22/09/2022 - Can microfibre spread dirt?

Can microfiber spread dirt?

Can microfiber cloths cause dirt to spread? An odd question perhaps. After all, microfiber cloths are cleaning cloths and their purpose is to clean surfaces, not to make them dirtier. But it is true. Microfiber cloths can indeed spread dirt. The microfiber cloth contaminates itself, so to speak, when the cloth is folded. This is clear from research conducted on our behalf.

In 2009, international research showed that cross-contamination occurred due to the folding of the microfiber cloth. However, only surgical covers were examined at that time, with just one type of microfiber cloth, and that is not representative of the surfaces to be cleaned within professional cleaning. The Technology Committee of the Cleaning Research Association, therefore, examined situations which are more similar to the practical situation.

Do microorganisms spread when applying the folding method? And does the type of microfibre cloth play a role in this?

The VSR study was conducted in a laboratory, on three different surfaces (plastic, metal, porcelain), with three different types of microfiber cloths (non-woven fine split, non-woven normal split, and knitted). The distribution of three types of microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus) was determined from each combination. In addition, the contact points on the researcher's hand, and the contamination of the cloth itself were examined.
The study consisted of three phases: the application of microorganisms to the first surface, the cleaning of the first soiled surface and the 15 consecutive sterile surfaces with the folded microfiber cloth (which had a ‘clean’ side 16 times due to folding) and the microbiological examination.

What were the results?

There was a substantial reduction of microorganisms by cleaning with damp microfiber cloths, but at the same time microorganisms were spread from a dirty surface to clean surfaces when the folding method was applied.
When cleaning a dirty surface with a knitted microfiber cloth, more microorganisms remained than when cleaning with non-woven cloths. However: when using the folded non-woven cloth with a normal split, more microorganisms were spread (than with a knitted one).
The type of surface appears to influence the spread of microorganisms. More microorganisms were found on porcelain than on plastics and metal surfaces.
The microfiber cloth itself was the main source of transmission. It is plausible that microorganisms move through the different layers in the folded cloth. Contamination via the hand seemed to have less of an impact.

Now, you might think that these are undesirable results. After all, you don’t want to spread dirt while carrying out a professional cleaning job with professional equipment. But in independent research, there is no desired outcome. It is what it is.

( http://www.europeancleaningjournal.com/ )