A professional cleaning process is not complete without the identification of the surface, dirt, the choice of detergents and utensils, the identification of the necessary manpower. The basics that determine the process of professional cleaning are very well expressed in The Sinner Circle. This tool was invented in 1959 by dr. Herbert Sinner, chemical engineer in the German company Henkel, and was used in the process of washing textiles.

This circle always has 4 elements, which are inversely proportional. The four variables of The Sinner circle are: chemistry, temperature, contact time, mechanical effect.These four factors affect each other. Increasing the size of one factor automatically means that the total of the other three becomes smaller, instead, reducing the size of one factor automatically increases the size of other factors.

An extremely eloquent example is the process of washing dishes. If we choose to wash dirty dishes with cold water, the temperature factor is very small. This means that one or more of the other factors of Sinner's Circle must become larger. We need to rub harder (more mechanical effect), let the dishes soak longer (time factor) or use more detergent (chemistry).

If we use very hot water (temperature factor), we will have to act mechanically less, soak less time and / or use less detergent.

Therefore, it is fundamental to know each variable, so as to always carry out a quality cleaning, without causing degradation of the treated surface.

Chemistry

This is one of the fundamental factors, since it is always necessary to choose the product that best suits the cleaning mode.

The choice of solution/detergent depends on the dirt to be removed (maintenance detergents, degreaser, anti-limescale detergents, strippers, etc.), the type of surface.

The decisive factors in the use of detergents are: concentration, time of action and composition of the products used. The higher the concentration and/or the more aggressive the active substance, the better the cleaning performance.

But beware Excessively aggressive ingredients and excessively high concentrations can damage both the surfaces and the working utensils used.

Another important factor is the pH value. The pH value ranges from 0.0 to 14.00, where 0.0 is the strongest acid level and 14.0 is the strongest alkaline value.

In most cases, detergents with acidic pH are effective in combating limescale deposits and mineral dirt. Detergents with an alkaline pH have high efficiency against organic and inorganic oils and fats.

Temperature

The temperature of the water, room, or work surface also influences the final result. For this reason this element of The Sinner Circle has a very important role in professional cleaning.

In the case of degreasing action, a higher temperature contributes to better results, in a shorter time, using less detergent and mechanical force. The explanation is very simple: temperature contributes to the acceleration of the removal of dirt – especially fat.

CONTACT TIME

The time is influenced by the type of surface, the accumulated dirt, the detergent used (all of them require a minimum of time for action). Another factor is whether the cleaning action will be organized by manual application or with the cleaning machine.

Each product has well-defined characteristics, with time of action recommended by the manufacturer, based on the tests performed.

The longer the cleaning cycle, the better the cleaning performance. If the goal is to achieve as short a cycle as possible, the other factors must compensate accordingly.

MECHANICAL EFFECT

The Sinner circle is not complete without the element of mechanical force. It includes all the actions by which dirt is removed from the work surface.

This action can be manual(e.g. dusting with a cloth), or mechanical, in the case of the use of a specific machine or equipment for the performance of the activity.

Physical strength is important to remove dirt from an area and therefore it is essential to use the right equipment for an exceptional result.

In this sense, it is fundamental to know perfectly the tools that can be used in professional cleaning, since improper use can cause rapid damage to surfaces.

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