Get ready for 2026: The ultimate cleaning kit with Foam Cleaner

2026 is just around the corner. For many food manufacturers, this means preparing and optimising production. But while the big picture is being reviewed, manual cleaning equipment is often left behind. 

In the run-up to Christmas, we see an increase in orders for our popular foam cleaner hose. This often happens in connection with internal audits, where the condition of the equipment is checked to ensure smooth operation in the new year. But this is where the mistake typically occurs: many forget to upgrade the supplementary equipment. This is often because it can be difficult to figure out which components fit together to achieve the optimal effect. 

The result is that you end up with a brand new, high-performance hose mounted on worn couplings or a leaky gun. This is like putting new tyres on a car with defective brakes. We remove the doubt and give you a deeper insight into one of our most popular cleaning hoses and which accessories give you the ultimate cleaning kit. 

Before we dive into the individual components, it is worth taking a look at the system in which the equipment will operate. In the food industry, low-pressure systems (typically 20-25 bar) are the standard, and there are good reasons for this. Unlike high-pressure cleaning, which risks atomising bacteria and damaging sensitive machine parts, low pressure ensures effective cleaning. 

When investing in equipment for low-pressure systems, you need to be aware of the flow rate and chemical resistance. The equipment must be able to handle the large amounts of water required to move residues effectively. At the same time, seals and materials must withstand daily exposure to cleaning agents. If your components are not calibrated for the exact pressure and flow, you risk ineffective low-pressure cleaning. 

Every effective cleaning process starts with the connection between the water outlet and the operator. And this is where a cleaning hose comes into the picture. For years, our Foam Cleaner has been one of the favourites among our customers in companies such as slaughterhouses, dairies and breweries. This is mainly because it performs really well in several areas: 

• Material and resistance: The hose is made of soft PVC with a smooth surface, making it robust enough to withstand working pressures of up to 50 bar. 
• Chemical resistance: The choice of material makes it resistant to both animal fats and the chemicals used for foam application. Where standard hoses quickly swell or crack when exposed to these fats, foam cleaner retains its shape.
• Ergonomics and safety: Flexibility is key, as a stiff hose is difficult to work with and strains the operator's strength. Foam Cleaner makes the job easier and reduces the risk of damage to equipment when the hose is pulled around corners. 

But remember: even the best hose is only a means of transporting water if the other parts do not work together. 

Ensuring a cleaning process that is both ergonomically sound and hygienically optimal requires more than just a tight hose. It requires a complete setup, where several components contribute to making the cleaning routine effective. 

The low-pressure gun is the operator's primary tool, and the choice of it has a significant impact on both water consumption and the working environment. We recommend our AFT low-pressure gun RL82, which combines an ergonomic grip with a robust stainless interior. The construction can withstand the everyday knocks of a busy production environment, while the capacity of 200 litres/minute ensures full utilisation of the system's flow for effective rinsing. 

Where the gun provides control, the lance provides reach. In a busy production environment, there are many hard-to-reach corners, and here we recommend our flushing lance. With an insulated handle, it protects the operator's hands from the heat of the water and ensures a firm grip. It is available in lengths from 500 to 2000 mm, so you can move the water right up close to the dirt without straining your back with poor working postures. 

Nozzles and couplings are often the parts that receive the least attention. Until they start to leak, that is. We recommend using colour-coded nozzles, such as our foam nozzle (white code), which is used for foam application in low-pressure systems. The colour makes it easy to identify the function and minimises operating errors. The connector is made of stainless steel and impact-resistant composite, which guarantees both tightness and long durability in a demanding environment. 

The low-pressure coupling housing is the part you use to connect the hose to the inlet. When you click the housing into place, it locks the inlet in place and gives you a tight connection that stays in place even when you drag the hose around during cleaning. This means that the water flows steadily without dripping or pressure loss. You can choose the low-pressure coupling housing with or without rubber protection. With rubber protection, you get a solution that absorbs shocks if the equipment hits the floor or furniture.

If you want to take good care of your new hose, a hose reel is a good place to start. It helps to systematise cleaning so that the equipment always has its fixed place and is easy to access. We recommend our stainless hose reel AFT 1200-1300 AV. which is constructed in AISI 304 stainless steel and equipped with a powerful spring system. By mounting the hose on the hose reel, you significantly extend the life of the hose, as you protect it from unnecessary wear and heavy vehicles. At the same time, you ensure free walking areas and avoid potentially dangerous tripping accidents. 

Want to see more of our Foam Cleaner? Watch the video as we go through the hose and accessories that complete your installation. 

Why is it good to think in terms of complete sets rather than individual parts? Because efficiency comes when all parts are designed to work together. When you choose a complete cleaning kit, where the foam cleaner hose is paired with the right components and cleaning supplies, you know that everything fits together from the start. You eliminate the weak links in the chain and don't have to spend time troubleshooting leaks or components that don't fit together. By upgrading to the full setup, you minimise downtime and maintenance when production is running at full pressure in the new year. 

Are you unsure about the dimensions of your foam cleaner or how much equipment you need to optimally cover your needs? Call us on +45 7020 0422 or write to inquiry@alfotech.eu, and we will help you achieve your goals before the New Year.