potentially deadly — and keeping them off surfaces is of grave importance. A solution that has been implemented in many JanSan applications to counter microbial threats is antimicrobial coatings. These coatings, which inhibit the growth of germs, can be found on everything from soap and chemical dispensers, mop and broom handles and countertops to toilet seats, rest-room partitions and floors and walls. According to Mike Kramer, president of International Coatings Inc., commercial and institutional applications demand low-maintenance equipment with resistance to mold and other unwanted bacterial growth. “By supplying the JanSan market with such products, we are also able to offer homeowners alternatives to traditional products that are more susceptible to con-tamination and require more maintenance. The drive for these products in commercial settings is directly applicable to residential use,” notes Kramer. onates well with homeowners and renters. Adopting microfiber alternatives to dated and obsolete products is one way custodi-ans, janitors, maintenance professionals and consumers are reducing their carbon footprints. Prove It There are a plethora of innovative JanSan offerings that have proven useful in other markets and industries after having been tested, honed and mastered by those tasked with cleaning and maintaining the built environment. It is unclear which breakthrough tech-nologies will cross the commercial-residen-tial boundary next, but we can be sure the trend will continue as the "more, better, faster" mentality drives innovation in all segments of manufacturing. CM Microfiber Microfiber is a synthetic blend of polyester and polyimide whose individual fibers are roughly 1/16 the width of a human hair but are able to hold more than six times their weight in liquid. The polyester in microfiber provides scrubbing power and the polyimide sup-plies the incredible absorption power. Because of its launderability — most microfiber cloths and mops can be washed and reused hundreds of times — many have swapped their conventional cotton cloths and mops for sustainable microfiber alternatives. “Microfiber, due to the great job it does and its ease of use, is growing in popularity,” pro-claims Kathy Ledford, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Microfiber Products Ltd. “Costs have gone down from 10 years ago, when it started getting popular, and now is very affordable. Using microfiber is more cost and time effective than ever before with the added bonus of doing a bet-ter job than conventional methods.” Aside from its widespread use in com-mercial cleaning, microfiber cloths, mops and other products are increasingly finding homes in the residential market. Just as it does in the JanSan industry, sustainability, as a holistic concept, res-Circle Product Information no. 212 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 19
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