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BFM® Cleaning Guides

Maintaining your BFM® system

From manual cleaning to scheduled Clean In Place (CIP) processes, regular maintenance of your BFM® flexible connector and spigot helps keep your factory free from contaminants and ensures that your process is performing at maximum efficiency.

BFM® Is Easy To Clean

Isoprop_cleaning connector 400x300 BFM^® fitting makes it easy to keep your factory clean - and keeping your BFM^® connectors clean is simple too.

The BFM^® fitting is resilient and will outlast many comparable media, although it will naturally wear with usage over time. Good regular maintenance will give you the best possible life.

You can clean both non-breathable connectors (such as Seeflex 040E) and the breathable connectors (such as LM3) with some simple manual techniques.

Important Note: if you are using BFM^® connectors during CIP, it is still important to remove and wipe both the connector and spigot clean at the end of each cycle to ensure there is no residue of any chemical cleaning solutions.

Cleaning Guides

Seeflex Connectors
Woven Connectors
FM1 Breather Bag
Clean in Place (CIP)

Seeflex Connectors

The best way to clean the BFM® Seeflex connectors is by wiping them down with Isopropyl alcohol and a microfibre cloth, which maintains the clarity of the connectors and sanitizes them, too.

You can also rinse or wash your BFM® connector using non-corrosive detergents in warm water. It is important that the BFM® connector is wiped clean and dry of any residual chemicals after washing, and the internal surfaces of the BFM® spigots are also wiped clean and dry.

Seeflex Range includes: Seeflex 020E, Seeflex 040E, Seeflex 040AS, Seeflex 060ES, Flexi-Connector, Flexi-Earthed and Flexi-Light.

NOTE: Over time, the chemicals used in CIP may cause a slight yellowing of the Seeflex material, but it will not affect the connector performance or integrity.

Download Cleaning Guide

Woven Connectors

Breathable (or woven) connectors are cleaned slightly differently due to the material with which they are manufactured. Woven fabrics such as PTFE and polyester are absorbent and permeable so they are likely to leak liquids, especially when under pressure so CIP is not generally recommended.

Follow the instructions below for best practices when cleaning woven connectors:

Agitate connector in bath of warm water, mild detergent and disinfectants.
If contaminant is milk powder or protein -based, soak overnight in 0.5% enzyme based detergent.
Rinse with low pressure hose or fresh water bath.
If sanitation is required, you may need to immerse in a sanitation solution.
Drain BFM® and air dry thoroughly.

Breathable Connectors include: LM3, LM4 and Teflex Woven.

Download Cleaning Guide

FM1 Breather Bag

The FM1 Breather Bag can be washed but it is not recommended.

The media has a dust release surface, which helps keep it efficient and aids dust release. This will deteriorate with washing, making it less effective.
It is best to either blow an airgun through (in reverse and not too close), use a vacuum or shake/brush any dust from the breather bag.

Clean in Place (CIP)

BFM® fitting works very well in CIP installations. The tight seal, impervious media and ease of removal make cleaning and maintenance during CIP a breeze.

Our most popular connector, Seeflex 040E, has excellent abrasion and chemical resistance.

The connector can be used during the CIP process and is very easy to remove for cleaning any residual chemicals.

Many companies like to have a separate connector, especially for the CIP process. BFM® can supply a product that is clearly marked 'Wash Sleeve' (shown adjacent) and the ease of change means this connector can be simply snapped in for the wash cycle only.

For more information, visit our CIP application page.

Explore the BFM® Advantage by

BFM® connectors installed on infeed pipes

Our 100% sealed system eliminates dust and product leakage, preventing product build-up, which improves hygiene and makes flushing through easier for cleaning.

Staff Members practicing safe manufacturing with ear muffs

There are no tools required to install BFM® connectors. Simply bend and position the cuff against the grooves of the spigot and release the tension!

BFM® connector being snapped into a spigot

The BFM® fitting flexible connector system provides so many advantages in terms of operational efficiency, it's an investment that pays for itself many times over.

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