Green cleaning w/microfiber

[Larry Rickman]

Many folks I talk to say they just don't think green cleaning products are as effective as regular cleaning products. To that I say; in the old days that may have been the case. In today's environment many of the green cleaning products are even better than traditional cleaners.

As a "Green" cleaning business owner we have tried numerous products some have been better than others but one thing has remained the same; Microfiber cleaning clothes are part of the answer. The higher quality micro-fiber can be washed up to 500 times...how many paper towels do you think that is? How much waste would be in landfills? A quality microfiber towel can be rinsed out and used over and over during a job. The obvious goal is to reduce the amount of consumed product during the cleaning process. There are various types, qualities, and uses;

1. Heavy-duty microfiber cloths. Used for heavy-duty cleaning to remove deep soil and oils.
2. Medium grade microfibers. Used for dusting and medium-duty tasks like wiping countertops and sinks.
3. Microfiber cloths that have a suede-like texture are used for glass, mirrors and polished surfaces. These cloths are usually much thinner than the heavy-duty or medium grade cloths, and are more tightly woven.

When shopping for microfiber cloths, visit your local janitorial supplier, as they're more likely to carry high-quality microfiber cloths. Be cautious when buying from your local grocery store or “big box” store, as they tend to use lower grade fibers and fillers.

You can usually tell a good quality microfiber cloth by doing a couple tests. First, run the cloth across your hand. Does it seem to “catch”? This is caused by the dense fibers and indicates quality microfiber. Next, put a small dab of hand lotion on a mirror. Then wipe your cloth to see how many passes it takes to remove the lotion. A good quality microfiber cloth will remove the lotion in only one or two passes.

You can buy a good microfiber towel from a janitorial supply house for less than $2. Consider this; roll of paper towels lasts for 3-7 days and costs $1. In only two weeks you have a return on your investment and you can keep using it everyday for two years.