Why does a cleaning agent work exceptionally well for one customer but barely at all for another? The answer almost never lies with the cleaning agent alone. Whether a cleaning process is successful depends on four factors that work together: chemistry, mechanics, temperature and time. This principle is known as Sinner’s Circle. Those who understand it can specifically improve cleaning processes, and that is precisely where we can support you.
What is the Sinner’s Circle?
In 1959, the chemist Herbert Sinner described how every cleaning result is determined by four factors. In the circle, each factor is represented by a segment. Together, they always account for the entire cleaning result.
| factor | What’s included | Typical adjustment screws |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Cleaning agent, concentration, mode of action (solvent-based, water-miscible, alkaline, acidic) | other cleaning agents, higher or lower concentrations, pre-cleaning |
| Mechanics | Wiping, brushing, scraping, high-pressure cleaning, blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, circulation in an immersion bath | Tool, pressure, nozzles, brush type, ultrasonic power |
| Temperature | Temperature of the cleaning agent, component or system | Cleaning at high or low temperatures; heating up; cooling down before cleaning |
| Time | Contact time and duration of the cleaning process | Leave it to work for longer; clean during breaks or overnight |
The factors can be swapped around
The essence of Sinner’s circle: if one factor decreases, others must increase so that the result remains the same. A few examples:
- Less fiddling, more time: If a delicate surface must not be scrubbed, the cleaner needs to be left to work for longer.
- Less temperature, more chemistry: If cleaning is carried out using cold water rather than warm, the cleaning product must be left to work for longer or be stronger.
- Less time, more mechanics: If the system needs to be up and running again quickly, mechanical methods such as brushes, high-pressure jets or ultrasonic cleaning can help.
- Less harsh chemicals, more time or mechanical methods: People who replace labelled cleaning products often compensate for this by leaving the product to work for longer or by adding an extra step to the process.
That is why there is rarely a single ‘best’ cleaner. There is, however, the best combination for your type of dirt, your surface and your drain.
What the graph does not show
In practice, there are additional conditions which limit the scope of the four factors:
- Contamination: Adhesive, paint, oil, bitumen, silicone or polymer, whether fresh or cured.
- Surface: Steel, aluminium, plastic, rubber, paint or glass. It determines the extent to which chemical and mechanical processes are permitted.
- Health and Safety at Work: Classification of the cleaning agent, ventilation, explosion protection, protective equipment.
- Layout and procedure: Downtime, staff, existing equipment, waste water and oil separators.
Our role: We supply the chemicals and help with everything else
The factor Chemistry We supply them ourselves: we have been developing and manufacturing our cleaning products in Schüttorf for over 30 years. Many of them are not classified as hazardous. If there isn’t yet a suitable cleaning product for a particular task, we develop our own formula (Tailor-made).
Mechanics, temperature and time are part of your process. We can help here with our advice and experience gained from numerous industrial cleaning projects:
- We analyse your cleaning requirements, on site if you wish.
- We test cleaning agents directly on your plant and compare them with your current process.
- We work with your staff to adjust the exposure time, temperature and mechanical support.
- We’ll be upfront about it if a less hazardous cleaner requires an extra step, so that you can weigh up the options properly.
From real-life experience
- More time, less fiddly work: Binder rollers in glass-fibre wallpaper production were previously cleaned using only a brush and high-pressure water. In tests carried out on the production line, we have re-optimised the cleaning agent, dwell time and mechanical assistance. With Microsolv NX, the time spent cleaning with a brush and high-pressure water was reduced by almost half. Staff now use the time saved to carry out other tasks. Read the success story
- Minimal mechanical action on a delicate surface: The aluminium moulds were not to be subjected to any chemical or mechanical damage. Of the four cleaners tested, Nova Safe S was most effective at removing polyol and isocyanate residues, whilst requiring as little mechanical assistance as possible. Read the success story
- An honest compromise: A company wanted to clean steel moulds in a single step without using volatile solvents subject to labelling requirements. With Topclean, it was possible to avoid the use of hazardous substances, although this meant adding an additional post-cleaning step. The customer made a conscious decision to do so. Read the success story
- Temperature as a limit: Heated rollers are often cleaned whilst hot. Highly volatile solvents evaporate immediately in such conditions. It is therefore essential to use a cleaner with a high flash point and to ensure the roller is at the correct temperature. More about roller cleaning
This is how we’ll proceed together
- Analysis: Contamination, surface, previous cleaning agent and procedure.
- Proposal: a cleaning agent and an initial adjustment of the mechanism, temperature and time.
- Test: with a free sample or during a demonstration at your site.
- Fine-tuning: We adjust the factors until we get the right result.
- Implementation: including guidance for your staff and the documents required for your risk assessment.
The consultation, sample and demonstration are free of charge and without obligation. Find out more: Technical Consultancy & Services.
Does your cleaning process take too long, fail to deliver consistent results, or require cleaning agents with hazard labels? Tell us about your application. We’ll work with you to find the right combination of chemicals, mechanical action, temperature and time.