Question:
What is Alconox's aqueous cleaner recommendation for cleaning surface of delicate AR coated optics and diffraction gratings from dicing particle contamination?
Answer:
Liquinox Critical Cleaning Liquid Detergent is widely used for cleaning AR (anti-reflective) coated optics. The recommended working concentration is 0.5 -1.0% at ambient temperature, followed by adequate rinsing. For more technical information, review the Liquinox technical bulletin.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Remove Biofilm on SS
Question:
How do I remove biofilm on stainless steel?
Answer:
Alconox's recommendation to remove biofilm on stainless steel is to use a two step process entailing an alkaline cleaner, Solujet, followed by an acidic cleaner, Citrajet. In our experience we get the best results when the first step of 3% Solujet (alkaline cleaner) at 75 deg C for 30 minutes followed by a cursory rinse. Then the second step of 3% Citrajet (acidic cleaner) at 75 deg C for 30 minutes followed by a thorough rinse. Both Solujet and Citrajet are low foaming cleaners.
Additionally, we recommend the intermittent use of Tergazyme, an enzyme cleaner, as a maintenance procedure that will completely remove all dead cells and traces of polysaccharide biofilm. This is beneficial because it in turn slows down the formation of biofilm and allows the regular cleaning cycle (Solujet - Citrajet) to clean effectively for more cycles. It is important to note that Tergazyme is a powder that you typically mix 1% in cool to warm water (35 deg C would be fine, do not exceed 50 deg C - to ensure integrity and activity of the enzyme). Tergazyme is a high foaming cleaner and would not be suitable for a spray-in-air clean-in-place system. You can pump and gently agitate Tergazyme solutions; however you cannot employ high agitation at an air/solution interface without getting excessive foam.
For product technical bulletins and MSDS, visit Alconox.com for easy download.
How do I remove biofilm on stainless steel?
Answer:
Alconox's recommendation to remove biofilm on stainless steel is to use a two step process entailing an alkaline cleaner, Solujet, followed by an acidic cleaner, Citrajet. In our experience we get the best results when the first step of 3% Solujet (alkaline cleaner) at 75 deg C for 30 minutes followed by a cursory rinse. Then the second step of 3% Citrajet (acidic cleaner) at 75 deg C for 30 minutes followed by a thorough rinse. Both Solujet and Citrajet are low foaming cleaners.
Additionally, we recommend the intermittent use of Tergazyme, an enzyme cleaner, as a maintenance procedure that will completely remove all dead cells and traces of polysaccharide biofilm. This is beneficial because it in turn slows down the formation of biofilm and allows the regular cleaning cycle (Solujet - Citrajet) to clean effectively for more cycles. It is important to note that Tergazyme is a powder that you typically mix 1% in cool to warm water (35 deg C would be fine, do not exceed 50 deg C - to ensure integrity and activity of the enzyme). Tergazyme is a high foaming cleaner and would not be suitable for a spray-in-air clean-in-place system. You can pump and gently agitate Tergazyme solutions; however you cannot employ high agitation at an air/solution interface without getting excessive foam.
For product technical bulletins and MSDS, visit Alconox.com for easy download.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Aqueous Degreaser
Question:
Do you have an aqueous degreaser to replace chlorinated solvents?
Answer:
Chlorinated solvents clean by solvating residues. Many polar organic and inorganic residues are soluble in chlorinated solvents. The solvents are typically used in baths where the residue is dissolved in to the bath; or the solvents are used with rags or wipes where the residue is dissolved and transferred to the rag or wipe; or in some cases the solvents are used in vapor degreasers where the solvent condenses on to the substrate and drips off in to the tank carrying the residue with it. In all cases, you typically keep cleaning to the point where enough residue is removed and you are now left with clean enough solvent on the substrate. In effect, these solvents are self rinsing. Once cleaning and rinsing are completed, then the last of the solvent evaporates away to dryness.
Aqueous cleaners can quite easily be used to remove polar organic and inorganic residues. In fact depending on what cleaner is used, aqueous cleaners can additionally remove particulates, oxides and a range of non-polar and other organic residues that are not soluble in chlorinated solvents. The method of use and cleaning mechanisms for using aqueous cleaners are quite different from solvent cleaning. Aqueous cleaners work by emulsifying, dispersing, wetting, chelating, dissolving, and saponifying residues. The big difference is that aqueous cleaners need to be rinsed with water. Aqueous cleaners also benefit from using heat, whereas for safety reasons, you usually do not heat chlorinated solvents except in vapor degreasers. You typically need to change the cleaning procedures to switch from a chlorinated solvent to an aqueous cleaner.
If you were using soak tanks to clean with chlorinated solvent, you can typically use a soak tank with warm 1% Liquinox followed by a thorough water rinse to get comparable or better cleaning. If you are using a vapor degreaser, typically you would use a warm or hot 1% Liquinox solution in an ultrasonic tank followed by a thorough water rinse to get comparable or better cleaning. If you were using chlorinated solvents with rags, you can often use rags of warm 1% Liquinox to clean with, followed by whatever best rinse is practical using other rinse water rags or ideally a running water rinse. The kinds of residues that are best removed by chlorinated solvents can typically be readily removed by Liquinox.
One other key difference between aqueous cleaners and chlorinated solvents is that the rinse water used can cause rust on certain kinds of tool steel, mild steel and iron. Since Liquinox is a residue-free cleaner, there are no corrosion inhibiting residues that will survive the rinse process. Once the detergent is rinsed away, any dissolved oxygen in the rinse water can attack the steel and cause rust. Typically rusting will not occur during cleaning, but during rinsing. You can minimize and control any rusting by being sure to rinse with cool ambient temperature water and the drying promptly by a water removing process rather than a water evaporating process. Water removing drying processes include wiping, blowing off with air or gas jets, dipping in isopropanol or other drying solvents. On stainless steel, plastics, ceramics and most other substrates there are not corrosion concerns with mild aqueous cleaners like Liquinox.
For more information, please download the LIQUINOX technical bulletin.
Do you have an aqueous degreaser to replace chlorinated solvents?
Answer:
Chlorinated solvents clean by solvating residues. Many polar organic and inorganic residues are soluble in chlorinated solvents. The solvents are typically used in baths where the residue is dissolved in to the bath; or the solvents are used with rags or wipes where the residue is dissolved and transferred to the rag or wipe; or in some cases the solvents are used in vapor degreasers where the solvent condenses on to the substrate and drips off in to the tank carrying the residue with it. In all cases, you typically keep cleaning to the point where enough residue is removed and you are now left with clean enough solvent on the substrate. In effect, these solvents are self rinsing. Once cleaning and rinsing are completed, then the last of the solvent evaporates away to dryness.
Aqueous cleaners can quite easily be used to remove polar organic and inorganic residues. In fact depending on what cleaner is used, aqueous cleaners can additionally remove particulates, oxides and a range of non-polar and other organic residues that are not soluble in chlorinated solvents. The method of use and cleaning mechanisms for using aqueous cleaners are quite different from solvent cleaning. Aqueous cleaners work by emulsifying, dispersing, wetting, chelating, dissolving, and saponifying residues. The big difference is that aqueous cleaners need to be rinsed with water. Aqueous cleaners also benefit from using heat, whereas for safety reasons, you usually do not heat chlorinated solvents except in vapor degreasers. You typically need to change the cleaning procedures to switch from a chlorinated solvent to an aqueous cleaner.
If you were using soak tanks to clean with chlorinated solvent, you can typically use a soak tank with warm 1% Liquinox followed by a thorough water rinse to get comparable or better cleaning. If you are using a vapor degreaser, typically you would use a warm or hot 1% Liquinox solution in an ultrasonic tank followed by a thorough water rinse to get comparable or better cleaning. If you were using chlorinated solvents with rags, you can often use rags of warm 1% Liquinox to clean with, followed by whatever best rinse is practical using other rinse water rags or ideally a running water rinse. The kinds of residues that are best removed by chlorinated solvents can typically be readily removed by Liquinox.
One other key difference between aqueous cleaners and chlorinated solvents is that the rinse water used can cause rust on certain kinds of tool steel, mild steel and iron. Since Liquinox is a residue-free cleaner, there are no corrosion inhibiting residues that will survive the rinse process. Once the detergent is rinsed away, any dissolved oxygen in the rinse water can attack the steel and cause rust. Typically rusting will not occur during cleaning, but during rinsing. You can minimize and control any rusting by being sure to rinse with cool ambient temperature water and the drying promptly by a water removing process rather than a water evaporating process. Water removing drying processes include wiping, blowing off with air or gas jets, dipping in isopropanol or other drying solvents. On stainless steel, plastics, ceramics and most other substrates there are not corrosion concerns with mild aqueous cleaners like Liquinox.
For more information, please download the LIQUINOX technical bulletin.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Clean Tough Cosmetic Residues
Question:
What Alconox brands are recommended for cleaning tough cosmetic residues off of manufacturing equipment?
Answer:
Whether you're scrubbing 1,500-gallon kettles or wrestling with plastic tubes and fillers, you need to ensure that the last batch of product you processed really is history. That's where Alconox cleaners come in. Proven detergents such as CITRANOX, TERGAZYME, and ALCONOX wash away your most tenacious cleaning problems-without leaving residues.
CITRANOX excels in removing trace metals and oxides—including titanium dioxide.
TERGAZYME conquers proteinaceous residues.
ALCONOX makes short work of silicon residues and even tackles waterproof mascara in heated immersion cleaning.
Whatever the surface-glass, plastic, metal, or otherwise- Alconox gets it critically clean. Visit us for more information.
What Alconox brands are recommended for cleaning tough cosmetic residues off of manufacturing equipment?
Answer:
Whether you're scrubbing 1,500-gallon kettles or wrestling with plastic tubes and fillers, you need to ensure that the last batch of product you processed really is history. That's where Alconox cleaners come in. Proven detergents such as CITRANOX, TERGAZYME, and ALCONOX wash away your most tenacious cleaning problems-without leaving residues.
CITRANOX excels in removing trace metals and oxides—including titanium dioxide.
TERGAZYME conquers proteinaceous residues.
ALCONOX makes short work of silicon residues and even tackles waterproof mascara in heated immersion cleaning.
Whatever the surface-glass, plastic, metal, or otherwise- Alconox gets it critically clean. Visit us for more information.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Cleaning Cosmetic Operations
Question:
Want to make cleaning cosmetic operations cheaper and more efficient?
Answer:
Alconox can help! Alconox stretches your cleaning budget in two key ways. First, Alconox detergents make your cleaning jobs faster and easier. Scrubbing and rinsing big stainless-steel kettles can take hours.
Alconox can shorten-or even eliminate- manual scrubbing time. And that means saving money. Second, Alconox detergents are highly concentrated for economical use. A little bit of any one of them goes a very long way.
Our experts can help you improve your cleaning procedures, install new procedures, eliminate cross-contamination and ensure compliance with FDA standards. Whatever your cleaning problem, Alconox can help you solve it.
Alconox offers a broad range of powders and liquids for manual, machine, clean-in-place, and ultrasonic critical cleaning-all free-rinsing, corrosion-inhibiting, and biodegradable.
Visit for more information.
Want to make cleaning cosmetic operations cheaper and more efficient?
Answer:
Alconox can help! Alconox stretches your cleaning budget in two key ways. First, Alconox detergents make your cleaning jobs faster and easier. Scrubbing and rinsing big stainless-steel kettles can take hours.
Alconox can shorten-or even eliminate- manual scrubbing time. And that means saving money. Second, Alconox detergents are highly concentrated for economical use. A little bit of any one of them goes a very long way.
Our experts can help you improve your cleaning procedures, install new procedures, eliminate cross-contamination and ensure compliance with FDA standards. Whatever your cleaning problem, Alconox can help you solve it.
Alconox offers a broad range of powders and liquids for manual, machine, clean-in-place, and ultrasonic critical cleaning-all free-rinsing, corrosion-inhibiting, and biodegradable.
Visit for more information.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Removing DNA
Question:
What does Alconox recommend for removing DNA from laboratory equipment?
Answer:
Since DNA is stable to alkaline hydrolysis, we recommend testing 1% Citranox Liquid Acid cleaner, pH 2.5. Acids at high temperatures are capable of breaking the DNA molecule into its components. Note the working concentration Citranox recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
Citranox is liquid acid cleaner for manual, soak and ultrasonic cleaning. It is corrosion-inhibited for glassware, metals, and plastic. Following cleaning with Citranox adequate rinsing with water is required. Citranox has rinse aids that leave no interfering residues on the surface. Before exposing laboratory equipment to any high temperature cleaning or acid cleaning, testing needs to conducted to ensure no damage to equipment surface or substrate. Also, do not mix bleach hypochlorite with Citranox because in sufficient quantities the mixture can form toxic chlorine gas, as they can acidify the bleach solution to below pH 7.
At Alconox we understand how important it is to have clean laboratory equipment, and recognize that any "leftover" DNA (or protein or RNA) could potentially contaminate your next experiment, we suggest that you analytically test for removal of these substances.
Click here for Citranox technical bulletin.
What does Alconox recommend for removing DNA from laboratory equipment?
Answer:
Since DNA is stable to alkaline hydrolysis, we recommend testing 1% Citranox Liquid Acid cleaner, pH 2.5. Acids at high temperatures are capable of breaking the DNA molecule into its components. Note the working concentration Citranox recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
Citranox is liquid acid cleaner for manual, soak and ultrasonic cleaning. It is corrosion-inhibited for glassware, metals, and plastic. Following cleaning with Citranox adequate rinsing with water is required. Citranox has rinse aids that leave no interfering residues on the surface. Before exposing laboratory equipment to any high temperature cleaning or acid cleaning, testing needs to conducted to ensure no damage to equipment surface or substrate. Also, do not mix bleach hypochlorite with Citranox because in sufficient quantities the mixture can form toxic chlorine gas, as they can acidify the bleach solution to below pH 7.
At Alconox we understand how important it is to have clean laboratory equipment, and recognize that any "leftover" DNA (or protein or RNA) could potentially contaminate your next experiment, we suggest that you analytically test for removal of these substances.
Click here for Citranox technical bulletin.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Removing RNA
Question:
What is Alconox's recommendation for removing RNA from laboratory equipment?
Answer:
The basis of our two recommendations for the removal of RNA from laboratory equipment is the principle that alkali can hydrolyze RNA down to mononucleotides.
First recommendation requires adding bleach hypochlorite to 1% Alconox Powdered Precision Cleaner (pH 9.5). Alconox Powdered Precision Cleaner is designed for manual, soak, and ultrasonic tank cleaning of glass, metal, and plastic. No interfering residues will be left behind when rinsed with adequate amounts of RNA-free water. Note the working concentration Alconox recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
Our second recommendation is 0.5 - 1% Detojet Low Foaming Liquid Detergent pH 12. Detojet is a liquid detergent that can be used manually, in ultrasonic tanks as well as in labware and machine washers. It is corrosion inhibited for glass, metal and plastic and when properly rinsed, leaves no interfering residues. When working with Detojet appropriate safety precautions need to be taken when handling, i.e. safety goggles, gloves, lab coat, etc. Detojet contains KOH and an active chlorine compound, so there is no need to add bleach. The working concentration of Detojet recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
In either case, Alconox +bleach or Detojet alone, there needs to be cleaner - surface contact time that you will need to determine. Again, the basis of this is alkali can hydrolyze RNA down to mononucleotides, but the alkali needs to come in contact with the surface for 8-16 hours to ensure hydrolysis is complete. This can be accelerated as the temperature of the solution is increased, as overnight at 37 C or 1-2 hours at 65 or 75 deg C. Following contact period with alkali cleaner, adequate rinsing with RNA-free water is required. Also, before exposing laboratory equipment to any alkali for extended periods of time, testing needs to conducted to ensure no damage to equipment surface or substrate.
At Alconox we understand how important it is to have clean laboratory equipment, and recognize that any "leftover" RNA (or DNA or protein) could potentially contaminate your next experiment, we suggest that you analytically test for removal of these substances.
Click here for Alconox technical bulletin.
Click here for Detojet technical bulletin.
What is Alconox's recommendation for removing RNA from laboratory equipment?
Answer:
The basis of our two recommendations for the removal of RNA from laboratory equipment is the principle that alkali can hydrolyze RNA down to mononucleotides.
First recommendation requires adding bleach hypochlorite to 1% Alconox Powdered Precision Cleaner (pH 9.5). Alconox Powdered Precision Cleaner is designed for manual, soak, and ultrasonic tank cleaning of glass, metal, and plastic. No interfering residues will be left behind when rinsed with adequate amounts of RNA-free water. Note the working concentration Alconox recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
Our second recommendation is 0.5 - 1% Detojet Low Foaming Liquid Detergent pH 12. Detojet is a liquid detergent that can be used manually, in ultrasonic tanks as well as in labware and machine washers. It is corrosion inhibited for glass, metal and plastic and when properly rinsed, leaves no interfering residues. When working with Detojet appropriate safety precautions need to be taken when handling, i.e. safety goggles, gloves, lab coat, etc. Detojet contains KOH and an active chlorine compound, so there is no need to add bleach. The working concentration of Detojet recommended here is a starting point, higher concentrations may be required to achieve desired results.
In either case, Alconox +bleach or Detojet alone, there needs to be cleaner - surface contact time that you will need to determine. Again, the basis of this is alkali can hydrolyze RNA down to mononucleotides, but the alkali needs to come in contact with the surface for 8-16 hours to ensure hydrolysis is complete. This can be accelerated as the temperature of the solution is increased, as overnight at 37 C or 1-2 hours at 65 or 75 deg C. Following contact period with alkali cleaner, adequate rinsing with RNA-free water is required. Also, before exposing laboratory equipment to any alkali for extended periods of time, testing needs to conducted to ensure no damage to equipment surface or substrate.
At Alconox we understand how important it is to have clean laboratory equipment, and recognize that any "leftover" RNA (or DNA or protein) could potentially contaminate your next experiment, we suggest that you analytically test for removal of these substances.
Click here for Alconox technical bulletin.
Click here for Detojet technical bulletin.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Tergazyme Enzyme Cleaner
Question:
Can bleach be added to Tergazyme cleaner?
Answer:
Do not add bleach to Tergazyme, as it will denature the enzyme and render it inactive, in fact the enzyme in Tergazyme will be inactivated within seconds to exposure of 300 ppm hypochlorite, and within 2 minutes to exposure of 3.5 ppm hypochlorite at 100 deg F (37 deg C). Thus, it is not recommended to add bleach to Tergazyme.
Click here for Tergazyme technical bulletin.
Can bleach be added to Tergazyme cleaner?
Answer:
Do not add bleach to Tergazyme, as it will denature the enzyme and render it inactive, in fact the enzyme in Tergazyme will be inactivated within seconds to exposure of 300 ppm hypochlorite, and within 2 minutes to exposure of 3.5 ppm hypochlorite at 100 deg F (37 deg C). Thus, it is not recommended to add bleach to Tergazyme.
Click here for Tergazyme technical bulletin.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Tergazyme for Cleaning Tissue, Blood, Protein
Question:
What does Alconox recommend for cleaning tissue, blood and protein off stainless steel exam and sampling equipment?
Answer:
Tergazyme, enzyme active powdered detergent, is Alconox's recommendation for cleaning tissue, blood and protein from glass, metals and plastics. Tergazyme has been used to clean filter membranes, fermenters and bioreactors as well. This detergent contains a protease that is excellent for cleaning of proteins, tissue, and body fluids and is designed for manual, soak, and ultrasonic cleaning methods. With proper rinsing leaves no interfering residues on the surface. Use at 1% (in solution it is stable for 8 hours). pH 9.5
Click here for Tergazyme technical bulletin.
What does Alconox recommend for cleaning tissue, blood and protein off stainless steel exam and sampling equipment?
Answer:
Tergazyme, enzyme active powdered detergent, is Alconox's recommendation for cleaning tissue, blood and protein from glass, metals and plastics. Tergazyme has been used to clean filter membranes, fermenters and bioreactors as well. This detergent contains a protease that is excellent for cleaning of proteins, tissue, and body fluids and is designed for manual, soak, and ultrasonic cleaning methods. With proper rinsing leaves no interfering residues on the surface. Use at 1% (in solution it is stable for 8 hours). pH 9.5
Click here for Tergazyme technical bulletin.
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