6 Best Practices for Laboratory Cleaning

From research and development centres to clinical testing and analysis facilities, cleaning is critical in laboratories of all shapes and sizes. Best practice cleaning protocols ensure hygiene standards are maintained at all times. This not only improves the accuracy, reliability and repeatability of results but heightens safety for laboratory personnel, enhances workflow efficiency and extends the lifespan of sensitive equipment and instruments.

Below, we take a closer look at some of the most useful best practices for laboratory cleaning:

1. Maintain tidy workspaces

The first step to maintaining a clean laboratory is to keep workspaces tidy at all times. Laboratories can be fast paced and equipment-heavy work environments. This means clutter can quickly build up. Keeping workspaces tidy is one of the easiest ways to maintain a clean laboratory. 

2. Establish specialised cleaning procedures 

Laboratories can be highly specialised, particularly within the life sciences sector. Many laboratories rely on expensive and highly sensitive equipment and instruments, which means a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning doesn’t always work. For example, the same cleaning procedures used for a glass microscope lens or mortar and pestle can’t necessarily be applied to organic chemistry beakers and other laboratory glassware. Establishing specialised cleaning procedures for different equipment helps lab personnel choose the right methods. This simultaneously extends the longevity of equipment and improves data.

3. Use deionised water

While water straight from the tap is considered clean and safe to drink, it’s not always suitable for laboratory cleaning purposes. For example, laboratory glassware should be rinsed with deionised water. This ensures the water is free from dissolved particles such as minerals, salts, carbon dioxide and other organic contaminants that can leave a residue on glassware.

4. Follow instructions carefully

Laboratory cleaning solutions often feature powerful chemicals and disinfectants. To optimise use it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. For example, many products offer information on minimum and maximum contact times. Removing a cleaning solution too soon could hinder its capacity to kill microorganisms. Similarly, leaving it too long could damage the surface or equipment.

5. Invest in high-performance cleaning and sterilisation solutions

In many laboratories, manual cleaning doesn’t cut it. Investing in high-performance cleaning solutions such as autoclaves offers total peace of mind when it comes to sterilising laboratory instruments and media. They’re widely used in medical labs, where surgical equipment, glassware and containers must be sparkling clean.

6. Be COVID conscious

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of hand hygiene in the laboratory. Shared items such as micropipettes and measuring tools should be cleaned and sterilised after use to avoid the spread of harmful pathogens. The same goes for high-traffic surfaces like faucet handles, keyboards and instrument touchpads. Labs should also be well-equipped with sanitising stations to help personnel stay on top of hand hygiene.

Want to know more about best-in-class laboratory cleaning protocols? We answer all your questions in ‘Laboratory Hygiene - A Comprehensive Guide’.