Abstract: A multi-material composite, the materials being positioned at raised regions (120/220/320/420) and recessed regions (130/230/330/430) on the working surface (110/210/310,315/410), provides a cleaning device (100/200/300/400) with both scouring and wiping on a single surface. By recessing certain material (s) from the working surface, the user can control, with pressure, the extent to which the recessed region makes contact with a surface to be cleaned (170/270). The composite may have at least a first substrate (140/240/340/440) that is a compressible material, and a second substrate (150/250/350/450) that is a compressible material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning cloth that is constructed from a single yarn but has multiple cleaning functions. The cleaning cloth comprises base material, a looped pile formed of a yarn extending from the base material a first distance at a working surface, and a cut pile formed of the yarn extending from the base material a second distance at the working surface. The first distance is greater than the second distance by at least 0.5 mm. The longer looped pile is able to perform a sweeping action, while the shorter cut pile is a more dense arrangement of the fiber to capture and retain fine dust and debris. The disclosed cleaning cloth is therefore highly suitable for cleaning highly textured surface, such as tile floors.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning grout including a nonwoven web, or nonwoven web composite, having two opposing major surfaces and at least three edge surfaces defined by the opposing major surfaces, wherein the web or web composite is secured in a slot of a grip such as a handgrip. The web or web composite extends from the grip such that the edges of the web or web composite are available for scrubbing. The nonwoven web or web composite may have three or four edge surfaces. Kits including a plurality of nonwoven webs or web composites, in combination with a grip, may be made.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor cleaning tool. In one embodiment the floor cleaning tool comprises a backing and a handle. The backing comprises a first surface and a second surface. The handle is attached to the second surface of the backing apparatus. The backing has a generally triangular perimeter having a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge. A portion of the first edge is curved and a portion of the second edge is curved. The first edge and second edge meet at a leading point. The third edge is concave. The floor cleaning tool is capable of supporting a wipe.

Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a fibrous cleaning pad. The handle assembly includes a generally rigid first member including a first insertable portion, and a handle portion with a first end of the handle portion fixed to a second end of the first insertable portion and a manually engageable part adjacent a second opposite end of the handle portion. The handle assembly also includes a second member including a second insertable portion, and an actuation portion having a first end fixed to a second end of the second insertable portion. A first end of the second insertable portion opposite the actuation portion is pivotally mounted on a first end of the first insertable portion opposite the handle portion for relative movement of the insertable portions by manual manipulation of the actuation portion between a diverging position with outer surfaces of the insertable portions diverging from their first ends, and an adjacent position with the outer surfaces of the insertable portions generally parallel.

Abstract: A caddy having a socket shaped to receive the scrubbing end portion of a cleaning implement such as a brush when the implement is being stored, particularly including the type of cleaning implement having a long handle that is used for cleaning toilet bowls or the like that is commonly used and stored in bathrooms. The cooperating shapes of the cleaning and a socket in the caddy allow storage of the cleaning implement or brush either with the long handle of the cleaning implement projecting upwardly in the conventional manner, or with its long handle extending generally horizontally, thereby facilitating storage of the caddy containing the cleaning implement in cabinets of the types typically found in bathrooms.