The Basic Factors of Cleansing Explained with the Sinner's Circle
Good cleaning is essential in the food industry. Whether it concerns cleaning production areas, machines or tools: effective cleaning not only ensures food safety, but also extends the life of equipment and prevents unwanted contamination. One of the most commonly used models to optimize cleaning processes is the Sinner’s Circle. In this article, we explain the basic factors of effective cleaning using this model.
Hygienic process areaThe origin of Sinner’s Circle
Sinner’s Circle was developed by Dr. Herbert Sinner, a German chemist who worked at Henkel from 1932 to 1965. He introduced Sinner’s Circle in 1959 to gain insight into which factors together influence a cleaning process. His theory quickly became a standard in the food industry, healthcare and laundry sector, among others. The model is still used today to make cleaning processes more efficient, effective and sustainable.
The four factors of the model
The Sinner Circle shows that effective cleaning depends on four factors working together: temperature, chemistry, time and mechanical force. These factors work together to remove dirt, such as micro-organisms. When one of these factors decreases (for example, a lower temperature), one or more other factors must increase to achieve the same cleaning result.
Temperature
Temperature plays an important role in how dirt is dissolved and removed. Higher temperatures allow more dirt to be absorbed into the water more quickly. For example, a higher temperature ensures that:
- Fats melt faster, making them easier to remove.
- Oils become more fluid, making them easier to remove.
- Chemical reactions speed up, making cleaners more effective.
Higher temperatures can also have a negative effect. At higher temperatures, proteins will coagulate and stick to the surface.
When the temperature is lowered, this must be compensated for with, for example, extra chemistry, more mechanical force or longer exposure time. The optimum temperature depends on the type of contamination and the materials that are being cleaned.
Chemistry
Chemistry refers to the use of cleaning agents to effectively remove dirt, such as fats and proteins. The right chemical composition is essential for an optimal cleaning process. In addition, chemicals can also react with the dirt, making it easier to remove. For example, consider saponification: a reaction in which fats are converted into more easily removable residues.
The choice of a cleaning agent depends on the type of contamination (for example fat, protein or limescale).
There are  various types of cleaning agents:Â
- Alkaline cleaners – Effective against fats and proteins.
- Acidic cleaners – Suitable for removing limescale and mineral deposits.
- Neutral cleaners – Gentler on materials and often used for sensitive surfaces.
If the chemistry in the cleaning process is reduced, this must be compensated for by, for example, higher temperature, longer exposure time or extra mechanical force.
Time
Time gives cleaning agents the space to do their job effectively. A sufficiently long exposure time ensures that dirt is loosened and broken down.
- Too little time can result in residual dirt.
- Too much time can cause unnecessary costs and wear.
The optimum cleaning time depends on the type of dirt, amount of dirt, temperature and the chosen cleaning agent.
Mechanical force
Mechanical force refers to the physical support of the cleaning process. Think of:
- Manual cleaning – Scrubbing with brushes, sponges or cloths.
- High pressure cleaning – Spraying water or cleaning agent under high pressure.
- CIP systems (Cleaning in Place) – Automatic cleaning of installations with controlled flow and turbulence.
If mechanical force is limited, for example to protect sensitive equipment, then additional chemicals, higher temperature or longer time are needed to still achieve an effective result. Think of the heat exchanger of a steam pasteurizer, for example. This heat exchanger contains small channels through which a fast and large liquid steam is not feasible. For this reason, a strong cleaning agent is used for the steam pasteurizer.
Customised cleaning: every situation is unique
Every production environment and production process is different. Product types, hygiene standards, materials and human actions all require their own approach. That is why we always recommend customisation, with the Sinner Circle as the basis.
Would you like to know how to optimise your cleaning process?
