Comparative cost analysis–disposable vs bicomponent split microfiber reusable mops and wipers used for hygienically clean hospital environment
Harris, Jacob Twomey, Janet M. Griffing, Evan M. Overcash, Michael
Harris, Jacob
Twomey, Janet M.
Griffing, Evan M.
Overcash, Michael
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Issue Date
2026
Type
Article
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Keywords
Bicomponent split microfiber,Environmental Genome Initiative,Hygienically clean,Laundry,Life cycle analysis,Reusable flat mops,Reusable wipers
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Citation
Harris, J., Twomey, J., Griffing, E., & Overcash, M. (2026). Comparative cost analysis – disposable vs bicomponent split microfiber reusable mops and wipers used for hygienically clean hospital environment. The Journal of The Textile Institute, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2026.2622873
Abstract
Using bicomponent (PET: nylon) split microfiber woven products as reusable flat mops and wipers has significantly outperformed equivalent disposable options in achieving hygienically clean surfaces, which is the major goal of health care facilities. From anecdotal observations at hospitals and long-term care facilities, disposables are used about 2.5-fold more frequently per patient. This leads to a 91% annual cost savings for flat mops and wipers, which is thus about 10% of the yearly cost of the same disposables. Even at a 1 to 1 use ratio, selecting disposable mops is over 420% more expensive and 240% for wipers. At the national level, if all U.S. hospitals utilize bicomponent split microfiber reusables versus single-use flat mops, the U.S. hospital sector would save about $1.61 billion. For wipers, the savings would be about $0.72 billion. Thus, for just this basic healthcare product change to reusables from disposables for hospital environmental services departments (EV), the U.S. hospital sector would save about $2.3 billion annually, a significant national healthcare cost savings. With this lower annual cost and a greater reduction in environmental impacts, the contribution of reusable bicomponent split microfiber cleaning devices to healthcare organizations’ economic and environmental sustainability is now well documented. © 2026 The Textile Institute.
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Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Journal
Journal of the Textile Institute
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Digital Collection
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00405000