Why One Manufacturer Replaced Denatured Alcohol with FT 100

When a cleaning process has been used for years, changing it usually requires a good reason. For one manufacturer producing components for laboratory ventilation technology, denatured alcohol had long been the go-to solution for cleaning parts throughout production. Components were cleaned by hand to remove light machining oils before moving on to the next stage. Denatured alcohol dried quickly, which initially made it a practical choice. Then the team tested Bio-Circle FT 100. And the results prompted them to rethink their entire cleaning process.

More working time, better cleaning

FT 100 is a ready-to-use, surfactant-free cleaner designed for surface preparation and final cleaning.

One of the first things the production team noticed was its working time. Unlike denatured alcohol, which evaporated very quickly, FT 100 remained on a damp sponge or cloth for longer. This gave operators more time to clean each component effectively without repeatedly applying additional product. The result was a simpler cleaning process and improved cleaning performance. But the benefits weren’t limited to the components themselves.

Solving an unexpected problem

Each workstation used rubber mats to protect manufactured parts from scratches during handling and cleaning. The drying effect of denatured alcohol caused these mats to deteriorate, meaning they regularly needed to be replaced. Switching to FT 100 significantly reduced this wear. It was a small operational detail, but one that helped reduce unnecessary replacements while maintaining the protection needed for finished components.

Taking cleaning a step further

Following the success of manual cleaning with FT 100, the manufacturer also introduced the BIO-CIRCLE Clean Box. Using FT 100 with the Clean Box helped the team achieve even better cleaning results while creating a more consistent process for components requiring additional attention.

The results were strong enough that FT 100 was eventually introduced throughout the entire facility.

Its use then spread further, with the company’s wider international group adopting the product at other locations.

For additional cleaning requirements, the facility also introduced BC Maxi with BC L Ultra, creating a broader cleaning setup suited to different applications across production.

A simple change with practical benefits

By replacing denatured alcohol with FT 100, the manufacturer achieved several improvements:

• More effective cleaning of machining oils

• Longer working time during manual cleaning

• Reduced wear on workstation rubber mats

• Better results when using the Clean Box

• A more consistent cleaning process across production

Most importantly, the change helped support both productivity and component quality. The experience shows that replacing a familiar solvent doesn’t mean compromising on performance.

For manufacturers still relying on denatured alcohol or similar products for surface cleaning, FT 100 offers a practical alternative worth testing on the shop floor.

Want to see how FT 100 could work within your cleaning process? Speak to the BIO-CIRCLE team about your application.