Pocket Mops And Other Velcro Alternatives

If properly laundering doesn’t solve the problem of dirty, bacteria-harboring Velcro on mopping systems, it might be worth considering other options.

One popular alternative to the Velcro-backed mop is the no-touch microfiber pocket mop system, in which the mop hardware slips into two pockets on the back of the mop pad and then snaps securely in place.

This pocket mop system also allows for hands-free wringing of the pad by simply stepping on a lever on the mop’s frame. The two sides will fold downward and the pad can be wrung out like a traditional mop.

“The pocket mop has been out there awhile — that’s a change from Velcro, and you don’t have to worry about replacing Velcro strips,” says Hemann.

After wringing out the mop, the janitor simply has to press the frame to the floor until it locks back in place.

Similarly, there are other flat mop systems with fabric tabs on the back of the mop pad that clip to the mop frame.

“The benefit is that they can be used with a traditional bucket and wringer,” says Bill Bouras, senior director of sales, Nexstep Commercial Products (Exclusive Licensee of O’Cedar), Paxton, Illinois.

When needed, a janitor can collapse the mop frame with the mop pad still attached via the tabs. This allows the mop pad to hang down so it can be submerged in a traditional mop bucket and wrung out in a traditional mop wringer.

No-touch systems such as the pocket mop system and tab system decrease the transfer of pathogens from the microfiber pads to the operator’s gloves or hands, since they can easily release the clips and drop the soiled pad into a laundry bag on the cleaning cart, says Bouras.

Another alternative for facilities that want to move away from a Velcro mop system is to switch to a conventionally sewn microfiber mop system. The most efficient system prior to Velcro mop systems was traditional string mop system with a mop bucket and wringer.

“Even if you take away the Velcro mop system, you are still going to use microfiber materials to make the products, because microfiber still offers the most benefits,” says Julo.“This is already a popular alternative for many facilities and the reason we manufacturer dust mops and wet mops made with microfiber materials but sewn in a traditional style mop construction and utilizing traditional style mop hardware.”

A final option as an alternative to Velcro-backed mops are disposable microfiber mops. These mop pads are designed for superior cleaning power, but are so inexpensive that they can be tossed in the garbage after one use. Disposable microfiber mop pads are durable enough to be laundered six to 12 times, but can be thrown out when users don’t want to risk cross-contaminating areas or after they have applied a floor finish. Disposable flat mop pads are also useful when cleaning areas contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids in emergency and operating rooms.

“[This] becomes a big deal when facilities aren’t set up for laundry, or they don’t have room to launder mop pads, or don’t want to add to existing laundry,” says Hemann. “The disposable pad is designed for single-room use, is extremely convenient and ensures zero cross-contamination.”

Despite the rise of these Velcro flat mop alternatives, mop manufacturers say that Velcro mops still have a place in the cleaning industry.

For one, many of these alternatives to Velcro flat mop systems are simply the result of a saturated mop manufacturing market in which vendors are looking to innovate, says Julo. Secondly, many of the problems with Velcro can be avoided by simply properly laundering the mops in house, he adds.

“I think at this point,” says Julo, “it would be a fallacy to say that Velcro mops have a specific problem and there needs to a wholesale market change to something else.”

Nick Bragg is a freelance writer based in Milwaukee. He is a former Deputy Editor of Sanitary Maintenance.