The Brewer's Handbook, 3rd Edition: Check for Availability
Chapter 7Sanitizing agents (often called disinfectants) are used to reduce the number of microorganisms to acceptable levels in brewing. Sanitizing may be accomplished by physical methods or through the use chemical sanitizers. Physical methods include the use of either hot water or steam to kill bacteria. Chemical sanitizing generally involves either immersing the object in a sanitizing solution for a specific amount of time or spraying/wiping the object with the solution and allowing it to air-dry. Chemical sanitizers differ in their effectiveness on certain microorganisms and in the concentration, temperature and contact time required to kill bacteria. Common chemical sanitizers include chlorine compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, hydrogen peroxide, peroxyacetic acid, anionic acids, and iodophores.
Physical Sanitation
Some brewers favor steam or hot water for brewery sanitation on the grounds that chemical sanitizers can taint the beer with objectionable odors. To be effective, steam must be wet (not superheated) and free from air.
Physical versus Chemical Sanitation
The advantage of physical sanitation is the elimination of chemical sanitizing agents; however, its application is limited due to the energy required to produce steam or hot water, and its suitability and effectiveness for some applications is limited. Chemical sanitation is therefore predominantly used in the beer brewing industry.
Alkaline-Based Sanitizers
Chlorine
Chlorine based sanitizers are widely used in the beer brewing industry. Chlorine compounds are broad spectrum germicides which act on microbial membranes, inhibit cellular enzymes involved in glucose metabolism, have a lethal effect on DNA, and oxidize cellular protein. Chlorine has activity at low temperature, is relatively inexpensive, and leaves minimal residue or film on surfaces. In properly blended products, chlorine based sanitizers are relatively non-toxic, colorless, non-staining, and easy to prepare and apply.
Quaternary Ammonium
Quaternary ammonium compounds, commonly referred to as "quats" or "QACs," are used extensively in breweries because of their stability and non-corrosiveness. They have rapid bactericidal action at very low concentrations but selective biocidal activity. QACs are efficient against gram-positive bacteria but less effective against gram-negative bacteria (38). They are very effective against yeast and mold too.
Acid-Based Sanitizers
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (HP) has a broad spectrum with slightly higher activity against gram-negative than gram-positive organisms.
Peroxyacetic Acid (PAA)
Peroxyacetic acid (peracetic, PAA) has been known for its germicidal properties for a long time. One of the advantages of peroxyacetic acid is that, once it is dosed into water, there are no vapor issues as with chlorine-based compounds. Its other advantages include the absence of phosphates and foam, and its biodegradability. PAA is relatively stable at use strengths of 100 to 200 mg/l (17).
Anionic Acids
Anionic acids are one of the fastest growing sanitizing groups in the craft brewing industry. They are chemicals composed of two functional groups-a lipophilic portion and a hydrophillic portion-which results in a negative charge. The negatively charged anionic acid sanitizers react with positively charged bacteria by attraction of opposite charges.
Iodophores
Iodophores have a wide biocidal spectrum, react directly with the cell, and are not subject to immune species of yeast, bacteria, or molds. These are iodine-containing formulations are usually composed of elemental iodine, a surfactant, and an acid such as phosphoric acid. The surfactant reduces the staining and corrosive properties of iodine, which is stated to be a more effective sanitizer than chlorine at comparable concentrations.
Click on the following topics for more information on brewery cleaning and sanitation.
People often use cleaning and sanitising, interchangeably, however, there is a clear difference between both the terms. Cleaning is a process of removing dirt such as dust particles, bad odours, and clutter from surfaces while sanitisation is a process to make something hygienic and free of germs. If the house is not regularly cleaned, the trash and dirt will build up due to which germs and bacteria multiply and grow, and people living in the house may get sick. Hence cleaning and sanitising, both are necessary for our environment.
Cleaning is a tiresome task, and most of the people find it difficult to follow a routine regularly. Professional cleaning companies know exactly the correct measures to take for cleaning and sanitising. For vacate cleaning also, proper cleansing becomes imperative so that you can get your bond money back without any hassles. Thus, getting the assistance from expert cleaners is essential for the end of lease cleaning in Adelaide.
Let’s see how cleaning and sanitising differ from each other and what are the most effective methods used to clean or sanitise:
Difference Between Cleaning and Sanitising
Cleaning removes dirt from a surface; it involves getting rid of dust, clutters, and making things look shiny and pleasant.
Surfaces that need cleaning: The areas that have higher traffic should be cleaned as regularly as possible. They should be cleaned using hot soapy water, whereas specific regions like kitchen equipment, door handles etc. should be wiped down. Floors, windows, door handles etc. are few surfaces which should be cleaned regularly.
Sanitising is the process of eradicating germs and infection from a surface. It is reducing the number of bacteria and eliminating any virus which can cause sickness. It must work in concurrence with another cleaning method to remove germs.
Sanitisation is more often done in hospitals and public health places in Adelaide to get rid of bacteria that might cause health problems. However, now homes and commercial places are also regularly sanitised to ensure health and hygiene of the people.
Surfaces that need sanitisation: Surfaces which come into contact with food, bathrooms and high traffic or communal areas etc. should regularly be sanitised.
Cleaning Methods
Cleaning procedures involve removing trash from surfaces, applying a detergent solution, rinsing with water, disinfection where necessary, dry cleaning etc.
Here are some methods that are used for cleaning:
Dusting- Dusting is an easy method for cleaning. You can use a microfiber cloth for dusting different surfaces. Tying dampened cloth at the end of mops and brooms work great for removing cobwebs. You can easily clean the tops of fans, doors, light fixtures, picture frames with it.
Vacuuming- Use the method of vacuuming for cleaning floors, furniture, couch, carpets etc. Vacuuming is the most efficient way to clean up all the dust and other loose litter that gathers on the floors and other surfaces.
Mopping- Mopping is the best cleaning method which doesn’t take a lot of time and sweeps the floor in one go. It involves less fuss than taking out the vacuum. For mopping, start at the farthest corner of the room and move back toward the entrance.
Scrape- Scraping is an integral part of cleaning as it takes out all the filth, grease and food particles from the item that you are cleaning.
Rinsing- Once you have removed the dirt particles, you can rinse that place using lukewarm or hot water. You can use detergent also before rinsing a particular item to remove any residue.
You should use eco-friendly products for cleaning such as vinegar, lemon, baking soda etc. as they give best results without damaging the environment.
Sanitising Methods
Sanitising procedures involve removing debris by wiping and scraping, rinsing with water, cleaning with detergents etc.
Here are some methods that are used for sanitising:
Heat- Heat is used in different forms for sanitisation.
One method is using hot water which is most commonly used in the food industry. Hot water kills the bacteria.
Steam- Another method is to expose the surface to steam. The higher the temperature, the less time it will take to kill germs.
Chemical Sanitisers- Some tested chemicals such as chlorine, iodine, and quaternary ammonium etc. are used for sanitisation. Always read the product instructions while using a chemical sanitiser, so that the correct amount of time and sanitiser is used.
Why Hiring Professional Cleaning Services is Vital For Cleaning and Sanitising?
Even though you clean your house regularly and it may look neat and tidy, but the bacteria has the tendency to quickly build upon these apparently clean surfaces. Regular sanitising is essential for maintaining the standard health and reducing the possible transfer of germs and bacteria.
It is an important consideration during the typical cold and flu seasons when viruses and germs can quickly spread if not treated on time, hence it’s imperative to sanitise a place thoroughly after cleaning it. Therefore, it is mandatory to have professional cleaning services to clean and sanitise your house properly and ensure health and hygiene of you and your family.
Conclusion
Cleaning should be a part of your daily routine. Sanitising is as important as cleaning, but most of the people tend to ignore it. Bond Cleaning in Adelaide provides professional cleaning services by trained experts. They believe in satisfying the employees and maintaining the high standards of hygiene as a part of their services. They are specialised in end of lease cleaning in Adelaide and are known for thoroughly clean-ups of a house and commercial places.