How To Clean Plastic Pallets the Right Way
One of the major benefits of using plastic pallets for storage by ORBIS over traditional wooden ones is their ability to be sanitized. Because plastic is a non-porous material, you can reliably wash it with soap and disinfectants and ensure its cleanliness for future storage tasks.
Knowing how to clean plastic pallets the right way ensures that you approach this process correctly. Whether you’re trying to remove specific contaminants from pallets or just want to generally clean them between uses, review this guide for assistance.
Understand the Difference Between Cleaning vs. Sanitizing
Cleaning and sanitizing are two distinct processes that leave you with different results. Cleaning is a general term for removing dirt and organic matter from a surface. Meanwhile, sanitizing involves killing germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Sanitizing requires an extra step beyond cleaning and isn’t necessary for all situations. However, you may want to sanitize a plastic pallet if:
- It has had known contact with viruses or harmful bacteria, such as from raw meat or dairy
- It is returning from a country where the risk of contamination is high
- You use the pallet to handle materials that must remain sterile
- Your pallets must meet the highest standards for cleanliness
Most sanitizing procedures won’t kill all germs and bacteria but will significantly reduce these contaminants. Be sure to follow plastic pallet sanitation guidelines if you’re trying to minimize the risk of contamination.
Three Methods of Cleaning and Sanitizing Plastic Pallets
If you’re wondering how to clean plastic pallets, the first rule is to clean and disinfect them between uses to prevent dirt and grime from spreading to future loads. You can choose between three popular methods of plastic pallet cleaning.
Manual Cleaning
Plastic pallets respond well to manual cleaning with soap and water. You can use a soft cloth or a brush to apply liquid detergent to the pallet, scrub it onto the surface, and then rinse it away.
Before applying soap to a plastic pallet, use an air compressor or vacuum to remove debris like grass and dirt. Follow a standardized procedure to apply soap and wash the pallets to ensure they all receive the same level of care.
If you want to sanitize your pallets instead of just cleaning them, use a substance that kills microbes. Follow the instructions for how long the cleaner should be in contact with the pallet before rinsing.
Manually cleaning pallets requires no special equipment, but it can be time consuming. It’s usually best for companies that rotate out only a few pallets daily.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning kills bacteria and sterilizes plastic pallets. This relatively simple method for how to clean plastic pallets has become popular in the pallet industry for its speed and ease of use. You can purchase a handheld steamer to apply steam directly to the pallet surface or use industrial equipment to steam multiple pallets at a time.
For the steam to effectively kill germs and viruses, ensure the temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that steam may not remove stains and large debris as well as manual cleaning, so you may want to use steam cleaning as a second step after wiping down the pallets with soap and water.
Automated High-Pressure Washers
If your business goes through dozens of pallets daily and needs a fast method of keeping them clean, consider investing in automated high-pressure washers. These machines use strong water pressure to eliminate dirt, stains, and debris from the pallet surface. You can control the water speed and nozzle size depending on the number of pallets you are cleaning and your cleanliness needs.
Pair the water pressure with liquid cleaners and disinfectants to remove lingering germs and bacteria.
Tips for Keeping Plastic Pallets Clean
The above methods can help you create a standardized process for cleaning your plastic pallets. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind as you learn how to clean plastic pallets:
- When sanitizing plastic pallets, use clean towels to wipe the sanitizer from the surface to prevent contamination. Alternatively, allow pallets to air dry in sanitary environments.
- Clean and sanitize pallets frequently — at least after every use if you are in the food industry.
- Whenever you disinfect plastic pallets, handle them with gloves to prevent recontamination.
- Train all employees on the proper plastic pallet cleaning protocols.
Source Plastic Pallets From ORBIS
Now that you know how to clean plastic pallets, it’s time to find a supplier for these eco-friendly, durable, lightweight pallet solutions. ORBIS is your go-to provider of versatile, high-quality plastic pallets. We can advise you on the best ways to clean plastic pallets after use, help you optimize storage and delivery systems, and even recycle your used pallets at the end of their lifespans.
Call our sales team today at 800-890-7292 — or use our contact form — to learn more.