Microbiologic evaluation of microfiber mops for surface disinfection.
BACKGROUND
Recently, health care facilities have started to use a microfiber mopping technique rather than a conventional, cotton string mop to clean floors.


METHODS
The effectiveness of microfiber mops to reduce microbial levels on floors was investigated. We compared the efficacy of microfiber mops with that of conventional, cotton string mops in 3 test conditions (cotton mop and standard wringer bucket, microfiber mop and standard wringer bucket, microfiber system). Twenty-four rooms were evaluated for each test condition. RODAC plates containing D/E Neutralizing Agar were used to assess "precleaning" and "postcleaning" microbial levels.


RESULTS
The microfiber system demonstrated superior microbial removal compared with cotton string mops when used with a detergent cleaner (95% vs 68%, respectively). The use of a disinfectant did not improve the microbial elimination demonstrated by the microfiber system (95% vs 95%, respectively). However, use of disinfectant did significantly improve microbial removal when a cotton string mop was used (95% vs 68%, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The microfiber system demonstrated superior microbial removal compared with cotton string mops when used with a detergent cleaner. The use of a disinfectant did not improve the microbial elimination demonstrated by the microfiber system.
Rutala
William A
WA
Department of Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7030, USA. brutala@unch.unc.edu
Gergen
Maria F
MF
Weber
David J
DJ
D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003902:Detergents; D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
D003902:Detergents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds