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Stainless Steel....It's like Superman

Posted on Wed, Sep 04, 2013 @ 02:24 PM

Written by contributing editor Larry Haake.


Proper care and maintenance will make your investment in stainless steel kennel runs and cages appear as if they were new for many years.

Superman would be indestructible…if not for that nasty Kryptonite! Well, the analogy holds true for stainless steel because it has its own forms of “Kryptonite”. Caustic cleaners and the improper use of approved cleaners can degrade the beautiful luster of stainless steel and in worse case scenarios, actually corrode high grade stainless steel.                                        

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When Canine parvovirus reared its head back in the late 1970’s, the literature at that time suggested that chlorine bleach was an effective virucide for this new disease. What was recommended, and is still effective today, was a solution of 1 part household type chlorine bleach mixed with 30 parts water. This solution needs a 10 minute contact time with a surface suspected to be contaminated with this virus. After the 10 minute exposure time has elapsed, the surface needs to be rinsed with clean water.

As is human nature, these specific instructions were frequently altered. The “More is Better” axiom is really detrimental to stainless steel with regard to chlorine bleach. The 1 part bleach to 30 parts water would often become a couple of “glugs” from the bleach bottle into a bucket of water. The 10 minute contact time and then a complete fresh water rinse became, “Just let it air dry. That will surely kill everything”.

People with stainless steel runs and cages that looked great for many years prior to the emergence of Canine parvovirus were stunned to start seeing “rust” on their equipment. This was because of the use of chlorine bleach to disinfect stainless steel. Bleach was not commonly used as a disinfectant on stainless steel before the emergence Canine parvovirus.

Today, many tested and approved cleaners and disinfectants are available to safely destroy a wide array of pathogens that may be present on your stainless steel equipment. Be sure to closely follow the instructions on these products. These products have various contact times required to be effective and they all require rinsing with clean water after the contact time.  Whenever possible, you should also towel dry your stainless steel equipment after rinsing.   
The bottom line is, don’t use chlorine bleach to disinfect your stainless steel runs and cages in your facility. It is the “Kryptonite” of stainless steel. 

Tags: veterinary equipment