Do your brushes clog?

Discover how you can solve this frustrating problem

One of the most common issues when using brushes for cleaning is that the bristles become clogged with dirt, grime, and food particles. This can happen with almost any type of debris, and once it happens, the effectiveness of your brush drops significantly. You may find that your cleaning process becomes less efficient, requiring more time and effort to achieve the same results.

If the brush isn’t properly cleaned between uses, the clogging will only get worse over time. Not only does this make cleaning more difficult, but it also increases the risk of contamination. Debris trapped in the bristles can attract pests and lead to unsanitary conditions. A study by Campden BRI found that 47% of sampled cleaning tools were contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes, highlighting the critical need for proper tool hygiene.

Major global food safety standards like BRC v.7 and FSSC 22000 emphasize the importance of cleaning cleaning tools. Neglecting this step can lead to serious consequences, including product recalls, damage to your brand reputation, and non-compliance during audits. It’s essential to maintain high hygiene standards not just for compliance, but for the safety of your consumers as well.

Protect your brand and your business

Ensuring food safety through proper tool selection and maintenance is crucial for every operation. Choosing the right tools can greatly impact your hygiene outcomes and overall efficiency. One key innovation that has made a big difference is Vikan's Ultra Safe Technology (UST).

Tool Selection

Before UST was introduced, many traditional brushes had design flaws that made them hard to clean. Studies conducted by Vikan and independent labs, published in the Journal of Hygienic Engineering and Design, showed that all standard brushes had significant hygiene issues. UST addressed these problems with two major improvements:

1. UST eliminates deep holes and crevices that are common in drilled, stapled, or resin-set brushes. These areas often trap contaminants and are hard to clean thoroughly. By removing these traps, UST significantly reduces the risk of bacterial growth and cross-contamination.

2. The unique bristle pattern not only enhances cleaning performance but also makes the brush easier to clean between bristle bundles. This design helps reduce clogging and ensures better long-term hygiene and durability.

Tool Maintenance

Vikan recommends conducting a risk assessment to determine the best cleaning procedure for your tools. Factors such as the type of food being produced, the surface to be cleaned, whether wet or dry cleaning is needed, and whether the tool comes into direct contact with food should all be considered.

The decision tree below provides a general guide to help you think through the cleaning process for your tools. However, for more detailed guidance, we encourage you to download our White Paper titled “Optimising Food Safety Through Good Cleaning Tool Maintenance” or reach out to your local Vikan representative.

For more comprehensive advice, please download our free White Paper or contact us directly. We’re here to help you improve hygiene, ensure audit compliance, and enhance your overall cleaning efficiency.

Here to help

Why not try Ultra Safe Technology and see how it can transform your cleaning routine? We offer free samples of our UST brushes and brooms—contact our customer service team today to learn more and start improving your hygiene standards.