CLEANING EQUIPMENTS

1. MOPSMops are cleaning implements made of absorbent material fastened to a handle and used especially for cleaning floors. Usually in hotels we use mop wringer trolleys. These are mobile equipments which have double buckets; one for clean water and the other for soiled water. There is a wringer also attached which enables to squeeze out excess water.

2. BRUSHESThere are three types of brushes- soft, hard and scrubbing brush. Hard brushes are stiff, have well spaced bristles and are used for removing litter. Soft brushes are flexible with close set bristles; used for removing loose soil and litter. Scrubbing brush is short, hard with well-spaced bristles; used for removing heavy soil in small areas.

Method of use:Hand scrubbing is done in a circular motion. The area is then rinsed with plain water and dried.

3. LADDERSA ladder is a structure for climbing up or down that consists essentially of two long sidepieces joined at intervals by crosspieces on which one may step to climb up.

General Requirements: Ladders should not be painted as they hide defects. They should be inspected regularly else it may cause an accident. Unsatisfactory ladders should be replaced immediately. Aluminium ladders should be fitted with non-slip blocks. Single ladders should always be placed at 75o angle to horizontal surface. Ladders are to be placed on flat base. Aluminium ladders should not be used near electric cables. Landings should be provided every 9.14 m Warning notices should be placed while using ladders.

4. SWEEPER

Self/ manually propelled machines to remove debris etc. Works on the same principle as vacuum cleaners (explained later)

Selection criteria: Depends on power source Work performance Turning radius or width of machine in relation to area

5. SQUEEZEE Used for removal of water from even surface. Consists of a rubber strip fixed to a metal holder with a stock handle. Types: depending on the actual use, the size of the blade varies.

Method of use: Use straight strokes over the surface. Blade should always be in contact with the surface area.

Care of equipment Blades should be washed, rinsed and dried after use.

6. CLOTHS/ DUSTERS Coarse cotton should be used for floor cleaning. Chamois leather can be used for glass surfaces and polishing. Rags/discards can be used as dusters. Dusters of soft, absorbent cotton or flannel. Dustsheets are made of thin cotton sheets to cover furniture.

7. SUCTION CLEANERSSuction or vacuum cleaner is an electrical appliance commonly used for cleaning furniture, floors, rugs, and carpets by suction. Generally, vacuum cleaners are of two types: the vertical type, which is light and moves over the surfaces to be cleaned, and the canister, or tank type, which trails a long hose with a nozzle that can be moved over the area to be cleaned.

Most vacuum cleaners have a variety of attachments that can be used to clean different types of surfaces, such as window ledges and thick rugs and carpets; some are also equipped to polish floors and shampoo rugs. A reversible motor on many appliances is used to blow dirt out of difficult and inaccessible surfaces and also to spray paint.

Canisters Is a light duty dry and wet suction cleaning equipment. A cloth filter is situated between the sac and the motor. A filter is located at the outlet port and between the motor and the sac. Air entering the machine circles the wall of the container before passing through

the filter. Dry soil and water are thus collected at the bottom.

Different filters are used for dry and wet work. In wet pick up, a float valve is fitted between the container and the motor.

Back Vacs Are used for vacuuming high walls, fixtures and fittings.

Accessories available with suction cleaners: Tools for crevices, upholstery, carpet etc. is available. There are lightweight hoses, extension tubes and angle bends. Sometimes it may have a squeezee for removal of water.

Principle: A motor enables suction of air from inlet. There is a difference in air pressure within and outside the machine. At the time of suction, air, soil, water etc. get picked up. This air flows into the air bag/sac away from the motor. Filters are used to protect the motor.

Selection criteria: Suction power – is an indication of potential work performance. High suction

power is required for heavy soil and or better rate of cleaning. Method of soil collection affects the suction power.

Difference in air pressure both surrounding air and nozzle inlet. Air pressure is expressed in mm of water lift (ie) height of water column the air pressure can support.

Airflow – volume of air, which will pass through the machine in unit time. It is expressed in litres/second.

Length and width of hosepipes, leakages on way etc. affect suction power. Degree of filtration. Air velocity – speed at which air is sucked over from surface into a nozzle.

Depends on suction power and size of nozzle. Noise level – maximum 60-70 decibels allowed. Container capacity – also affects suction power. Portability – machines weighing less than 10kgs are ideal.

Methods of use: Before wet pick up the float valve should be checked. 2-3 strokes per section of the area to be cleaned. Blades should always be in contact with surface.

Care of equipment Machine to be emptied regularly. Empty bags after each use. Remove all tools and accessories after use. After a wet pick up, the tank should be cleaned and dried. The vacuum cleaner should never be pulled by the hose. Filters should be changed regularly.

8. SPRAY EXTRACTION MACHINE

Principle

Works on high-pressure steam cleaning solutions. Soil removal takes place in three ways. Cleaning solution has a detergent. A fine jet of solution is sprayed that causes

mutual scrubbing of fibres. The force of solutions dislodges soil from the fibres. The revolving brush scrubs the fibres.

Machinery

Consists of a solution tank to hold cleaning solution; a recovery tank to collect soiled solution; a pump to generate high pressure of solution and a suction unit to remove soiled solutions from surface.

Accessories contain hose, wheels, brushes and hand sprays.

Selection criteria

Cleaning solution pressure: determines the degree of penetration into the carpet piles

o Volume of water pumped in unit time determines this pressure.o 40 psi is generally considered minimum pressure.o 30-50 psi is considered ideal for upholstery.

Types of accessories: rotating brushes etc. for evenness of cleaning.o In a tufted carpet, a rotary brush can remove 60% of soil.o Height of tool is adjustable to carpet pile.

Suction power: for recovery of solutionso Recovery expressed as percentage of total amount of solution applied.

Volume of cleaning solution Width of working tool, soilage, speed Cost: work performance of 100m2/ hour is ideal Portability Solution/recovery tank capacity Cleaning temperature and agents Ease of use

Carpet Cleaning Requirement

Cleaning solution pressure should be 30-50 psi. High pressure, rotating jets or power brushes are desirable. Suction power should be adequate to recover 80-90% cleaning solution. Vacuum of 2,000mm of water and airflow of 40-50 ltr/sec is required. Height adjustment of brush/tool with carpet pile is necessary.

Upholstery Cleaning Requirement

Fabric and furniture stuffing should not be over wetted.

Low volume of cleaning solutions per unit area should be sprayed. Cleaning solution pressure should be 30-50 psi at surface. Solvent extraction machines are suitable.

Curtain Cleaning Requirement

Rapid drying time is essential. Solvent recovery extraction machines are suitable. Tools like pleat tools enable easy cleaning process.

Methods of use: Forward and backward motion. Just before completing a pass, application of solution should be stopped to enable

suction cleaning. Avoid over wetting. Reduce drying time.

9. HIGH PRESSURE WASHER

Removal of soil by high-pressure water/steam.

Principle:

High-pressure water easily dislodges soil. There are two types- Mobile washers and in-place washers.

Equipment:

Made up of a tank, a cleaning agent reservoir, a pump and a heater. Lances of different nozzles are used to vary- pressure.

Selection criteria: Temperature should be preferably less than 60oC which enables easy removal of

protein based stains. Steam also serves the purpose for disinfections. Water quantity: for effective cleaning 750-1,200 ltr/hour water pressure is ideal. Cleaning agents: neutral, bactericidal detergents can be used. Pressure: depends on nozzle pressure, spray angle and distance from the surface. Ideal working distance 10-30 cms from surface.

Applications or use of high pressure washers:

Cleaning walls Cleaning hard surfaces Swimming pool cleaning and disinfections

SELECTION OF EQUIPMENTSBefore selecting any equipment the following factors should be considered:

Analysis of cleaning requirements should be done Type and characteristics of equipment required Evaluation of equipment available

Selection Purchasing

Analysis of cleaning requirement

While analysing the cleaning requirement, one has to consider the: Physical characteristics of the building Activities that are carried out within the building Requirement of actual cleaning and maintenance ie. the methods, frequency etc. Labour – number of skilled labour available in the area Cost implications

Type of equipment

The equipment required should be analysed for: Safety Ease of operation Equipment cleaning and maintenance Size and portability Durability Noise Power source Work performance

Evaluation of equipment

Before one can make a final selection, always Compare and analyse the cost factors for the equipments Ask the supplier/manufacturer to do a demonstration and ask staff to work the

equipment Consider the after sales services and repair facilities Reputation of the company/dealer/manufacturer should be credible.