Mop buckets are a basic but critical tool – a frontline necessity for floor care maintenance. Unfortunately, mop bucket purchasing decisions are often made solely on price rather than an evaluation of floor maintenance applications and thoughtful consideration of the facility environment. Commercial buildings have different floor-care needs than health care facilities or restaurants, based on frequency of cleaning and types of soiling contaminants.  

The right mop buckets have the potential to bring numerous benefits to your facility. Cleaning and maintenance professionals understand the need to minimize contamination of cleaning solutions and tools, as cross-contaminated surfaces can spread pathogens and increase conditions that lead to slips and falls, which causenearly 700 fatalities per year. Fortunately, carefully selected mop buckets can help your operation limit cross-contamination and reduce the chances of pathogen spread or physical injuries. In addition, choosing the right mop buckets can save water and support a green cleaning program.

Mop Bucket Features

Consider the following features of mop buckets when deciding which buckets will meet your facility’s floor-care needs:

  • Cavity. Depending on facility type and size, either a single-cavity or dual-cavity mop bucket may be the best fit. Single-cavity options are often more economical and work best in smaller spaces with less soil accumulation. Dual-cavity buckets separate clean and dirty water and allow a soiled mop to be squeezed thoroughly before entering clean solution again. This ensures that a clean mop head makes contact with the floor. Dual-cavity buckets are optimal for spaces with heavy soil loads, such as commercial kitchens or public restrooms, where avoiding re-depositing soils on the floor is critical for cleanliness and avoiding slip, trip and fall accidents.
  • Wringer.To effectively squeeze your mops dry, your operations needs durable wringers, whether they are side-press or down-press. When considering side-press wringers, make sure they are versatile and accommodate mops of all sizes, as some employees use larger or heavier mops than others. With down press wringers, cleaning professionals can squeeze out water by applying more force with less physical strain, which can help protect workers from fatigue or injury. But keep in mind that low quality wringers can break easily after repeated use, so finding those made from durable materials is key – nylon paddles for down press wringers and heavy duty, steel components for side press wringers support longer life for each wringer than cheaper materials do.
  • Color coding. Separating cleaning tools by zone reduces the possibility of bacterial and chemical cross-contamination between surfaces and supports food, customer and workplace safety. Color-coding equipment for different spaces and surfaces helps avoid potentially dangerous situations such as using a bathroom mop in a kitchen and exposing food and food workers to norovirus or other common pathogens.
  • Wheels. Similar to wringers, the quality of materials and manufacturing behind your mop buckets’ wheels are important factors. High-quality wheels that don’t stick in place and have a smooth 360-degree range of motion make it easier for your employees to move around as they keep floors clean. However, cheaply constructed wheels can hinder mopping efficiency by sticking between tiles or on thresholds, or even marking up your facility’s floors.

Benefits of The Right Mop Buckets

A combination of a dual-cavity bucket, down press wringer and color coding can help improve cleanliness, sustainability and safety in your facility. Selecting mop buckets with these features can help provide the following benefits:

  • Decreased cross-contamination.Common “solutions” for cross-contamination such as placing soiled mops in plastic bags can be cumbersome and wasteful. Dual-cavity mop buckets with effective wringers minimize the number of microorganisms passed to each subsequent surface, improving floor cleaning results. Additionally, using color-coded equipment for different purposes avoids spreading pathogens like norovirus and salmonella from bathrooms to kitchens where it could infect staff and guests.
  • Reduced water waste. Separating clean and dirty water with a dual-cavity bucket helps minimize water usage and significantly limits the frequency that staff need to replace the cleaning solution, minimizing chemical use as well. In the United States, as many as half of all freshwater basins are in trouble and Americans could face serious water shortages in the next 50 years at the current usage rate. To help conserve the world’s water supply, facilities can take simple steps such as selecting equipment with the potential to help reduce water waste.
  • Enhanced safety. Just as the reduced redepositing of soils onto floors decreases cross-contamination and water waste, it also limits slippery walkway conditions from oversaturated floors that can lead to slips and falls. Color-coding equipment further minimizes the cross-contamination that can contribute to unsafe floor conditions and the spread of germs. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) also certifies dual-cavity bucketsfor reducing walkway conditions for slips and falls. Choosing the right wheels, wringers and handles for your mop buckets can create a more ergonomic workplace, minimizing roadblocks to a safe floor-cleaning program.
  • Improved Image. The right mop buckets contribute to maintaining clean floors, which demonstrate a facility’s commitment to overall cleanliness and leave a positive impression on guests. With the right cleaning equipment, facilities can avoid negative online reviews that can impact sales and reputation.

Safe and Sustainable Cleaning

Protecting occupant health and safety is paramount for any cleaning program, and selecting the right mop buckets can help facilities safeguard occupant wellbeing and reduce the risk of injury. Plus, organizations are increasingly adopting green initiatives to reduce facility waste and meet customer demand for corporate sustainability. With mop buckets that enhance occupant well-being and help save water, you can ensure employees and guests that safety and sustainability both top priorities.

Learn more about high quality mop buckets at www.abcoproducts.com or contact us at (888) 694-2226 today.