ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Mopping is an arduous task, so what can be done to lighten the cleaner’s load? ECJ looks at the latest mopping systems that are easier to push, lighter to transport and less of a strain to wring out.

MANUAL MOPPING CAN BE physically demanding. The weight of the equipment, the repetitive movements required to use it and the need for frequent bending and twisting can lead to fatigue, strain and reduced efficiency on the part of the cleaner. And this is particularly the case when cleaning large facilities or when carrying out the same task several times during a shift.

Repetitive actions such as bending and stretching, manual wringing and handling heavy or awkward equipment can lead to pains in the back, wrists and shoulders according to Cleanology’s managing director Juliet Widdicombe.

“It can also lead to muscular fatigue and longer-term musculoskeletal issues,” she said. “Other effects over time can include the risk of injury, absences due to sickness and a reduction in productivity.”

The scope of mopping is becoming increasingly limited due to the strain it places on operatives, she says. “While manual mopping can be effective in confined spaces and for spot cleaning, many large or high traffic areas can now be cleaned more safely, consistently and efficiently using mechanised methods,” said Widdicombe.

A cleaner’s life can be eased with the help of ergonomic equipment and modern systems that reduce physical strain, she says. “Lightweight tools, adjustable handles and flat mopping systems can all be helpful,” she said. “Mechanical alternatives and equipment that removes the need for bending, twisting and manual wringing can also reduce the strain.

“And clear processes, robust training and well designed products can all help to reduce fatigue, improve comfort and increase productivity.”

There is no denying the fact that mopping can be highly stressful in terms of effort, according to Kärcher’s product manager for manual tools Jennifer Majcher. “The repetitive physical strain of floor cleaning can cause acute aches and pains in the arms, back and shoulders of the operator – particularly when poorly designed or outdated equipment is used,” she said. “These musculoskeletal disorders can affect the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs.

Repetitive strain

“Carpal tunnel syndrome is also a frequent problem for manual cleaning operators because it can be caused by repetitive wrist rotation and the forceful twisting motions used in traditional wringing. And all these conditions will inevitably lead to an increase in the number of sickness days taken by the cleaners.”

However, she believes the industry is undergoing a significant transformation. “The misconception that manual cleaning is inherently outdated or unergonomic is being challenged by modern product design,” said Majcher. “Manual cleaning has evolved and today’s systems are engineered to eliminate these strains on the body through an intense focus on usability, efficiency and ergonomic handling.”

Customers need to be given information on how to choose the right mop and the right textile, she says. “A professional mop system should be exceptionally lightweight, clean effectively, be highly durable and glide smoothly over floors to lower resistance,” she explained. “By combining height-adjustable telescopic handles with touch-free, foot-operated logistics, the physical burden on the operator’s back, joints and wrists can be significantly eased.”

Kärcher’s Ergo system features a lightweight aluminium construction and an ‘S’-shaped frame joint to support a natural figure-of-eight mopping motion. This is said to reduce repetitive wrist movements and body strain. The Flex mop holder has a hands-free attachment that allows mops with flaps to be locked into place with the foot.

Any manual task has the potential to become physically demanding if the equipment has not been designed with the user in mind, says Robert Scott’s marketing manager James Brisbane.

“Traditional mopping systems often required heavy buckets, manual wringing, repeated bending and awkward wrist movement,” he said. “And wet mops become significantly heavier during use, while transporting water between cleaning areas can place an additional strain on the body.”

Modern mopping systems have been developed specifically to reduce these issues, he claims. “Lightweight materials, improved wringing mechanisms, ergonomic handles and more absorbent, efficient mop heads and microfibre mops all help to reduce the physical effort required while also improving cleaning performance,” he says.

When a cleaning task becomes more comfortable it improves productivity as well as boosting the employee’s wellbeing, according to Brisbane. ”It also reduces fatigue during shifts and helps organisations to support staff retention,” he says.

Minimise bending

Features such as ergonomic handles, lightweight materials, efficient wringers, colour-coded systems and high-performance microfibre mops all help to reduce effort and increase cleaning efficiency, he adds. “Flat mopping systems can also minimise bending and make it easier to clean under furniture and around obstacles,” said Brisbane.

Training also plays an important role. “Using the correct technique, selecting the right mop for the application in hand and maintaining equipment properly can all improve results and user comfort,” he said. ”Ultimately the aim should be to help operatives clean larger areas more effectively while reducing the level of unnecessary physical effort.”

Robert Scott offers a range of traditional yarn, microfibre and flat mopping systems that incorporate lightweight aluminium handles, ergonomic grip options, efficient wringing systems and absorbent yarns said to require less effort to achieve good results. The company’s colour-coded products also help to support hygiene compliance and reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

Export sales manager of TTS Alessandro Costantini agrees that manual mopping can be extremely arduous. “The main difficulties arise from the physical effort required by repetitive wringing operations, transporting heavy buckets filled with water or pre-soaked mops and the constant bending required by the operator to pick up dirty mops from the floor after removing them,” he said.

The prolonged use of inadequate equipment and maintaining incorrect postures can lead to musculoskeletal disorders while the constant bending can cause back pain or injury, he says. And using a traditional wringer requires significant physical strength, increasing the risk of muscle pain and fatigue related to repetitive and stressful movements.

Ergonomic equipment and ‘touch-free’ systems that reduce physical strain and eliminate the need for unnatural movements can simplify the cleaner’s life, said Costantini. “Operators should be equipped with tools that avoid the need for lifting and transporting heavy loads and that automate or facilitate critical phases such as mop-detachment and wringing,” he adds. “This will allow them to maintain a correct posture while they work.”

The TTS Ray tank handle is said to remove the strain of filling, lifting and carrying heavy buckets while the company’s Wiz wringer significantly reduces operator effort, according to Costantini. The company also offers the Pockety and Uni touch-free mop disposal systems that remove the need for the operator to bend to pick up dirty mops.

Filmop’s business development manager Paolo Scapinello describes traditional manual mopping as a highly strenuous task. “Difficulties mainly stem from the use of heavy and outdated equipment 
such as cotton Kentucky mops that become very heavy when soaked with water, combined with buckets that can exceed 25 litres in capacity,” he said. “Added to this are the repetitive actions required plus the need to forcefully and continuously wring out the mop and the constant bending that forces the operator into incorrect and unnatural postures.”

The prolonged use of non-ergonomic equipment and the adoption of poor postures are the main risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders and diseases, he says. “Over time, extreme wrist flexion and extension movements along with the overloading of the shoulders and lower back result in chronic fatigue, muscular syndromes and frequent injuries,” he said. “This is as a primary cause of absenteeism which has a heavy impact both on the worker’s health and on the company’s costs.”

To ease the daily workload it is essential to replace traditional systems with lightweight solutions designed to strict ergonomic principles, says Scapinello. “This means abandoning heavy water buckets and old mops in favour of high-gliding microfibre flat systems,” he said. “Furthermore, it is crucial to eliminate strenuous manual wringing operations by introducing advanced methods that bypass the traditional bucket and press, such as pre-soaking systems or controlled on-demand dosing directly on site.”

Filmop’s ErgoSwing system consists of a telescopic handle with turning grips combined with an ergonomic joint designed to support a natural S-shaped motion. This is said to significantly reduce wrist flexion and extension movements compared with traditional systems while maintaining the correct posture of the back. The company’s Globo touch-free mopping system allows the operator to attach and release the mop from an upright position without the need for continuous bending.
So does manual mopping - with all its stresses and strains - have a future? And if so, what other elements can be incorporated to make the task easier?

Hybrid future

The future of professional cleaning will involve a hybrid strategy that combines the best of both worlds, says Kärcher’s Jennifer Majcher. “An ideal approach is a combined solution such as a cleaning trolley equipped with both a compact machine and a manual mopping system to ensure full readiness for every possible application,” she said.

Machines are likely to take on a greater share of routine floor cleaning in the long term, says Cleanology’s Juliet Widdicombe. “Manual mopping will not disappear entirely, but it will remain as a complementary solution where machinery is not practical,” she said.

Manual mopping is essential for prompt interventions in sensitive areas, restricted spaces, heavily furnished areas and hard-to-reach corners, says Filmop’s Paolo Scapinello.  “The challenge for the future is to transform equipment into genuine compact, ergonomic and eco-sustainable workstations,” he said. “Innovation will increasingly move towards reducing the physical effort required.”

Manual mopping will maintain a vital role for cleaning walls, glass, ceilings, toilet fittings and kitchens, says TTS’s Alessandro Costantini. “Future refinements will increasingly focus on reducing weight, improving versatility and enhancing ergonomics,” he said.

And Robert Scott’s James Brisbane agrees that mopping will continue to play an essential role in cleaning for the foreseeable future. “Machines and robotic cleaning equipment have transformed floorcare in many larger facilities but they are designed to complement - not replace - manual cleaning,” he said. “We expect to see continued development in creating mops from lighter, stronger materials and with more ergonomic designs and improved microfibre technology, The future of manual mopping is all about working smarter rather than harder.”