Sanitation - top down or bottom up?

Hello All:

Several months ago I came across a handful of articles that suggested for CIP equipment and/or items like tables, floor-model mixers, etc., cleaning should be performed from top to bottom...but sanitation should be performed from bottom to top. I could never quite locate the reasoning for "bottom to top" application of the sanitizer

I've been questioned about this and wanted to get some additional input.

"Top to bottom" is logical for cleaning...is this also an appropriate approach for sanitizing, top to bottom? Or should we spray from bottom to top?

We  use a 200ppm QATS sanitizer in a spray bottle for these types of surfaces. There is no specific spray instruction on the sanitizer.

Thanks for any assist.

Regards,

Abbie

It's all going to run down anyway?    Seriously though, I have not heard the bottom to top on sanitizer and am very happy that they make sure the equipment is covered.    Will be interesting to hear what others have to say. 

Hi Abbie, I think any cleaning or sanitation should be top down.

I certainly practice this in the shower on final wash down. 

I recognize this is/was a no-brainer - it was just odd to me to find multiple references regarding "bottom to top" sanitation

Thanks

Maybe somebody can shed some light on it Abbie.

Seems illogical, but there may well be a reason.

Bring it on sanitation experts.

Hi
We are in the process of becoming SQF certified, I have been a one women show for 5 years now I am training a 5 person team.... This question came up recently while reviewing our plan, this is the method stated in the Sanitation Program and what we train our crew in.
We clean "top to bottom" and We sanitize "bottom to top" in our plant, ready to eat smoked salmon, I believe coating the floor & drains first then moving up and never spraying the floor again reduces the chance of recontaninating contact surfaces with over spray from the floor and drains which are a perfect breeding ground for all listeria species. I am very scared of testing positive so for me it makes sense to reduce the likely hood of a bloom from spreading any way you can.