Medical Device Cleaning: Martensitic Stainless Steel
Q: We use Alconox on the medical device parts we manufacture that need cleaning before shipment. Alconox detergent is working in an excellent way with austenitic stainless steel parts, but is not working that well with martensitic stainless steel. Actually, at the end of the process cleaning martensitic steel, we notice some marks on the material. Any recommendations?
Replacing Isopropyl Alcohol in Cleaning
Q. I’ve been told that we should no longer use isopropyl alcohol for cleaning our pharmaceutical equipment. What should we use instead?
A. In pharmaceutical cleaning applications, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is less than ideal. Alcohol will clean residues which are soluble in alcohol, but that is a limited range. Using critical cleaning, aqueous detergents are a far more robust and will allow for more effective cleaning processes.
What is the difference between Citranox and Citrajet?
Q. What is the difference between Citranox and Citrajet?
A. Both Citranox® Liquid Acid Cleaner and Detergent and Citrajet® Low-Foam Liquid Acid Cleaner/Rinse are acid cleaners that are excellent at removing inorganics, metallic complexes, trace metals and oxides, scale, salts, soil, grit and oils off glass, metal, stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, plastic rubber and fiberglass. Both Citranox and Citrajet detergents can be used on soft metals such as copper, bronze, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, and others, if rinsed promptly.
Advanced Cleaning Mechanisms: How to remove biofilm
In order to “kill off” any microbial residue, a cleaning and removal of inanimate and organic matter is a must. This would follow with the disinfecting, “kill” step if you will, with an EPA registered disinfectant. To prepare for removal of biofilms on stainless steel via a registered disinfectant, use a two-step process of Solujet alkaline cleaner followed by Citrajet acidic cleaner. Or consider our highly effective enzymatic detergent for use in manual applications including scrubbing, soaking, sonciation or low agitation cleaning in place.
How to: Reduce Cleaning Time
Q. What can we do to reduce cleaning time? We want to be as optimal and thorough in our cleaning as possible.
A. At Alconox Inc we recognize that manual cleaning may take minutes, spray cleaning seconds, and soaking may take hours, possibly overnight, to achieve comparable cleanliness. Read more….