What exactly is cleaning?
Cleaning is basically moving dirt. The dirt needs to be moved from point A (where it doesn’t belong) to point B (where it does belong). In order to do this, the dirt must be:
- Loosened from the surface
- Made transportable
- Transported
The effectiveness of our cleaning is determined by the following 4 factors::
- Chemical action
- Time
- Temperature
- Mechanical action
These parameters were used by the German chemist Sinner and are represented in the circle below. It offers a visualization of the cleaning process. In an ideal situation, all 4 of the factors are equally important (see figure). This kind of situation occurs seldom or never. The emphasis is always on some factors.
- Chemical action
This relates to the used cleaning agent.
- Time
This refers to the total time that is needed for cleaning. It includes:
- Preparation
- Applying the product
- Application time
- Scrubbing the surface
- Rinsing off
- Drying
- Tidying up
- Temperature
This refers to the temperature of the applied product, the temperature of the surface to be cleaned, the temperature of the rinsing water, the room temperature, …As a general rule, the higher the temperature is, the better the cleaning will be. Of course, there’s a limit to the temperature, depending on the application.
- Mechanical action
This is about the cleaning method:
- Spraying and wiping
- Using a sponge
- High-pressure cleaning
- Degreasing baths
- Scrubbing and mopping
- Sweeping machines
- Carpet-cleaning machines
The choice of the right mechanical action determines to a high extent the result of the cleaning effort.
An optimal implementation of Sinner’s circle makes for efficient cleaning. However, if one factor (for example time) is being reduced, there will have to be an accompanying increase in another factor (for example temperature).
Article in pdf? Sinner's circle.pdf
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