Getinge Clean Detergents –
An Understanding of Cleaning Chemistry
Nature of Soil
Organic Inorganic
•Come from living organisms i.e. fat, •Come from the Earth i.e. hard water
grease, blood, mucous & microorganisms deposits, residues from cleaners, skin preps
& medical solutions
•Acidic in nature, pH 0 - 6
•Alkaline in nature pH 8 - 14
•Best removed using alkaline detergents
•Best removed using acidic detergents
2
Parameters of Cleaning
ACTION CONCENTRATION
TIME TEMPERATURE
3
Formulated Detergent Selection
• Composition of instrument to be reprocessed
• Type of soil to be removed
• Use in manual or automated cleaning
processes
• Water Quality
• Departmental preference concerning use of
detergents
• Handling of instrumentation after use
• Affordability
• Worker/ Environment Safety
4
Components of Formulated Detergents
Component Function
Water Universal solvent
Bases, Acids, Enzymes Hydrolysis- in the presence of water
Surfactants Wet, emulsify, disperse & suspend solids
Chelants, Sequestering Agents Tie up hard water & metal ions
Builders Assist in detergency
Corrosion Inhibitors Protect surfaces against corrosion
Biocides Preservative, antimicrobial agents
Solvents Solubilise
5
Function- Hydrolysis
Process in which a chemical compound is broken down by reaction with water
Less water soluble More water soluble
6
Component- Chelating/ Sequestering Agents
Limit the negative effects of hard water and
metal ions by:
• Chemical ability to tie up hard water &
metal ions
• Keep ions from re-adhering to surfaces
• Allow detergent to perform cleaning
• Inhibits scale build up
7
Component- Corrosion Inhibitors
Limit the negative effects of pH
factors and corrosive anions by
maintaining and protecting the
passive layer of stainless steel
Prevents surface oxidation, pitting
and discoloration
Without corrosion With corrosion
inhibitors inhibitors
8
Component- Surfactants
•Reduce the surface tension of water and cover more surface area (Wetting)
Water droplet Some surfactant added More surfactant added
9
Component- Surfactants
•Penetrate soil and surface irregularities
Substrate
Soil With surfactant Water
10
Component- Surfactants
Emulsification
•A mixture of two immiscible substances to create a blended substance
11
The whole Picture- Detergent at work
Surface with a Soil is pulled & Soil is Water with
soil layer dispersed suspended the soil is
into suspension in water removed
by the surfactant leaving a clean
object
12
Pre-Treatment Foam and Gels
•pH neutral, water based with surfactants
and corrosion inhibitors- may contain
enzymes or disinfectants
• Used right after the surgical procedure
prior to transport
•Keep soils moist while inhibiting microbial
growth- bacteriostatic
•Increases cleaning efficacy of automated
cycles and increases the longevity of
instruments
•Protect surfaces from the corrosivity of
soils and surgical solutions
Pre-Treatment Foam
13
Enzymatic Detergents
•Break down larger molecules into smaller molecules
(Hydrolysis)
•Can be neutral to mild alkaline in pH (Exceptional
material compatibility)
•They only Target specific soils
•Most effective at slightly elevated temperatures (30-
60°C)
•Traditionally formulated with a combination of other
enzyme types and or surfactants
•Used and work best in manual pre-cleaning, but are
also widely used in automated systems for reprocessing
heat and pH sensitive surfaces Enzymatic Detergent
14
Types of enzymes found in detergents and how they work
Protease- target proteins Lipase- target lipids Amylase- target carbohydrates
• Blood type soils • Fatty body tissue • Polysaccharides
15
Alkaline Detergents
•Form a solution in water with pH >7
• Traditionally based on sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
or potassium hydroxide (KOH) formulations with
surfactants
•Very effective in breaking down fats, oils and
protein in the presence of water (hydrolysis)
Universal Detergent
•More effective at higher temperatures >50 °C
•Range from mild (9-10) pH to high (11-12) pH
• May require neutralization
•Some formulations are compatible with soft metals
(aluminium)
16 Heavy Soil Detergent
Acid Neutralizers/Cleaners
•Form a solution in water which has a pH <7
•Often based on organic acid (i.e. citric),
inorganic acid (i.e. phosphoric) or a
combination
•Can be used as a neutralizing step for
alkaline detergents
•Can be used as a cleaner to remove scale
& rust
•Depending on formulation & dosage may
not be compatible with certain soft metals
Neutralizer
17
Rinse Aids
Contain Surfactants and or organic acids,
neutral to acidic in pH
•Helps water to run off the surfaces &
prevents spotting
•Dosed into the final rinse water and can
decrease drying time up to 50%
•Often used in cart washing systems and on
plastics
•Biocompatibility Certificate needed
Rinse Aid
18
Instrument Lubricants
•Neutral pH based formulation that contains
natural or synthetic mineral oil and emulsifiers
•Used primarily to lubricate surgical stainless
steel hinged instruments and moving parts
•Used in final rinse water and does not
compromise terminal sterilization (Gas or
Steam)
•Biocompatibility certificate needed
Lubricant
19