acids.

Linoleum

This surface is made from natural materials including limestone, cork flour, wood flour, pigments, and oxidized linseed oil added to a rosin. The mixture is heated and then pressed onto a jute/burlap backing under high pressure.

Linoleum has a unique linseed smell and is generally resistant to mild acids, grease/oil and solvents. This floor is very Alkaline sensitive and requires special stripping chemicals.

LVT

This surface is new to the industry. It can be found in the form of Luxury Vinyl Tile laminate and Sheet Flooring.

These floors are tough from their factory applied hard mill coating. This coating, while durable, cannot be repaired once damaged.

Marble

This surface is a limestone that has been subjected to intense heat and pressure for millions of years, transforming it into a very compact crystalline structure. Pure marble is a uniform white color with no markings or irregularities. The swirls and veins are caused by various minerals that work their way into the limestone as it crystallizes.

Marble is very acid sensitive.

Quarry Tile

This surface is made using a mixture of clay and water which has been shaped and then fired at high temperatures. The surface is usually unglazed and frequently found in kitchens & restrooms.

Quarry tile is intentionally porous to allow water and oil to travel through the substrate rather than create a slip hazard on the surface.

Rubber

This surface (tiles, sheets, or poured rubber) is a mixture of synthetic rubber, virgin rubber, fillers (synthetic, recycled, inert) and color pigments. The raw materials are mixed, heated, rolled out, and then cut to size.

Rubber is sensitive to alkalinity. Care must be taken to use a low-alkaline stripper.

Sandstone

This surface is composed of sedimentary rocks that are primarily quartz minerals loosely cemented together with calcite, iron oxides. and other colored minerals. It is recognized by its distinct sand-like appearance.

Sandstone is a softer stone that can be polished relatively easily and reacts negatively with most acids.

Sheet Vinyl

This surface comes in varied sizes, colors, and vinyl contents. Sheet vinyl is easily mistaken with linoleum. The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the backing (when possible) to see if it contains jute or not. Jute backing signals a linoleum floor.

Older sheet vinyl requires a traditional maintenance program.

Slate

This surface is a hard, fine-grained, metamorphic rock that cleaves naturally into thin layers.

Slate usually has a very rough texture which makes cleaning it a challenge. Brushes work much better than pads.

Terrazzo

This surface is a type of substrate in which chips or pieces of stone (e.i. marble or granite) are mixed with cement or epoxy matrix and ground to a flat surface that exposes the chip. The poured in place terrazzo typically uses aluminum or brass divider strips that allow the terrazzo to expand without cracking.

Terrazzo is very acid sensitive. It can be polished relatively easily and reacts negatively with most acids.

Travertine

This surface is a type of limestone formed where underground streams have run through it. It is characterized by numerous holes of various sizes, which are often filled prior to installation on a floor.

Travertine is a softer stone that can be polished relatively easily. It reacts negatively with most acids.

VAT

This surface is very similar to VCT in construction, except it contains asbestos fibers. These tiles have not been manufactured since 1983.

Be sure to follow OSHA guidelines and your companies safety protocols when working with asbestos floor tiles. Never burnish asbestos tiles. Keep it coated and use very low abrasion methods when cleaning and stripping.

VCT

This surface is composed of clay, filler, and color pigments with vinyl resin used as the binder. It is somewhat more flexible and resilient than asphalt tile.

Vct is the most common floor type, but is becoming less and less popular due to high maintenance costs. It’s the least expensive floor to buy but the most expensive to maintain.

Wood Gym Floors

Gym floors are made out of maple planks. Maple is one of the toughest woods you can use as a flooring material as it can take a good beating. For an indoor sports floor, maple can withstand all kinds of activity.

Wood floors do not like moisture. Be careful applying too much water to wood gym floors as this may lead to issues like warping of planks.

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Everyone knows that it’s best to have a clean space over a dirty one. Not only does it just look better, it can also reduce sick time and improve moral. How you achieve that can differ from scenario to scenario, but fret not! This cleaning guide will help you learn the right product for the right problem.

Clean

Cleaning is the process of removing soil from surfaces. This could be a wide range of things from food, dirt, stains, or any unwanted matter. A clean environment is essential to your workplace being open and inviting to both staff and clients alike.

DVO04578

DVO101109753

DVO04705

DVO95891789

Sanitize

To sanitize something is to destroy some of the germs on it. “Sanitizer” refers to products that prevent the spread of disease by killing germs on surfaces and skin. They are more effective against bacteria than they are viruses.

Sanitizers play a key role in keeping high touch surfaces safe. They are commonly used in all types of businesses.

DVO5756018

DVO90223

DVS5756034

Disinfect

Disinfecting means killing all types of disease-causing germs on a surface. Disinfectant chemicals destroy many forms of harmful microorganisms, but are less effective against spores.

One-Step V.S. Two-Step Products

• One-step products will clean and disinfect at the same time, unless there is visible soiling.
• Two-step products require a separate cleaning step to be performed before use.

DVO04743

DVO04832

DVO5283038

Sterilize

Sterilizing a surface kills all living microorganisms that may be on that surface. Sterilization is performed on high risk items, like instruments used in surgery.

DVS4963331

DVO100850916

DVO4963314

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Low Density Trash Bags

Low density trash bags, or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) trash bags, are made from high quality resins. These allow the bags to be thicker, flexible, and more resistant to tears or punctures. LLDPE bags are incredibly durable and great for outdoor trash cans, bars, demolition & construction debris, kitchen trash, and more. They are ideal for trash that contains:

• Cardboard
• Wood
• Metal
• Sharp Food Waste
• Glass
• Irregularly Shaped or Jagged Items

Low density bags are measured in mils, which is 1/1000 of an inch. A higher mil count will equate to a thicker bag. For instance, a standard kitchen trash bag is .9 mil, while a contractor bag can be as high as 6.0 mil. The mil size will vary depending on the use of the bag itself.

High Density Trash Bags

While LLDPE are more commonly found in receptacles, you will find high density polyethylene trash bags (HDPE) widely available, as well. These are produced from high molecular density resins in tightly packed straight molecules. They are directionally strong because of those straight molecules only facing one direction. However, they are thinner and therefore not as puncture resistant. This makes them ideal for carrying soft, yet heavy loads that do not have rough edges, like:

• Dirt
• Towels
• Shredded Paper
• Restroom Waste
• Office Waste
• Smooth, Heavy Objects
• Clothing

High density bags are measured in microns, which is 1/1000 of a millimeter. Generally, high density bags vary from 5 to 24 microns in width, also dependent upon the use of the bag.

How To Tell Them Apart

While both high and low density trash bags have their similarities – they’re both used for trash, after all, there are two key differences to help you determine the density; all you must do is touch them and listen to how they sound. HDPE will be stiffer and sound “crustier”. LLDPE trash bags are quieter and smoother to the touch.  

Seals

The bottom of the bag is crucial to both how it fits into the receptacle and the ability to prevent leaks. There are three distinct types of seals, all useful for specific kinds of garbage disposal.

Flat Seal

The post The Best Bag for Your Trash appeared first on Sundance Office | Office Supplies | Tulsa.

TruShot 2.0

Looking for a dispensing system for your small office or anywhere the occupants are cleaning themselves? TruShot 2.0 from SC Johnson is the way to go. It has an easy-to-use system that requires no mixing or measuring AND can be filled at any water source.

Decorative Bankers Boxes

If you need to utilize storage boxes, at least make them decorative. Stylish with the heavy-duty strongness you love about Banker Boxes. These fit both legal and letter files. Quick and easy to assemble and easily stackable.

Fellowes AeraMax
Air Purifier

This purifier has four-stage hospital-type filtration that effectively cleans small spaces. The Aeramax line detects air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed to keep your air purified. True HEPA filter safely removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, including allergens, viruses, and cigarette smoke.

Purell Surface Disinfectant

This product is fantastic! It is a one-step disinfectant and sanitizer that kills 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria – including cold and flu, strep, norovirus, Listeria, MRSA, VRE, and human coronavirus. Can be used on both hard and soft surfaces AND can be used on food-contact surfaces with no rinse required. Perfect for the office and the breakroom!

The post Spring Cleaning – It’s Never Too Late! appeared first on Sundance Office | Office Supplies | Tulsa.

Jet Air Dryers vs Paper Towels

Source: Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies

95% of adults don’t wash their hands long enough to remove bacteria and germs, so they remain on their hands after washing. If they dry their hands with a jet air dryer afterwards, the germs and bacteria blow off in water droplets. These water droplets can travel as far as 6.5 feet and remain in the air for up to 15 minutes.

Jet Air Dryers can increase the germ count on fingers by up to
42% as compared to not washing them at all.

The Science is Clear: Paper Towels are Good Hygiene

A University of Westminster study found high-speed and warm-air dryers can harbor bacteria on surfaces and inside dryers. This could lead to cross contamination if users reach inside and touch the surface of the unit or when bacteria could be carried in the airstream and deposited on wet hands.

And the bacteria they found? It included fecal bacteria such as E. coli, as well as Staphylococcus. YUCK!

An article in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings Journal also examined the hygienic efficacy of these hand-drying methods. Mayo’s recommendation? Paper towels are the best hand-drying option in locations where “hygiene is paramount,” such as hospitals and clinics. The study concluded, “From a hygiene viewpoint, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers.” While the study may just have been talking about hospitals and clinics, all businesses can take note to ensure their facilities have good hygiene as well.

Ready to switch out your jet air dryers?
Contact Us today to see how you can upgrade your
restroom towel dispensers for a penny!

Sources For More Information:
The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence, Mayo Clinic Proceedings

E.L. Best, K. Redway, “Comparison of Different Hand-Drying Methods: The Potential for Airborne Microbe Dispersal and Contamination,” Journal of Hospital Infection, 89 (2015)

P.T. Kimmitt & K.F. Redway, “Evaluation of the Potential for Virus Dispersal During Hand Drying: A Comparison of Three Methods,” Journal of Applied Microbiology, 120 (2016)

E.L. Best, P. Parnell and M.H. Wilcox, “Microbiological Comparison of Hand-Drying Methods: The Potential for Contamination of the Environment, User and Bystander,” Journal of Hospital Infection, 88.4 (2014)

WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care, Published by the World Health Organization

Observational Study at ISSA/Interclean Amsterdam 2016, Published by the European Tissue Symposium

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1. Hygiene   

Now is the time to protect your workplace and improve hygiene, and paper towels are the most hygienic way to dry hands. Need proof? Check out these scientific studies on hygiene and hand drying methods. (See study here). Did you know? One in four public refillable bulk soap dispensers are contaminated with unsafe levels of bacteria. Scott skin care dispensers use replacement cartridges for superior hygiene and easy refilling without the mess of bulk soap dispensers. 

2. Cost and Efficiency  

Scott Dispensers are essentially free. At only a penny each and with Sundance offering free installation, there is no up-front labor cost for your business. Scott hard roll towels offer the easiest roll towel to change out on the market, lowering employee time to change rolls out. Scott also offers larger than industry standard towel rolls, up to 1,150 feet of towel, meaning fewer employee trips to replace the towel rolls. Scott skin care replacement cartridges are fast and easy to change out saving time and hassle vs. bulk pour dispensers and offers significant savings vs. freestanding pump bottles. 

3. Reduced Waste  

Whether in a dispenser, tray, or sitting on the counter, multi-fold towels are inefficient and too often visitors grab more towels than are needed. Bunching in dispensers will often result in handfuls of wasted paper towels. Scott hard roll towel dispensers offer three sheet lengths and dispenses just the right amount of towel needed for your restroom visitors to take 1-2 towels, thus lowering waste. In addition, Scott soap cartridges are recyclable after the pump is removed. 

4. Environmentally Sustainable  

Scott towels are certified by the Forest Sustainability Council and are an ECOLOGO certified product for reduced environmental impact. Scott Essential Green Certified Skin Cleansing Soap (earth friendly hand soap) is both Green Seal and NFS certified. 

5. Flexibility and Quality  

Scott offers dispensers in multiple sizes, shapes, and colors to fit where you need them. Refills come in various sizes from 580ft to 1,150ft, allowing customization for each facility. New Scott hard roll paper towels offer fast-drying Absorbency Pockets to provide efficient, reliable hand-drying for your washroom or break room that was preferred 4 to 1 based upon a 2019 KCP Brand Differentiation Study.

Check Out the New ICON Line from Kimberly-Clark Professional 

The Kimberly-Clark Professional™ ICON™ dispenser collection brings together intuitive design and clever engineering. Paper Towel, Skin Care and Bathroom Tissue Dispensers. 

• Interchangeable Faceplates
  Customize with your artwork or logo (or even your face)! 

• 99.99% Jam-free operation
  Ensure paper towels are ready when needed. 

• Flexible Mounting & Servicing Options
  We know everyone has different needs, and this product can cover them all. 

• Quiter Dispensing & Long-Lasting Battery
  150,000+ dispenses on a single set of batteries in the ICON™ hand towel dispenser.

Additional Options to Match Your Space, Style & Preference 

Paper Towels

White or Black Dispensers in Touch-Free or Manual Dispensing. 

Scott® Pro Electronic Hard Roll Towel Dispenser
Item #: KCC34348

Scott® Pro Mod Manual Hard Roll Towel Dispenser
Item #: KCC34347

Scott® Essential Electronic Hard Roll Towel Dispenser
Item #: KCC48860 

Scott® Essential Manual Hard Roll Towel Dispenser
Item #: KCC46254

Skin Care Dispensers 

Scott Skin Care Dispensers work with refill options for soap and sanitizer including liquid, Foam, Antimicrobial, Green Certified, and Moisturizing products. 

Scott® Electronic Skin Care Dispenser, White
Item #: KCC32499

Scott® Essential Electronic Skin Care Dispenser, Black
Item #: KCC92148

Scott® Essential Manual Skin Care Dispenser
Item #: KCC92144

Bathroom Tissue Dispensers 

Scott dispensers are compatible with easy to change high-capacity bathroom tissues with nearly invisible paper cores for better roll utilization that offer 10% more sheets per case than the industry standard. 

Scott® Pro High Capacity Coreless SRB Tissue Dispenser
Item #: KCC44517 

Scott® Essential Coreless SRB Tissue Dispenser for Business
Item #: KCC09604

Scott® Pro Coreless Jumbo Roll Tissue Dispenser
Item #: KCC34832 

Schedule a FREE site assessment and learn how we can update your facilities for only a penny per dispenser!

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UMass Memorial Health Dr. Michael Hirsh said, “Cloth masks and … bandanas and homemade bandanas around their face are not effective against omicron. That is clear.” Information gathered from John Hopkins Medicine.           

Don’t rely on a fabric mask alone anymore; they’re good at protecting others from your respiratory droplets, but not at protecting you against theirs, even with a filter pocket. A bandana tied around the face does not work as well as a mask because it is open at the bottom. A gaiter (a tube of thin, stretchy knit fabric that can be worn around the neck and pulled up to cover the nose and mouth) is usually too thin to provide adequate protection. A fabric mask usually is not much protection either.

Face Coverings we Recommend

Blue Disposable masks are fluid resistant and provide some protection from larger respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. Primarily, they help prevent the wearer from spreading infectious droplets to others.
Shop for Blue Disposable Now

N95 respirator is the most protective face covering that you can get against omicron and other viruses. An N95 is a disposable face covering that filters out at least 95% of airborne particles. 

KN95 mask, which is the Chinese equivalent of the US standard. KN95s are made from the same material as N95s and are also designed to filter at least 95% of airborne particles. 
Shop for KN95 Now

KF94, the South Korean equivalent to an N95, which has a slightly different shape and 94% filtration efficacy.

Remember to Change Your Mask Often

Outside of a respiratory health crisis, any N95, KN95 or disposable surgical mask is meant to be worn only once. In most scenarios, healthcare professionals do not need to wear them for extended periods.

However, in other industries, workers routinely wear N95 respirators, KN95, or surgical masks for several hours at a time. Experience in these industries shows that disposable respirators can maintain their integrity for up to eight hours while functioning within their specifications. 

Whether you’re wearing an N95, a KN95 or a KF94, it won’t be completely effective unless the face mask fits your face properly. Make sure it fits snugly, without gaps around your nose, face and mouth.

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