Cleaning steps
*Please note that the cleaning sequences described below are merely guidelines. The nature of cleaning equipment, detergents and disinfectants, type of residues as well as other external factors may affect the cleaning sequences.
This is what a typical cleaning sequence looks like:
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Pre-rinsing with water
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Application of foam detergent
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Rinsing
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Disinfection
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Post-rinsing
Pre-rinsing with water
The purpose of pre-rinsing is to:
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Prevent drying of the soil on the surfaces and to moisten the soil and the surfaces.
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Loosen and collect a small amount of solid waste.
Pre-rinsing with water
Pre-rinsing can be carried out with water supplied from a boosted water pressure cleaner. Water temperature should be adjusted to the remaining cleaning programme and the types of soil on the specific areas. Hot water is only recommended for pre-rinsing when the dirt types mainly consist of fat. Cold water for pre-rinsing will be sufficient on most surfaces if the remaining cleaning programme is optimal.
If large quantities of solid waste have been collected by pre-rinsing, it must be removed before application of detergent.
Removal of solid waste and pre-rinsing
These two sub-routines have partly the same purpose –to remove most of the solid waste. A thorough removal of waste will decrease the demand for pre-rinsing and a thorough pre-rinsing can increase the effect of a less thorough removal of waste.
Application of foam detergent
The purpose of applying detergent is to decompose and loosen the soil from surfaces and prevent the soil already loosened from re-depositing. This principle is the same for all detergents, but the systems for application of detergents may differ.
Application of the detergent as foam may be recommended if the subsequent rinsing is carried out by a boosted water pressure system.
Warm water is normally recommended for application of detergents, but cold water may be sufficient, if the detergents are soluble in cold water. In any case, water reaches the temperature of the environment when applied. It is unlikely that a surface can be cleaned 100% without the use of detergent
Application of foam detergent
Rinsing
Decomposed and suspended soil and detergent residues should be removed by rinsing with water. Rinsing can be carried out with water under pressure (boosted or high) or with water and manual force.
To prevent deposits of suspended soil, warm water is recommended for rinsing. In nearly all cases, a temperature of 40°C will be sufficient. In most cases, it is better to have a constant temperature than very hot water.
Water temperature should be thermostatically controlled. If pressure systems are used for rinsing, pressure should not be more than 30 bar. Practical experiments have shown that a pressure of 25 bar and 20-40 litres of water per minute will give sufficient cleaning results.
Disinfection
The purpose of disinfection is destruction of microorganisms by the use of chemical or physical agents or processes. The number of microorganisms should be reduced to a level that will not cause harmful contamination of food. The application of disinfectant has to be carried out by low pressure. Sprays are recommended for disinfection purposes.
Disinfection
Post-rinsing
To avoid residues of disinfectants on surfaces and to counteract corrosion, post-rinsing after the disinfection procedure may be required. Post-rinsing should be carried out using water from a water hose or from a boosted pressure system. It is important to assure that surfaces will not be re-contaminated by post-rinsing, i.e. water must be clean.