Cleaning implement having high absorbent capacity

Abstract

A cleaning implement comprising a handle and a removable cleaning pad. The removable cleaning pad is capable of absorbing at least 10 g deionized water per g of cleaning pad in 20 minutes, under a confining pressure of 0.09 psi. These implements provide the convenience of disposable cleaning implements and the cleaning ability of conventional mops.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A disposable cleaning pad comprising: 
 a) a scrubbing layer;    b) an absorbent layer in direct fluid communication with the scrubbing layer, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent material; and    c) an attachment layer for releasably attaching said cleaning pad to the handle of a cleaning implement.    
     
     
         2 . The disposable cleaning pad of  claim 1  further comprising a scrim.  
     
     
         3 . The disposable cleaning pad of  claim 1  wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least about 15%, by weight of said absorbent layer, of said superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         4 . The disposable cleaning pad of  claim 3  wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least about 20%, by weight of said absorbent layer, of said superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         5 . The disposable cleaning pad of  claim 4  wherein said superabsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of superabsorbent gelling polymers and hydrophilic, polymeric absorbent foams.  
     
     
         6 . The disposable cleaning pad of  claim 4  wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least about 25%, by weight of said absorbent layer, of said superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         7 . The disposable cleaning pad of  claim 1  wherein said attachment layer comprises a material that is essentially fluid impervious.  
     
     
         8 . A method of cleaning a surface comprising: 
 providing a disposable cleaning pad comprising: 
 a) a scrubbing layer;  
 b) an absorbent layer in direct fluid communication with the scrubbing layer, wherein the absorbent layer comprises a superabsorbent material; and  
 c) an attachment layer for releasably attaching said cleaning pad to the handle of a cleaning implement;  
   applying a cleaning solution onto said surface to be cleaned; and    contacting said surface to be cleaned with said cleaning pad.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said disposable cleaning pad further comprises a scrim.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least about 15%, by weight of said absorbent layer, of said superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least about 20%, by weight of said absorbent layer, of said superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said superabsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of superabsorbent gelling polymers and hydrophilic, polymeric absorbent foams.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said absorbent layer comprises at least about 25%, by weight of said absorbent layer, of said superabsorbent material.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said attachment layer comprises a material that is essentially fluid impervious.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cleaning solution comprises water and a solvent.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cleaning solution comprises water and a surfactant.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said cleaning solution further comprises a solvent.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, cationic surfactant, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said surfactant is an alkylpolyglucaside.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cleaning solution comprises water and a polymer wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of anionic polymer, cationic polymer, zwitterionic polymer, nonionic polymer, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said cleaning solution further comprises a suds suppressor.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said method of cleaning a surface is conducted without a rinsing step.