Today, many users tend to believe that the more foam a cleaning chemical produces, the higher its cleaning performance. However, this is merely a subjective perception and is not supported by scientific evidence.
In the field of medical device reprocessing, particularly when using automated washer-disinfectors (WDs), excessive foaming can lead to serious consequences, directly compromising both cleaning efficacy and equipment lifespan.
Negative Effects of Excessive Foaming in Instrument Cleaning
Foam is primarily formed by the combination of:
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- Surfactants
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- Organic soils adhering to instruments
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- By - products generated when detergents react with contaminants
Adverse Impacts of Excessive Foam in Automated Washer-Disinfectors
1. Reduced Cleaning Effectiveness (Most Critical)
-> Foam consists largely of air, which prevents cleaning agents from making effective contact with instrument surfaces. This significantly reduces the removal of organic and inorganic soils.
2. Equipment and Process Damage
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- Pump damage: Large volumes of foam can impair or damage the WD circulation pump.
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- Heating element failure: Foam contains air instead of water, which may cause overheating and damage to the WD heating elements.
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- System errors: Excessive foam frequently triggers system alarms, interrupting reprocessing cycles.
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- Incorrect water level detection: Foam can lead to inaccurate water level readings inside the washer - disinfector.
3. Resource Waste
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- Difficult rinsing: Excessive foam makes rinsing more challenging and time-consuming, resulting in increased water consumption - particularly costly RO/DI water used in the final rinse phase.
OPTIMAL SOLUTION
-> For automated washer - disinfectors, it is essential to use detergents specifically formulated for machine-based cleaning, with strict foam control.
-> Borer washer detergents are specially formulated to optimize cleaning performance in the high - temperature environment of automated washer - disinfectors, while being low-foaming or non - foaming, ensuring: Equipment safety, Process stability, Consistent and high - quality instrument reprocessing
RECOMMENDATION
Always use dedicated detergents designed for washer-disinfectors.
Which detergent are you currently using in your washer-disinfector?
-> Contact Dương Gia for expert consultation to select the most suitable chemical solution for your system.