Testing And Selecting A Detergent Cleaning System

By Michael Moussourakis, Jeff Phillips, Stacy Silverstein, and Malcolm McLaughlin

Testing and selecting an aqueous cleaning system involves a seven-step process.

1. Identify the key goals of the system.

2. Select an evaluation method to determine whether key goals or cleaning criteria are satisfied.

3. Select a test cleaning system that includes a cleaning method, rinse method, and drying method.

4. Select a test substrate for cleaning.

5. Select a test soil and method for applying the test soil to the test substrate.

6. Select an aqueous cleaner for evaluation.

7. Once the test system yields the initial desired results, perform additional testing to optimize the system.

Each step is discussed in detail below. In this chapter of The Aqueous Cleaning Handbook, we walk through those steps to help you optimize your aqueous cleaning process.