Quality assurance of cleaning procedures is important as regards production efficiency, food safety and food quality. Model routines for the assessment of cleaning methods require that materials can be fouled in a reliable manner. The present study was performed to demonstrate that a reproducible soiling of stainless steel can be achieved as long as the flow characteristics of the soiling fluid (i.e., different types of gelatinized starch) and specific aspects of the corresponding procedure for the quantification of soil residues are considered. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.