Equipment Maintenance Rules:

Buckets, wringers and cleaning pails come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. They can be made of stainless steel, galvanized steel and plastic among others. Just because they are used for cleaning and disinfecting doesn't mean they don't need to be cleaned regularly. Regular maintenance of buckets, wringers and pails will extend the life of the equipment and make the cleaning job easier.

Wringers Care: * Keep the equipment in good repair. * Use a bucket and wringer of the proper size for the mop. * Don't lengthen the handle of the wringer. * Remove any loose mop head yarn, string or foreign matter that may have become snarled in the wringer or bucket handle. * Fill a wash pail with 2 gallons of water. Add the disinfectant/cleaning solution at the prescribed rate. * Wash and scrub all surfaces and rinse it with warm water and wipe it dry. * Don't use force on a wringer lever. * Keep parts oiled and tight. * Keep the wringer in the "release" position. * Store the wringer in a dry place. * Report any defects to your supervisor.

Buckets Care: * At the end of each day, empty the tanks and remove any remaining mop strands or debris. * Wash and scrub the surfaces of the tank with small amounts of chlorinated powder cleanser applied onto a hand brush. Wash dollies and casters with detergent solution. * Rinse them thoroughly with clean water and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. * When necessary, add a few drops of oil to each caster. * Avoid hitting the mopping unit against other objects and walls. * Store it in the proper place. * Report any defects to your supervisor. * Replace bumper strips on the dolly when needed. * Avoid the use of any acid on mopping equipment that will rust the galvanized metal. * Do not allow a cleaning solution to remain in the bucket when the bucket is not in use.

Cleaning Pails: Cleaning pails require routine care as they can harbor harmful germs.

Maintenance of Cleaning Pails: * Clean the pail thoroughly at regular intervals with steel wool or a similar abrasive type of pad. * Avoid the use of any acid, as it may rust the galvanized metal. * Check the pail at regular intervals for dents, punctures, rust and general wear. * Do not allow a cleaning solution to remain in the bucket when it is not being used.

Washing of Cleaning Pails: * Bring the equipment to the specified area for washing. * Empty the contents. * Rinse the pail until no sediment of the cleaning material or residue is present. * Scrub it inside and out. Apply small amounts of chlorinated powdered cleanser to a hand-scrub brush to remove heavy soil residue. * Rinse the pail with hot water and a pot brush. * Wipe it dry to prevent rusting, or turn it upside down to dry. * Store the pail in a dry place. * Do not set heavy objects on the pail.

by Lee Harris