- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Cleanroom wipes
- Cleanroom swabs
- Lint-free cleanroom cloth
- Cleaning agents such as 70% isopropanol or Solucide Disinfection Spray
How to Clean a Ductless Hood in Your Lab
Whether cleaning a laminar flow unit, a PCR workstation, or a biosafety cabinet, remember to wear protective gear, use Solucide or 70% isopropanol, depending on your unit and applications, and follow a strict weekly schedule.
Like any other laboratory tools, ductless hoods require regular maintenance. They are vital components within lab settings, and depending on their type, they protect samples, safeguard the environment, or both.
Proper maintenance and cleaning of ductless hoods are essential to uphold their optimal condition, ensure efficient functionality, and minimize potential laboratory hazards. However, it is crucial to recognize that different types of ductless hoods exist, each necessitating a specific cleaning approach.
To help you clean the ductless hood in your lab, we have outlined the steps and tips you can follow. But first, let us explore the cleaning supplies and materials you should have.
Lab Cleaning Supplies You Need
Before We Continue
When it comes to cleaning your units, safety should always be a top priority. That is why emphasizing and following these critical reminders are important:
Tip #1
Avoid using the wrong cleaning agents, as they may lead to rust, damage to filters, or even pose hazards when mixed with the chemicals absorbed in the filters. Always use a cleaning agent that is safe to use based on your unit and applications. Isopropyl alcohol is considered safe for plastics and rubber surfaces, but care should be taken as other solvents, such as ethanol, may damage surfaces and coatings.
Tip #2
Work from the top (ceiling) to the bottom (work surface) for optimal results. This approach helps prevent dirt, debris, or contaminants from falling onto areas you have already cleaned. It is also recommended to start with the cleanest areas and move to the dirtiest, ensuring proper decontamination.
Tip #3
Avoid wiping surfaces in a circular motion. Instead, opt for gentle and single swipes to clean effectively without risking damage or spreading contaminants, overlapping every swipe by at least 25% coverage.
Tip #4
Extra caution is needed when handling ductless fume hoods and biosafety cabinets, as they hold more harmful chemicals, VOCs, and other potentially hazardous substances. Instead of wipes, use Solucide Disinfection Spray, a specialized spray better suited to ensure thorough decontamination. Using a wiper on a pole is recommended if the operator cannot safely reach the ceiling or walls.
Tip #5
Decontaminate (if applicable) and properly store the containers and equipment. Units should be completely emptied before cleaning.
Tip #6
Wear appropriate protective gear, such as lab gowns, proper eyewear, and gloves. Never stick your head under the hood when cleaning the ceiling, walls, and work surface. After cleaning, properly dispose of the gloves and gowns based on your laboratory safety requirements and thoroughly wash your hands and arms.
How to Clean a Laminar Flow Hood
Laminar flow hoods filter the air flowing through them to create an interior environment suitable for handling sensitive samples. While the HEPA filter functions efficiently, potential contamination sources include airborne particles infiltrating through the front panel, residue on bottles, vials, and tools introduced into the workspace, and contaminants lingering on the workbench surface.
Regular cleaning of a laminar flow unit is crucial. The steps required vary depending on whether you have a horizontal or vertical laminar flow hood.
Steps for Cleaning a Vertical or Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood
Step 1
Turn on the hood for 15 to 30 minutes before cleaning.
Step 2
Fold your cleanroom wipe or lint-free cleanroom cloth to form a pad, and wet it with the recommended cleaning agent, such as USP-grade sterile 70% isopropanol. Use a fresh side or a new wipe or cloth for each wall or surface of the hood or until the wipe or cloth is visibly dirty.
Step 3
When cleaning a vertical laminar flow hood, start with the back wall, swiping from left to right and top to bottom. Then, work on the side walls, following the back-to-front, top-to-bottom motion.
Step 4
When cleaning a horizontal laminar flow hood, focus on the unit's ceiling first, going from left to right and swiping from back to front. Clean the side walls back to front, working your way down.
Step 5
To avoid damaging the filter media, do not attempt to clean the HEPA filter or spray it directly with a cleaning agent.
Step 6
Ensure that you swipe all corners of the hood during the process.
Step 7
Clean the work surface last, starting in the back and moving to the front.
How to Clean a PCR Hood
While a PCR hood or workstation has built-in UV lamps that sterilize the work surface, they should not replace good decontamination practices. Instead, utilize UV lights in addition to the regular cleaning and decontamination procedures performed weekly.
Steps for Cleaning a PCR Workstation
Step 1
Form a pad with your cleanroom wipe or cloth. Ensure it is wet enough with an appropriate cleaning agent during the entire process. Use a fresh side or a new wipe or cloth for each wall or surface of the hood or until visibly dirty.
Step 2
Clean the ceiling without damaging the filter panel, making gentle single overlapping swipes from back to front and left to right.
Step 3
Swipe the back and side walls from top to bottom without missing the corners, followed by the front cover.
Step 4
Focus on the work surface, going from the back toward the front.
How to Clean a Ductless Fume Hood
Unlike a PCR and laminar flow hood, a ductless fume hood has a unique function. It does not filter incoming air to create a sterile environment inside. Instead, it focuses on removing harmful fumes, particles, and VOCs from the air it exhausts, making it a crucial tool in your lab.
Steps for Cleaning a Ductless Fume Hood
Step 1
Turn on the unit and let it operate for at least 15 - 30 minutes before cleaning.
Step 2
Use a recommended disinfectant such as Solucide. Avoid isopropanol or ethanol, as they dry fast when sprayed on the surface and can violently react with hazardous chemicals and VOCs. Moreover, a lint-free cleanroom cloth is recommended over wipes as the cleaning agent evaporates too quickly to decontaminate the work surface properly.
Step 3
Gently wipe the ceiling, back wall, and side walls in that order, swiping from top to bottom and back to front. When working with large spills, spray the work surface with the disinfectant and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes before absorbing and wiping it with a clean cloth.
Step 4
Clean the interior of the front cover before focusing on the work surface. Make overlapping single-motion swipes, starting in the back and going to the front.
By consistently following these weekly decontamination steps, you can guarantee your ductless fume hood's safety and optimal functionality.
How to Clean a Biosafety Cabinet
Biosafety cabinets are ductless hoods that utilize vertical laminar flow and negative displacement to remove biohazardous materials and infectious agents from the air within the unit. Because of this, biosafety cabinets require meticulous cleaning practices to ensure decontamination.
This article will only discuss cleaning Class I and Class II biosafety cabinets.
Steps for Cleaning a Biosafety Cabinet
Step 1
If items are in the hood, allow the unit to run for 5 minutes before adequately storing or disposing of the items.
Step 2
Turn on the unit and allow it to run for approximately 30 minutes before cleaning it.
Step 3
Starting with the unit's interior ceiling, spray the unit's top with Solucide and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Exercise caution when spraying to prevent damage to the filters. Then, wipe with a lint-free cleanroom cloth using single, gentle strokes. Be sure to fold the cloth to a clean side after each swipe.
Step 4
After disinfecting the ceiling, apply the same cleaning tactics to clean the unit's interior walls, followed by the work surface. Start from the cleanest section to the dirtiest to ensure an effective sterilization process.
Step 5
Repeat these steps until there is no trace of dust, dirt, or other visible particles on either the work surface or the cloth. If you cannot safely reach inside the unit to clean, consider using a cleaning pole to reach the far surfaces.
Step 6
(Optional) After cleaning, close the unit and allow the UV lights to run to decontaminate it further.
UV lights alone cannot decontaminate your unit. Therefore, be sure to thoroughly clean your biosafety cabinet at least once a week if you use it. Consult your user manual for additional instructions on cleaning your unit.
We hope you have gained valuable insight about cleaning ductless hoods. To learn more about ductless hoods, click here. If you have any questions, please contact our expert sales team at 800-733-2522, [email protected], or message us via Live Chat, available on our website.
Sources:
https://www.terrauniversal.com/blog/how-to-clean-a-laminar-flow-hood
https://www.ossila.com/pages/laminar-flow-hood-cleaning-preparation
https://www.airscience.com/keeping-it-simple-how-to-properly-clean-your-laminar-flow-hood
https://iq-laboratory.com/how-to-clean-and-maintain-a-fume-hood/