Brushes provide the agitation needed to help cleaning solutions work to their fullest potential. The fibers used in our brushes have been carefully selected so that they produce the optimum results with each use. If you are looking for a brush for a specific need, the fiber guide below should assist you in selecting the correct filament.

Animal Hair
Boar Bristle .... Soft to slightly stiff texture, naturally tapered to a fine end that flags with use. Boar bristle is used because of its liquid holding capabilities, gentle removal of fine particles and ability to reach into crevices.

Horsehair .... Durable bristle may be used alone or blended with fine synthetic filament. Tail hair is slightly stiffer than mane hair. Used for removal of fine dust and particles on smooth or highly polished surfaces without scratching.

Synthetic
Nylon .... Long wearing, resistant to alkalis, most solvents and heat. Good water resistance and stands up to use. Nylex nylon is a softer nylon that's flagged and used for vehicle wash brushes. Resistant to most chemicals.

 Polyester .... A long wearing filament with excellent water resistance. Also resists high temperatures, acids, alkalis and most cleaning solvents. Used where sanitary brushes are important to help prevent the growth or distribution of bacteria. Non-matting and durable, polyester is excellent for kitchen use and carpet cleaning.

Polystyrene .... Durable filament that resists water and chemicals. Polystyrene can be flagged for fine sweep floor brushes and counter dusters.

Polypropylene .... A durable material that resists oil, heat, acids, solvents and chemicals. Can be crimped or straight. Not affected by moisture or cleaning solutions. Good fill for floor or scrub brushes.

 Tynex® A Nylon .... DuPont filament with silicon carbide in each bristle is designed for use in general light scrubbing to heavy duty scrubbing and stripping. Tynex® A Nylon cleans floors faster and reaches into grout lines for thorough cleanings.

Vegetable Fibers
Bassine .... A stiffer, more durable form of the Palmyra fiber. Coarse fibers stand up to water, heavy duty scrubbing and coarse sweeping.

Palmyra ..... Medium stiff to stiff filament comes from the Palmyra palm. Used primarily in push brooms and deck scrubs because of its stiffness.

Tampico .... This fiber comes from the Agave plants of Mexico and has soft to medium texture. Tampico has good durability. High resistance to solvents and heat. Used in scrub brushes, push brooms, counter dusters and deck scrubs.

 Wire
Brass .... Soft metal filament used straight or crimped. Removes residues from metal and coated parts without severely scratching hard surfaces. Used for cleaning grills and some ovens. Long wearing and will not rust.

Stainless Steel .... Non-rusting, corrosion-resistant metal. Used where non-corrosive cleaning of parts with a cleaning compound is needed. Stainless steel is stiff and long wearing.

Tempered Steel ..... Manufactured in various degrees of thickness and hardness, depending on desired use. Used where tough scrubbing is needed, such as aggressive grill cleaning, removing residue from metal parts, contractor use or heavy scrubbing of brick work.

Dust Facts
Dust is not just outdoor dirt, sand, rock particles or pollen suspended in the air. Indoor dust is made up of bits of fabric, insect scales, shreds of kapok, stuffing materials from pillows, mattresses, toys, furniture, bacteria, mold and fungus, food particles, human and animal dander and other materials peculiar to any specific environment. Light enough to be suspended in the air, these particles eventually settle and form a fine powder on floors and other indoor objects.

Fact:     It has been estimated  that as much as 80,000,000 tons of dust  settle over the United States every year. Approximately 65% of this dust comes from "natural" sources; the other 35% (about 28,000,000 tons each     year) comes from man's activities: industrial combustion, smelting operations, mining, construction, road building, incinerators and traffic.

Indoor Dust, Allergies and Health
Fact:    Medical research has shown that some allergic reactions to indoor dust are caused by mites, small spider-like insects found in many house dust samples.

In recent years, researchers in  the Netherlands, Japan, England, Germany, Switzerland and the United States have found that several species of these mites thrive in indoor dust. Tests have shown that many patients who are allergic to house dust are in fact allergic the mites present in the dust.

Fact:       Research has proven that some headaches are allergic reactions to dust. These headaches are most frequently caused by ingesting indoor house dust.

Fact:    Dust allergies are a year-round problem, but tend to be more prevalent in winter months. Tracked in slush and mud dry and become dust. This dust becomes airborne and is then carried through air handling systems to every part of the building.

 Fact:     Airborne dust is a primary factor in cross infection. By nature, bacteria lack a means of self-transportation. Bacteria on the floor are relatively harmless. Bacteria transported on dust molecules are easily inhaled an potentially dangerous.

Dust Control
What is dust control?
Simply stated, dust control is a twofold concept. Step one is to prevent soils from entering you indoor environment. Step two is to collect and remove these soils which do enter, using the proper tools in a systematic manner. These tools include:

1. Floor matting to collect and hold dust and dirt tracked in from outdoors.
2. Treated mops, cloths and dusters for dust removal.
3. Wet mops for removal of soils dried onto hard floors.
4. Spot cleaning mops for periodic removal of spots and stains on carpets and upholstery.
5. Vacuuming equipment.

Choosing the right dust mop size
A general rule of thumb is to choose the largest size that can still be maneuvered around any obstacles. For example, auditoriums would require smaller mop heads for seating areas, but perhaps 48" mop heads for stage areas or aisles.  Field surveys indicate that 18" or 24" mops suit most dusting needs. However, a larger mop will do a more efficient job on large, open areas such as lobbies, hallways, warehouses, etc.

Calculating the proper size mop for each use area can save you up to 30% in labor cost. Your Wayne Representative can assist in establishing a dust control program tailored to your needs.

Dust mopping tips
These suggestions will help you get more out of your dust mopping effort.
1. Use "S" strokes, rotating the mop like a canoe paddle.
2. Start at the rear of the room and move towards the entrance door. Mop under and behind furniture to do a thorough cleaning job.
3. Mop the area closest to the baseboard last.
4. Striking the handle or any part of the mop frame against a hard surface might damage the frame or weaken the handle.
5. Do not bear down on the mop. Pressure is not necessary for proper mopping action.
6. To reduce fatigue and to prevent strain, keep your back as straight as possible and bend at the hips while mopping. Do not overreach.
7. A dust mop collects and holds approximately 80% of its soil on the cut ends of the bottom yarn of the mop. After a while, this soil forms a crust which can be removed by vacuuming or by brushing out the encrusted areas with a gong brush or a piece of floor pad.
8. When the crust no longer forms, retreat the dust mop. Do this at the end of your shift, allowing it to cure for at least twelve hours (or overnight).
9. Store a dust mop with the head at the top and away from the wall.

Choosing the right wet mop head and handle:
Wet mops designed for industrial use generally consist of mop heads which may be attached to and removed from holders having wooden or metal handles. The detachable mop head permits laundering in a machine, places the entire strand length in contact with the floor while cleaning and allows re-use of the mop handle with a clean mop head while the soiled one is being laundered.

Since it is relatively inexpensive and very effective, cotton fiber is used most frequently for industrial wet mopping. However, not all cotton mop yarns are the same. Tightly twisted yarns last longer, "lint" less, but don't pick up as fast. Loosely twisted yarns absorb faster, but sacrifice some durability. The number of plies is another important factor when comparing various wet mop heads. Remember both the twist and ply specifications you need when it's time to order.

Rayon Mops, which are whiter than cotton, are popular with food service and healthcare facilities. Fine linen thread mop heads are particularly suitable for damp-dry mopping. Lambs wool and tufted-construction mop heads are designed especially for applying finish.

Wet mops that will be laundered need to have looped ends to avoid fraying and tailbands to prevent tangling.

Wet Mopping Tips
1. Changing your mop water frequently and rinsing the mop each time the water is changed will help prevent streaks.
2. Too much detergent in your mop solution may mean additional rinsing. Also, it leaves a sticky, unsightly film which will attract dirt.
3. Mop in a straight line next to baseboard first to avoid splattering.
4. Repeated flooding of floors, particularly if they stay wet for some time, will loosen tile adhesive, eventually causing curling.
5. For light soil, use a single-solution technique (one mop and one bucket). Use no more solution than necessary to do the job.
6. Use a two-solution mopping technique (two mops, two buckets) for heavy soil. The second mop and bucket are for rinsing and pickup.