The best practices for cleaning and sanitizing an enclosed refrigerated trailer include regularly removing dirt and debris, using appropriate disinfectants (such as peracetic acid), conducting weekly deep cleaning, and checking seals. This can reduce failure rates by 30% and improve safety and efficiency in transportation.

Developing a Cleaning and Sanitizing Plan

Optimal ways you should clean and sanitize an enclosed refrigerated trailer involve a plan and, even more importantly, its execution. By creating an organized cleaning and sanitizing schedule, it can eliminate cross-contamination risks, as well as allow the trailer to last longer to minimize equipment expenses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that their data has estimated economic losses of up to $20 billion annually because of food safety incidents caused by poor hygiene in refrigerated trailers.

Fresh food or meat and other high-risk items transported in a refrigerated trailer must be cleaned immediately after each transport. First, the visible dirt and all other solids that can be seen must be removed. We recommend thoroughly cleaning all interior surfaces with an appropriate food-safe cleaning agent. These can break down set-in stains quickly and kill up to 99% of common bacteria. Research on the cold chain industry has shown that refrigerated trailers that use dedicated cleaners leave 35% less contamination compared to using normal cleaning products.

Eighty percent of reefer units have leaking cooler air seals, and this aging causes temperature fluctuations inside, as well as the potential to allow for unwanted contaminants from the outside. Changing the seals is important, and the seals need to be continuously checked. Seals are another key cleaning focus; they must be ensured to be clean and non-destructive during the cleaning process and replaced once a year at least to keep good sealing performance.

After the cleaning, it is important to use high-efficiency and environmentally safe disinfectants. The kind of disinfectant used is crucial, as it needs to not leave dangerous residues on food. Experimental data reveals that high-temperature steam disinfection can effectively kill more than 99.9% of bacteria and inhibit mold and viruses. This method is not only efficient and eco-friendly, but it also reduces the use of chemical disinfectants, minimizing the risk of secondary contamination to food.

Ventilation and drying the trailer are equally important. Dry the trailer completely to avoid moisture and mold growth after cleaning and disinfecting. Data shows that bacteria multiply five times faster in high-humidity environments. Once the refrigerated trailer is cleaned, the interior can air dry with industrial fans or natural ventilation to ensure sanitary shipping conditions are maintained.

Removing Dirt and Debris

All that food debris and spilled liquids in the enclosed refrigerated trailer used to haul fresh food or other perishable goods are breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. NSF research shows that if residues are not removed, bacteria can reproduce tenfold within 24 hours. The faster dirt and debris are removed, the less sterilization is required afterward. Remove any leftover debris in the trailer, which requires either sweeping by hand or using an industrial vacuum cleaner. Use cleaning tools suitable for food contact to prevent secondary contamination of interior surfaces.

Opt for suitable cleaning chemicals to deal with hard-to-clean stains, especially on floors and in corners where residues typically build up. The floor of a refrigerated trailer is often 35% more contaminated than the walls. Focus especially on floor cleaning with dual-function products that degrease and disinfect, using scrubbing brushes or high-pressure water jets to effectively remove stubborn stains. If residues are not cleared quickly, they may emit foul odors and become breeding grounds for bacteria. A recent industry survey showed that 95% of cold chain cargo loss incidents are due to inappropriate residue removal in trailers, highlighting the critical role this task plays in transportation safety and efficiency.

Using high-pressure water jets can reduce sticky residues by more than 80%, significantly saving time. After high-pressure washing, the interior surfaces should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water to ensure no cleaning agent residues remain. Failure to remove residues completely can lead to temperature fluctuations, which accelerates the spoilage of goods.

Choosing the Right Disinfectant

World Health Organization data indicates that improper disinfection or the use of incorrect disinfectants is responsible for nearly 70% of food transport contamination incidents. This underscores the importance of choosing the correct disinfectant to ensure sanitation in refrigerated trailers. Disinfectants should be selected based on the cargo being transported. For refrigerated trailers hauling fresh food, meat, or dairy products, the disinfectant must meet food-grade safety standards to ensure there are no harmful residues left on the cargo. Common food-grade disinfectants include chlorine-based disinfectants, quaternary ammonium compounds, and peracetic acid.

Different disinfectants work through various mechanisms, so their effectiveness in killing germs can vary. While chlorine-based disinfectants are cheap, their strong oxidizing properties can corrode the metal and rubber components inside the trailer, especially the seals. Quaternary ammonium disinfectants, with lower corrosivity, are more effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making them ideal for frequent use. When selecting a disinfectant, effectiveness should be the top priority.

The effectiveness of disinfectants also depends on concentration and application. Inadequate concentration may only kill 50% of bacteria, while overuse can leave residues. Following the manufacturer’s dilution ratios is essential for optimal results. Certain disinfectants, such as peracetic acid, break down into natural components within 30 minutes, requiring no additional rinsing—improving cleaning efficiency.

Regular Maintenance and Monitoring

Cleaning and disinfecting enclosed refrigerated trailers require regular maintenance and monitoring. Cold chain logistics data indicates that regular maintenance can reduce equipment failure rates by 30%, extending the trailer’s lifespan and improving efficiency.

A regular maintenance plan should include both interior and exterior cleaning, checking the temperature control system, and inspecting seals and ventilation systems. Temperature fluctuations account for 45% of food spoilage in cold chain transport, making temperature control systems critical. Furthermore, about 70% of refrigerated trailer seals lose their elasticity after two years, leading to cold air leakage.

To ensure the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection, monitoring and recording the process is essential. Digital management systems should document cleaning frequency, the disinfectants used, and the interior temperature of the trailer. Advanced cold chain companies use IoT technology, with sensors that monitor real-time temperature and humidity inside the trailer. These technologies reduce equipment failure rates by 40%, improving food safety.

Employee training and oversight are also crucial. Correct training reduces human error, improving sanitation standards. Monitoring systems track cleaning and disinfection in real-time, ensuring procedures are followed correctly and consistently.