Long-term study on mop covers

In everyday use, mop covers are subject to severe strain caused by dirt, chemicals and disinfectants. As mop covers are removed and washed after a brief period of use (after each room) in hospitals, the washing process is crucial to the wear of the mop covers.

The performance characteristics of a mop cover depend on its fiber composition and weight. From a weight loss of >30%, the cover usually has to be replaced to ensure a sufficient area performance per mop cover. When using conventional disinfectant detergents, this means that the mop covers may have to be replaced after approximately 300-400 usage cycles.

Initial situation

Vileda Professional, leading developer and manufacturer of innovative cleaning products, always seek to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their product and therefore also the satisfaction of their customers. In international comparison, Vileda have found that the usage period of the mop covers in Belgium and in the Netherlands is often significantly higher than in Germany. When investigating the cause of this, it turned out that the majority of the mop covers in these countries was washed with Kreussler disinfectant detergents using the corresponding procedure. To determine whether the positive results were only a coincidence, Vileda conducted a long-term practical test in cooperation with the Juliusspital in Würzburg and Kreussler.

Practical test

Starting in June 2004, the Juliusspital conducted the test for the reconditioning of the mop covers. For this test, the Vileda Professional Swep Classic Finnmop (fringes: 50% viscose / 50% polyester) was used. One half of the covers used was reconditioned with Kreussler products after each usage cycle, the other half with products from another manufacturer. In both cases, reconditioning was performed as specified by the manufacturer’s instructions using disinfecting washing procedures according to the guidelines laid down by the RKI listing.

Throughout the test period of almost 2 years, mop cover samples were taken for examination at regular intervals and checked for usability, weight loss, water absorption capacity, appearance and hygienic safety in the Vileda laboratories.

Test result

After 380 usage and washing cycles, the mop covers reconditioned with the products of another manufacturer had reached a weight loss of approximately 30%. As this is the limit for the usability, they had to be replaced. The mop covers reconditioned with Kreussler products had a weight loss of merely 17% after 380 cycles. After almost 2 years and more than 620 reconditioning cycles, this test was completed. The mop covers reconditioned with Kreussler products had a weight loss of merely 24% and therefore still complied with the requirements for the usability.

This comparison, conducted under practical conditions, confirmed the benefits of the Kreussler procedure for Vileda S mops.
The Kreussler DERVAL SOLO and OTTALIN PERACET used in this test were applied in accordance with the RKI listing specifications (disinfection at 60°C using the chemothermal washing procedure).

Kreussler washing procedure – OTTALIN PERACET procedure:
1. bath: 5 minutes, 40 °C, rinsing without auxiliaries
2. bath: 12 minutes, 60 °C, 2 ml/l DERVAL SOLO and 2 ml/l OTTALIN PERACET
3. rinsing baths

For coloured mop covers, Kreussler recommend the use of the coloured detergent DERVAL RENT in combination with OTTALIN PERACET – listed according to VAH / DGHM.

In addition to the increase of the service life, lower application quantities, the shortest procedure duration according to the RKI list at 60 °C and low production costs are crucial factors that confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of the Kreussler washing procedure. The practical test also shows that disinfection and long service life of mop covers do not contradict each other when Kreussler washing procedures are used.