We wash the mops. Long...

Mop heads – Is it possible to combine disinfection and long service life?
Modern mop heads require proper selection of the washing method.

Cleaning of rooms and floor cleaning in hospitals must comply with the requirements of sanitary rules, norms and hygiene standards. The perfectly hygienic process of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces ensures cleanliness and protects against infections, thereby preventing the spread of dangerous bacteria. Therefore, cleaning supplies (such as mops) must be thermally, chemically, or chemically cleaned and disinfected. The cleaning and disinfection products and methods used in Germany require approval by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

During daily use, the mops are aggressively exposed to pollutants, reagents, and disinfectants. Since in hospitals the nozzles are removed from the mops and washed after a short period of use (after cleaning each room), the washing method largely determines the rate of their wear.
The performance characteristics of the mop heads depend on the composition of the fibers and their weight. If there is a weight loss of more than 30%, the nozzle is usually replaced to ensure that the working surface area of the individual nozzle is sufficient. When using traditional disinfectants, this means that replacement of the mop heads may be required after approximately 300-400 application cycles.

The initial situation
Vileda Professional, a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative cleaning products, is constantly working to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its products and, consequently, to meet the needs of its customers. In the course of an international comparative study, Vileda found out that the period of operation of mop heads in Belgium and the Netherlands is often significantly longer than in Germany. A study of the causes of this phenomenon has shown that most of the mop heads in these countries are cleaned with Kreussler disinfectants using the appropriate cleaning method. To check whether the positive results are just a coincidence, Vileda conducted long-term practical research in collaboration with Juliusspital in Würzburg and Kreussler.
Practical research
Since June 2004, Juliusspital has been conducting research on the restoration of mop heads. For this purpose, the classic Vileda Professional SWEP FinnMop nozzles were selected (pile: 50% viscose/ 50% polyester). Kreussler products were used to wash one half of the used nozzles after each application cycle, and products from another manufacturer were used for the other half. In both cases, cleaning was carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions using disinfection washing methods according to the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).
During the almost two-year study period, the nozzles were regularly sampled and tested in Vileda laboratories for serviceability, weight loss, hygroscopicity, appearance and hygienic safety.
Research results
After 380 cycles of application and washing, the nozzles cleaned with products from another manufacturer achieved approximately 30% weight loss. Since this is the limit, they had to be replaced. The nozzles cleaned by Kreussler products lost only 17% in weight after 380 cycles. The study was completed after almost 2 years and more than 620 recovery cycles. The weight loss of the nozzles cleaned with Kreussler products was only 24% and therefore still met the requirements of operational suitability.

This comparative study, conducted under practical conditions, confirmed the advantages of the Kreussler cleaning technique using Vileda S mops as an example.
The Kreussler DERVAL and OTTALIN PERACET products used in this study were applied in accordance with RKI specifications (disinfection at 60 °C by chemical-thermal washing method).

Kreussler – OTTALIN PERACET washing procedure:
1st bath: 5 minutes, 40 °C, rinse without auxiliary means
2nd bath: 12 minutes, 60 °C, washing booster DERVAL and OTTALIN PERACET
3rd bath — rinse

For colored nozzles, Kreussler recommends using a special detergent DERVAL POWER C in combination with OTTALIN PERACET, which has a VAH/DGHM certificate.

In addition to increasing the service life, important factors confirming the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Kreussler washing procedure are lower consumption of the product, the minimum duration of the washing process in accordance with RKI recommendations at 60 ° C and low cost.
Practical research has also shown that When using Kreussler washing methods, disinfection and the long service life of the mop heads do not exclude each other..

The main advantages of delicate cleaning using the example of high-strength Vileda mop heads using the Kreussler method:
• Efficiency due to the low consumption of the product and the short duration of the processing process.
• High profitability due to the use of economical detergents and disinfectants.
• Additional savings on the purchase of mops.
• Approved by RKI as a method of chemical-thermal disinfection of type A (bacteria) and B (viruses).
• Compliance with the European standards DIN EN 1276 (bactericidal agents), DIN EN 1275 (fungicides) and DIN EN 14476 (antiviral agents).