Absorbent Pads

The wide variety of absorbent mats available on the market helps ensure that there is a task-specific mat for nearly every application. However, sometimes too much choice can make it more difficult to choose and help is needed to select the right absorbent. Universal, oil and chemical spill pads are the types of absorbents you will most commonly find on the market which soak up many types of liquids. Universal mats take in a combination of different liquids whilst there are oil and chemical absorbent pads that are designed to soak up specific types of liquid. These different types are also available in different weights and strengths for you to choose from.

So how can you make sure you choose the best absorbent mat for your application? By answering the three questions below you can make sure that you choose the best absorbent mat for your application.

1. What liquids are you working with?

Firstly, you should identify all the types of liquid that you work with in your facility. Using the wrong type of absorbent will mean the spill won’t be absorbed and is likely to spread, possibly causing even more of a hazard. Using the right type of absorbent pad will allow for fast, efficient spill cleanup.

There are typically three types of absorbent mats available on the market which are color-coded for ease of selection, these are:

• Universal Absorbent Pads – absorb a variety of non-aggressive liquids including oils, coolants, solvents and water. Typically these types of absorbents are grey in color to hide grime and blend in well with industrial and other workplace settings.

• Chemical Spill Pads – soak up aggressive liquids such as acids, bases, oxidisers and any unknown liquids. These are color coded pink for quick identification and high visibility of a dangerous spill situation.

• Oil Absorbent Pads – absorb petroleum-based liquids from the surface of the water and can also be used on land-based spills during rainfall. These are typically color coded white

Determining the types of liquids you work with will ensure that you choose a compatible absorbent mat, the clean up of leaks and spills is made easier and you can make sure your facility is cleaner and safer for your employees.

2. What volume of liquid is likely to spill?

When choosing your absorbent mat, consider the maximum amount of liquid that is likely to spill as this will determine the best weight of mat that you will need for your application. Universal, Oil and Chemical spill pads are usually available in three weights: heavy-weight, medium-weight and light-weight.

It is important to choose the right weight of mat so that your absorbent mats are used to their full potential and money isn’t wasted. Using a heavy-weight mat in a low-volume application may mean that the pad is thrown away before it is fully saturated. Likewise, a light-weight mat that needs to be changed out four times during a single shift means money lost on inefficient and unnecessary labor costs. Finding a balance between volume and absorbency is an important part of your leak and spill pad selection.

3. What kind of traffic is in the area?

The kind of traffic in the area where a spill is likely to happen is another important thing to consider when selecting your universal, chemical or oil absorbent pads. Determining this will let you know how durable your absorbent mat needs to be. In areas of high traffic where forklifts and carts are used you will need an extremely durable, long wearing mat; whereas in lower traffic areas such as aisles, walkways and under machines normal light, medium and heavy weight mats will be suitable.

Universal, oil and chemical spill pads can help keep production areas cleaner and safer by absorbing different liquids and providing a drier walking surface, providing you choose the right absorbent mat for your specific application. By answering the three questions above it will point you in the right direction and you can make sure your facility is prepared for dangerous leaks and spills.

4. Do you need any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

The variety of liquids that have the potential to create a spill is vast. Spill responders also come in all shapes and sizes. Because of these two factors, we do not supply PPE with our kits, because a spill kit that contains the wrong gloves or the wrong size suit isn’t going to do you a lot of good in an already stressful situation. We do, however, allow room in our kits for PPE to be added. This helps ensure that workers will be properly protected, and the right equipment will be readily available.

1) Universal maintenance

When you are not sure what kind of spill to expect, a universal pad is will quickly soak up just about any type of liquids. When choosing your universal absorbent pad, it is important that you choose one that is perforated so that you can use only what you need. It should also be gray to mask dirt, and you should be able to wring out for repeated use.

The universal maintenance absorbent pad is ideal for absorbing hydraulic fluids, water, vegetable oil, acetone, turpentine, hexane, MEK, and many other kinds of fluids.

2) Oil only

When choosing a sorbent pad that absorbs oil, you want one that is lint-free and allows for quick wicking. Oil should not remain on a surface for too long, especially if you don’t want that surface to stain.

You can use an oil absorbent pad on land or water, basically whenever or wherever unwanted oil is present. As the name indicates, these types of pads absorb hydrocarbons only. They repel and float on water so that oil can be extracted from water.

3) Economy oil only

The economy oil absorbent pad absorbs oil on contact. Its bright color makes it easy to see when the pad is completely saturated with oil.

These sorbent pads can also be used on land or on water to soak up oil spills. All hydrocarbons can be absorbed, including fuel oil, gasoline, lubricating oils, and diesel.

4) Hazmat

When hazardous chemicals are spilled, they need to be absorbed especially quickly because they are most likely to be harmful to a person’s health. Having perforated and strong hazmat absorbent pads handy can increase the safety of your environment.

Hazmat absorbent pads are ideal for any spills of known and unknown liquids, including caustic soda, sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and other harmful chemicals.

5) Polybacked absorbent pad

These types of sorbent pads are made from two layers of fine fiber polypropylene that is bonded around a meltdown core with an impenetrable poly backing. The chemical resistant backing protects your flooring and even your hands from most liquids.

Polybacked absorbent pads can be used as a general purpose absorbent that absorbs liquids, including water-based liquids.

6) Anti-static

Anti-static sorbent pads are pads that are specially treated to repel water and absorb oil, as well as other hydrocarbons.

These pads can be used to absorb fuels that are volatile even in cold temperatures.

So when looking for the right sorbent pad, make sure you take a look at the oils and liquids that you need absorbed to ensure you get the right kind. With the right pad, your work environment will be much dryer, cleaner, and safer.

Buy Absorbent Mats and all of your janitorial needs at *AMERISOURCE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY*

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Link To Buy vs Rent Analysis Spreadsheet

Over 80% of all matting is rented from a laundry service company.   The main reason cited for using this service is convenience.  As shown in the above spreadsheet it is certainly not more cost effective.  It is much cheaper to purchase high quality mats than to have them changed every week.   High quality mats are guaranteed for 3-5 years of useful life.  The main maintenance required is daily vacuuming.  The cost of periodic deep cleaning is included in the cost of owning the mats.  The initial cost of the mats can be leased or financed to reduce the impact on cash flow.  The savings will more than provide an adequate return on investment.

Key Factors in Buying vs Renting Mats

1. Rented mats are rubber backed and of lower density and quality
2. Purchased mats are higher quality and have heavy vinyl backing and dense pile. 
3. Flexible sizing so you can better match mat sizes to areas to cover
4. Wide selection of mat types to match requirements of area to be covered
5. Wide selection of colors to match decor
6. High quality mats main ongoing maintenance is regular vacuuming

Call us today to walk you through your matting requirements.  Most companies do not have the required amount or correct sizes of matting to be most effective.  Proper matting in place saves cleaning costs and improves the appearance of the facility.

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Proper Entrance Matting

Long Term Cost Savings

Entrance matting when combined as a system is designed to halt dirt, moisture and other debris at the door. When utilized correctly the matting system will help keep floors clean throughout the building. Schools, offices, hospitals, commercial and even industrial facilities can benefit form installing the roper entrance matting system.

It is called a “system” because more than one mat is used and the matting consists of different types. Each matt does a specific job to help keep your building clean. The matt comes in various sizes to fit your entrance dimensions, as well as, different colors and constructions to fit your décor.

An entrance matting system when properly placed helps provide better looking floors; they stay cleaner longer, are easier to maintain and safer to traffic.

A proper matting system consists of two parts. The outdoor or foyer matt is your first line of debris defense. This type of mat is called a Scraper Mat. Its job is to act like a scraper to the sol of shoes, boots, wheels and anything else that runs over it. There are two types of scraper mats.

One is a vinyl looped construction. This allows dirt and moisture to fall below the matting surface, keeping the shoes dry and clean. The Vinyl looped mat is ideal for flat first mat applications in entrance exteriors and foyers.

The second type is an open “Z” vinyl construction with peaked edges that provide excellent scraping action. This is an excellent mat for recessed wells.

The second part of a Proper Matting System is the Carpet Mat. This is your last line of defense in the entrance matting system. This mat is designed for indoor use and it removes moisture, as well as, dirt not removed by the outdoor scraper mat.  This mat consists of coarse fibers that scrape soil particles form shoes, and also, fine fibers that help wick away moisture.

The benefits of a proper matting system are significant cost reductions in that category of your balance sheet. First, the cost savings from continual floor maintenance can, in many instances, pay for the mats themselves. Simply vacuum and extract debris form the mat as you would any carpet and the life of the mat will increase. Second by owning and performing daily maintenance you no longer need to rent or lease your mats, therefore lessening your mat expense.

In closing, the purchase and maintenance of your own matting system is not only cost effective but can add elegant décor to your facility.

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The most vital part of a comprehensive floor care program begins with stopping the dirt and crud at the door.  Some facts to consider:

• 1. 70-80% of soil is tracked from outside shoe traffic
• 2. The cost to remove 1lb of dirt from your facility is $600
• 3. One square yard of carpet can accumulate 1lb of dirt per week
• 4. Without matting 1500 people will track in enough dirt to remove 42% of the floor coating on a 2 coat program.
• 5. 20 feet of a high quality mat will will stop 86% of the dirt  

A matting system must:

1. Trap Dirt               = Scrapper Mat
2. Hold Dirt               = Scraper Mat
3. Hide Dirt               = Combination Wiper/Scraper Mat
4. Absorb Moisture   = Wiper Mat

The relatively small cost of purchasing and maintain a matting system will more than provide an adequate payback on your investment.  If you can eliminate a modest 1lb of dirt per week, that would provide a $600 per week savings in cleaning cost.

Outside Entrances

Scrapper Mat          Astro-Turf H-D       $10.00/sq ft 
                                      Mat-a-Dor 3′x6′       $175

Heavy Duty Polyethylene blades
Guaranteed 3 years
Traps two times the dirt of any other mat, almost 2lb per square foot
Easy clean up – pressure wash

Vestibules      

Wiper/Scrapper       Crown-Turf             $10.00/sq ft
                                        Bristle Mat              $ 2.90/sq ft

Heavy Crush resistant nylon fiber, same as athletic fields
Guaranteed 3 years
Hold 1lb of dirt per square foot
Quick dry time less between 3 and 4 hours
Superior abrasion resistance
Easy clean up – pressure wash
Bristle mat – Monofilament bristles mixed with olefin 

Inside Entrances  

Wiper                      Imperial Twist         $3.70/sq ft
                                   Wonder Pro            $2.70/sq ft

Nylon twisted pile gives superior crush resistance
Dries 15% faster than standard olefin mats
Excellent Soil resistance
Easy to clean vacuum/extract
Olefins better soil resistance/Nylon better crush resistance

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There is more than one answer to this difficult problem.  The real cause of the problem is urine loving bacteria that grow in the grout.  Urine penetrates the grout even if it is sealed with silicone or floor finish.  Surface cleaning does not penetrate deep enough to kill the bacteria so once the cleaner’s odor has dissipated the urine smell returns. 

Solution 1: Immediately after mopping spray the urinal or bowl areas with Nilodor’s Bacteria/Enzyme.  The bacteria/enzyme must be applied when the floor is wet. The product will destroy the urine loving bacteria and the odor will be eliminated.  It may take a week of application to get the bathroom back in control.  After the initial period regular treatments will keep the problem in check.

Solution 2: Clean the floor as above and then Amreps CRYSTAL GUARD IMPREGNATOR AMRB00848.  This clear impregnator is impervious to urine. As a result, the urine will not penetrate the grout and can be cleaned away in daily mopping.  It does not change the slip characteristics of the floor nor can you notice that it has been applied.

Solution 3: Clean the floor as in solution 1 and then put down a Urinal Floor Guard.  The Floor Guard fits under the urinal and catches the urine over spray thus eliminated the problem by preventing the urine from reaching the floor.  It is applied with velcro so the area under the Floor Guard can be cleaned.  It works very simply by catching urine in an absorbent treated with enzymes.  After a certain period 3 days to one week just pick it up and throw the top replaceable unit away and install a new one.

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Facts to consider regarding Rental Mat Programs 

1. Most people using rental mat programs think it is more convenient to let the laundry wash their mats. If you analyze this you see that the laundry only cleans the mat one time a week or once every two weeks depending on the service interval. Washing mats once a week or once every two weeks is not often enough to properly maintain them. Between deliveries these mats are usually cleaned daily by the cleaning staff so they won’t look so dirty. So, one day a week the laundry service cleans the mat while the remainder of the week the mats are cleaned internally. With an effective entrance mat, that is designed with a permanent Bi-Level cleaning surface you can own your own mats and conveniently clean them internally eliminating the laundries costly one cleaning per week. 
2. Rental mat programs generally offer the same type of mat for all applications.  These mats are constructed of a non-reinforced nylon carpet on a rubber backing. While this construction holds up well in the industrial laundry process it does not provide the best soil management system to effectively remove dirt and moisture at entrances.  The non-reinforced nylon surface crushes down soon after the mat is placed at the entrance causing the dirt and moisture to sit on top. Dirt and moisture will then reattach to pedestrian traffic and track into the facility.  A more effective program would include a range of mats designed for the specific application including entrance mats with a permanently reinforced bi-level surface, finishing mats, interior mats, slip resistant mats and anti fatigue mats. When you own your mats you can choose the best mats for your specific placement needs.  
3. Users of rental mat programs have little control over the age and quality of the mats being delivered. Rental mats will vary in age from brand new to as much as 5 or more years of age. Because of this age variation it is not unusual for the rental mat service to deliver mats that may be unsafe due to torn edges and rippling. A trip and fall accident caused by a faulty mat could cost as much as $20,000.00. Due to these age differences many mats within the same color group do not match. This is unsightly when placed close together and will reflect negatively to customers. It is not unusual for older mats to go through a re-dyeing process to hide defects allowing these older mats to remain in service even longer. When you own your mats you decide when the mats are too old. You control the quality of the mats in use, guarding against negative safety issues and protecting your well-earned image. 
4.  Rental mat programs usually offer very few size options, as it is more efficient to limit the number of SKU’s they wash and deliver to their customers. The limited sizes they do offer are designed for ease of handling and delivery. Not optimum soil and moisture management. A Carpet and Rug Institute study found that it takes a minimum of 12 feet to remove up to 80% of the dirt carried in on the soles of shoes. Most rental mats do not exceed 10 feet in length and many are only 5 feet long. By owning your own mats you choose the length that will give the coverage you need.   
5. When using a rental mat program you will rarely see the same mats from week to week unless you are renting Custom Logo mats. There is no telling where the mats you have this week were last week. They could have been in a professional office or a meat packing plant. The point is you have no control over where the mats have been before you got them. That’s why it is not unusual for the mats they deliver to have stains, odors, bald spots and soil unless you happen to receive a brand new one. It is not unusual for the laundry route man to skip the cleaning service on mats that do not look dirty as this reduces their workload. To reduce processing costs, many laundries do not dry their mats after washing. This leaves excessive grit; sand and possible mildew odors in the mats. Owning your own mats gives you the reassurance that your mats are clean and ready to do the job they were designed for. 
6.  Usually outdoor scraper mats and anti-fatigue mats are on a no-service lease program and are not cleaned on the once per week interval. It is left up to you to clean these yourself while still paying a high weekly charge. By owning these mats you pay once up front and not weekly year after year. These mats could last several years before you need to replace them.  
7. Buy Verses Rent. Which program is the most cost effective? Rental mat programs will cost approximately $.20 per square foot every week. That’s $3.00 for every 3×5 mat rented every week for an annual cost of $156.00 each! Every year as long as the mat is rented. A high performance WaterHog mat with Bi-Level cleaning surface will cost less than half of that the first year and nothing after that. The three year cost of a 3×5 rented mat is approximately $468.00 verses approximately $75.00 for a purchased WaterHog mat. That’s a savings of $393.00 over three years for just one 3×5 mat.  

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