No matter how careful the laboratory persons use the lab equipment, they are bound to get dirty. As air filtration and cleanliness are essential in maintain sterility levels in a laboratory or cleanroom, proper cleaning, and maintenance of laminar airflow hood is also required. Also, it is equally important to properly follow the cleaning procedure. Otherwise, you may end up messing things. All lab personnel must be aware of the cleaning procedure and should regularly clean the laminar flow hood.
Equipment required for cleaning
- Use 70% ethanol instead of using soap and water because it is most effective in killing the microbes.
- Gloves, face, and eye protectors to cover exposed body parts.
- Laboratory coats or gowns to cover the body.
- Laboratory-grade wipes
- Lint-free cleanroom cloths
- Biohazard trash bags to throw the waste.
Steps to clean vertical laminar flow hood
Follow the below-given steps to clean the vertical laminar flow hood.
- First of all, clean the back wall of your laminar flow hood.
- Then, clean the side walls moving from left to right and top to bottom in a sweeping motion.
- Now, clean the work surface from the back to the front of the unit.
Steps to clean horizontal laminar flow hood
Follow the below-given steps to clean the horizontal laminar flow hood.
- Begin cleaning the horizontal laminar flow hood from its ceiling.
- Then, clean the side walls moving from left to right and top to bottom in a sweeping motion.
- Now, clean the work surface from the back to the front of the unit.
Some cleaning tips to keep in mind
- Replace filters every 3-5 years.
- Always use a new cloth for each wall.
- Do not try to clean the filter.
- Always clean from back to front, top to bottom, and always overlap each swipe.
