How to Clean and Maintain Sanitary Clamps

Sanitary clamps are one of the key elements in hygienic processing systems. These clamps are used to be taken apart and put back for maintenance very often, so it is of prime importance to take proper cleaning procedures for keeping a sanitary environment. 

Importance of Cleaning

Sanitary Clamps are made up of nine individual component parts, all of which are exposed to a variety of conditions. Discolouration occurs when the parts of the clamp come into contact with each other over time, allowing dirt ingress, crystallisation of cleaning agents, and wear from repetitive use. Without regular maintenance though, and if not cleaned properly, there is a risk of galling. 

Cleaning Process 

Our sanitary clamps, including those manufactured from high-grade stainless steels (316/304), are resistant to most cleaning agents common in the hygienic processing industries.

However there are a few guidelines to follow to ensure they get cleaned properly:

• Remove the Nut and Eyebolt: Remove these parts so that you can clean them separately without having to worry about contaminants getting into the threads.
• Wipe with Spor-Klenz: Clean surfaces with a lint-free wipe saturated with Spor-Klenz.
• Wipe with 70% IPA: Repeat cleaning using lint-free wipes dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
• Wash with CIP Products: Clean thoroughly with CIP COSA 72 (acid) and CIP COSA 95 (caustic).

Inspection of Sanitary Clamps After Cleaning

After the clamps are clean, inspect them visually. Be sure to pay close attention to the threads. Look for any of the following:

• Cleanliness and absence of debris.
• Residue from cleaning agents.
• Any signs of damage.

If you find any issues, re-clean the affected areas promptly.