FEATURE


The future of floorcare


Alastair Scott, Sales Director at Robert Scott, the UK’s largest manufacturer of cleaning equipment, discusses improvements in mopping technology.


The humble mop quite rightly has a central place in floorcare cleaning regimes.


Traditional mopping systems have many advantages. They present a versatile, convenient and easy-to-use solution for everyday cleaning, as they require only basic training for use and are a practical solution for quick response cleaning.


Technology in mopping has come on a long way since Robert Scott manufactured its first mops in 1964. From our very first models, which were handmade using butchers knives and hammers, Robert Scott has introduced many product developments in the years since.


The advent of cleaning technologies like microfibre has meant that mopping has continued to be a vital part of effective and hygienic floorcare. By presenting an antibacterial and reusable surface, microfibre mop pads delivered a brand new way of cleaning floors.


What's next in mop development?


One area where we expect to see a growth is robotics and, specifically, the use of these starting to support manual cleaning. This is already happening across the cleaning spectrum – take robotic vacuum cleaners as an example – so it’s an area we’re watching with interest.


In the meantime, the topic of sustainability remains firmly at the top of business agendas – both for cleaning businesses and their customers. New technologies in sustainable manufacturing mean that suppliers can deliver more eco-friendly mop heads, handles and systems. For example, most of Robert Scott’s mops are now made from 100% recycled fabric sourced from waste textiles that we manufacture into CHSA accredited mops in the North West of England.


We’ve also developed a patented Refill mop which makes use of a reusable plastic socket and clip, together with a replaceable mop refill. Users can recycle the fabric refill and reuse the plastic socket – simple, sustainable innovations that make sense.


Microfibre pads present another key environmental benefit. These require far less water to clean and can be pre- soaked in cleaning solution, reducing the requirement to change mop bucket water between areas to cut the risk of cross-contamination.


The near future is likely to see even more balance between automation and manual approaches. Machines can be used to great effect for large, flat areas, yet don’t make sense for


10 | TOMORROW'S CLEANING


smaller floors or stairways. Manual systems will always work well here, along with being the better solution for spot cleaning, quick response cleaning and specific one-off tasks.


Why mops are central to floorcare


Floorcare is an incredibly important part of good cleaning practice. An effective cleaning routine will include floorcare as a core part of its function, covering regular planned cleaning, deep cleaning and spot cleaning. There is a plentiful suite of options for fulfilling these needs, but mopping remains a staple.


Mopping offers a rapid response solution to spills and soiled floors. It’s an unobtrusive process that can be carried out while a building and floor area is in use, compared to floor buffers, sterilisers and other cleaning machines that may require a room to be closed off to complete the task.


Technology in floorcare has developed to offer antibacterial, quick drying, easy rinse mop heads, along with ergonomic handles and portable bucket solutions, all of which keep the mop at the centre of the floorcare model.


As customers seek greater environmental benefits and policies from their cleaning suppliers, solutions that are low impact to manufacture, easy to re-use and effective yet gentle are becoming increasingly popular, and the mop ticks all these boxes.


Traditional mopping systems will continue to offer the benefits that have made them so popular and such a central part of floorcare cleaning routines. A low-cost solution to a global problem, mops will always have a place in cleaning business’ floorcare approaches.


www.robert-scott.co.uk twitter.com/TomoCleaning


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22