The Care and Cleaning of Stainless
Sanitizing
Sanitizing is a distinct process separate from cleaning. While some sanitizing certainly occurs during
cleaning, it usually is not effective in destroying all of the micro-organisms that cause disease and food
spoilage. Therefore, these have to be dealt with using special substances that have requisite toxic
properties to the organisms, but do not cause corrosion of the surfaces or are too toxic for use.
Common sanitizers fall into four main categories (these materials are all water soluble and are either
surface-active agents or have them added to them). Following, are their characteristics and
limitations:
1) Inorganic Chlorine Products -- usually calcium or sodium hypochlorite.
a) Effective, if high enough concentration is used;
b) Organic matter may cause a reduction in bacterial action;
c) Temperature and pH may influence bactericidal effectiveness;
d) Relatively unaffected by water hardness;
e) No film left on surface but may leave odor or taste if not rinsed completely;
f) Bactericidal activity good against a number of micro-organisms;
g) Can lead to corrosion of stainless steel if not rinsed completely; and
h) Minimum concentration required -- 50 ppm.
2) Organic Chlorine Products -- Chloramine-T, di- or tri-chlorocyanuric acids.
a) Slower bactericidal action than hypoclorites;
b) Similar limitations and characteristics as hypochlorites;
c) Relatively non-irritating to the skin;
d) Relatively non-corrosive to stainless steel; and
e) Minimum concentration required -- 200 ppm.
3) Iodophors -- Aqueous solutions of elemental iodine, sodium or potassium iodide and
various organic substances.
a) Rapid bactericidal action in acid pH range in cold and/or hard water;
b) Less affected by organic matter than hypochlorites;
c) Nontoxic in ordinary concentrations;
d) Non-irritating to the skin;
e) Deepness of yellow or amber colour of solutions is proportional to concentration;
f) Non-staining;
g) Minimal taste and odor;
h) Relatively non-corrosive to stainless steel; and
i) Minimum concentration required -- 12.5 ppm.
4) Quaternary Ammonium Compounds -- Complicated di- or tri- methyl- or butyl- organic
compounds containing ammonium chloride.
a) Degree of dilution usually determines germicidal action;
b) Very selective in destruction of various types of organisms;
c) Can form unwanted bacteriostatic films on surfaces after contact;
d) Non-irritating to the skin;
e) No taste or odor in usual dilutions;
f) Incompatible with soap and some detergents;
g) Residual quantities often undetermined;
h) Non-corrosive to stainless steel; and
i) Minimum concentration required -- 200 ppm.
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