skip to Main Content

The logistics industry deals with the entire process of planning, executing and controlling the transportation and storage of goods from one point to another. An important aspect of these operations is the cleanliness of the crates used for transportation and storage.
Crates of different sizes, shapes and dimensions are used by different industries. Crates may be long, small, stackable, foldable, and open or closed with a lid. Whatever the type of crate, its cleanliness is paramount and therefore, logistics service providers need to use appropriate crate washer.

Factors Influencing Crate Cleaning

Cleaning of crates is a critical operation and its efficiency depends on several factors.
First, you need to understand the level of cleaning that is required. For example, crates for use in the food industry need to be scrupulously clean to avoid contamination of the materials they hold; crates used to hold automotive parts may not require meeting such stringent norms.
Several cleaning equipment and cleaning agents are available for the cleaning of crates. Which one specifically you need to use depends on the material of which the crate is constructed and the nature of the contaminants to be removed.
It is important the cleaning agent is compatible with the material of the crate or you may find that the cleaning process has damaged the crate, sometimes even rendering it unfit for use.
Water plays an important role in most crate washing procedures and it is vital that you use the right quality of water – at least potable if not deionized water – to ensure efficient cleaning. If the water is impure or high in ionic content, it can interfere with the function of the cleaning agent, resulting in an inferior cleaning process.
Besides, if the water contains a significant proportion of microorganisms, it leaves behind these contaminants and this can cause damage of the materials held in the crate.
The other important factors that affect the cleaning process include the time for which the crate is exposed to the cleaning agent. Generally, greater the time of this exposure, the better is the action of the cleaning agent on the dirt and other contaminants on the crate surface.
Often, increasing the temperature tends to ensure a more efficient cleaning but you have to make sure that higher temperatures do not cause any damage of the crate or reduce the efficiency of the cleaning agent being used. Force of cleaning is also important and often, crate washers have special jets to deliver pressurized water to dislodge dirt that may be stubbornly clinging to the crate.
Crates are an important component of the logistics industry. Designing a sound cleaning protocol for crate cleaning and validating it is crucial to ensuring they stay in good condition.

Back To Top