Routine cleaning
See also: Time between maintenance: routine.
- Device cleaning routines should match the frequency and actions users employ to clean other household utensils.
- Routine cleaning is rapid enough not to disrupt the cleaning routines for other housewares, is simple (minimal number of steps required), and requires little or no user assistance.
Key indicators
- User actions and frequencies for cleaning the device reflect those already used for other kitchen utensils.
- Product design eliminates difficult-to-clean components and areas. For example: minimum six mm internal radii; eight mm target to facilitate cleaning using fingers.
- Cleaning does not require special implements or materials.
- Routine cleaning requires minimal disassembly of the device. Subcomponents (like filter elements) may be cleaned less frequently and need not be disassembled for routine cleaning.
Notes and exceptions
- In India, daily cleaning of kitchen implements with water and abrasives (for example ashes, sand, and coconut fiber) is an ingrained habit.
- Cleaning behaviors, frequencies, and tolerances vary from culture to culture.
Supporting evidence
- PATH. Extended User Testing of Household Water Treatment and Storage Products in Andhra Pradesh, India: Final Study Report. Seattle, WA: PATH: 2010. Available at: http://www.path.org/publications/detail.php?i=1841.
- Full list of supporting evidence and additional materials.
A user cleans his HWTS device much like any other household utensil. Photo: PATH.
Grooves that cannot be cleaned with a fingertip often collect dirt. Photo: PATH.