Biofilm in the shower hose
Biofilm is a slimy mass that is formed from various microorganisms (fungi, algae, bacteria) and develops on surfaces with moist breeding grounds. It spreads particularly in shower hoses, as the plastic and rubber material, the constant moisture and the warm temperature provide ideal conditions for the biofilm.
Legionella find ideal living conditions in the biofilm.
Bacteria of the genus Legionella (colloquially Legionella), the pathogens of the most serious lung diseases, find ideal living conditions in the biofilm. It is assumed that in Germany alone around 20,000 people fall ill with Legionnaires' disease every year, which is caused by Legionella and is fatal in around 15% of cases. (Source: Robert Koch Institute). Amoebae live in the biofilm and are used as hosts by Legionella. This further supports the proliferation of Legionella.
How the FlexClean hygiene system works
The heart of the FlexClean shower hose is the FlexClean hygiene system. It consists of a specially shaped and silver-plated stainless steel spring that touches the inner wall of the shower hose. When the shower fitting is opened, the spring is pulled in the direction of flow by the water flow and when the fitting is closed, the spring automatically retracts to its original position.
The hose wall is cleaned twice. The silver-plated FlexClean spring also transfers a light layer of silver to the hose wall. The antibacterial properties of silver offer additional protection against biofilm. The inner wall of a conventional shower hose is covered with biofilm within a short time.
With the FlexClean hygiene system, the silver-plated FlexClean cleaning spring is pulled in the direction of flow by the water flow when the faucet is opened. It touches the inner wall of the hose, which is cleaned in the process. When the shower faucet is closed, the silver-plated FlexClean cleaning spring retracts back to its original position. The shower hose is cleaned again in the process.