The useful life of cleaning tools and supplies (excluding solutions and cleansers) depends on:

• The quality and design of the products being used
• How the products are used
• How well the tools are maintained

Use the following tips to extend the life of your equipment.

Floor pads

Floor pads come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are made from materials that are designed to do specific jobs. Here’s how to extend the life of your floor pads:

• Carefully install the pad onto your rotary floor machine so it is centered. A floor pad that is not centered will wear unevenly and will create a safety hazard, since the machine will be more difficult to control
• Do not bump into objects with the machine. If a rotating pad hits furniture or other objects, the pad can tear or snag, and objects can be damaged
• Since floor pads are made of various material types, using the correct cleaning method for each type is important.
• Clean these quality pads using their own die-cut center, or a medium bristle brush, to scrape away accumulated dirt.

Polyester pads

There are three methods for cleaning these pads:

• Soak them in Perfecto Stripping Solution until the accumulated dirt is loosened, then rinse with a water hose
• Wash them under high-pressure water
• Launder them in lukewarm water
• Hang the pads in a storage area to dry after they have been cleaned

Mops

Most synthetic mop heads are coated with a chemical preservative which makes them less absorbent. Also, new cotton mop heads do not absorb as well as they does after some use, since their fibbers are still coated with natural oils. Before using new mop heads, wash them in Pronto All Purpose Cleaner and warm water to remove these coatings. Mop heads are made of cotton, rayon, and blends of materials. Cotton mop heads are satisfactory for most floor care procedures except finishing/ waxing. Rayon mop heads leave little lint, so are better to use for this procedure. Since cotton mop heads hold water best, use them for drying floors.

Always use a clean mop head when scrubbing, sealing, or applying a finish. Use old mopheads for applying stripping solutions.

Do's and Don'ts for Mop heads

Do

• Clean (rinse well or launder) mop heads after each use
• Hang mop heads to air-dry after each use
• Launder mop heads in a synthetic mesh laundry bag
• Wash mop heads in a disinfectant solution
• Have a mop head for each procedure (scrubbing, stripping and waxing)

Don't

• leave mop heads in chemicals or cleaning solutions even for a short time
• twist mop heads in wringers since this weakens the fibbers
• bleach mop heads, or use them in a solution with bleach
• wash mop heads in water over 160o F, or dry in temperatures above 160o F

Buckets

Buckets should be checked before and after each use for cleanliness. Even a slightly dirty bucket will contaminate fresh water and cleaning solutions. When preparing to apply a sealer or floor finish, first line your mopbucket with a plastic trash bag, then pour your sealer or finish into the lined bucket. After completing the job, take the plastic bag with the remaining solution out of the bucket and dispose of properly. When a job is completed and the buckets have been cleaned, put them in your storage area upside-down. Be sure to put the buckets where people will not trip over them. Wringers should be rinsed thoroughly and wiped dry.