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Best Laboratory Cleaning Procedures | Step By Step Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

It is important to keep your science laboratory

clean at all times. The equipment and the lab

itself should be cleaned after each use. This way

you will know that your glassware and other

materials are not contaminated when you go to

do your next experiment. In fact, it is better to

overclean a science lab than it is to under clean it.

When you follow these laboratory cleaning

procedures, you will always be ready for the next

project, and you won’t have to worry about your

experiments being compromised.

How To Clean A Laboratory?

First, you need to gather your equipment. You will

need sponges, disposable wipes, a bucket with

hot water and soap solution, several clean towels

or rags, rubber gloves (if you are sensitive), any

cleaning agent required for the particular flooring

of your lab room, paper towels, old newspapers to

place on the floor before washing it so as not to

damage it or make too much of a mess. You

should also have an air freshener ready to use

after everything is done.

Cleaning The Laboratory Countertops And Tops Of Lab Equipment

Before you can even begin to clean anything in

your lab you first have to take everything out of

it. This way you know that nothing gets left

behind when you wipe and scrub the countertops

and other surfaces. You should start by

unplugging all equipment and cabling you don’t

need right now, such as power strips and any

electronic devices plugged in to the ports of your

computers and other equipment (such as

microscopes).

These can be easily forgotten about while you wipe down your lab space. However, before beginning to

restack your equipment after it has been cleaned, make sure that everything is properly dry or else there

could be a short circuit or shock when you plug them back in. It may take several hours for some pieces to

dry completely so make sure they are not also obstructing your work area while they attempt to dry off.

Laboratory cleaning procedures include rinsing the tops of all your pieces of equipment using the same

bucket with soap and water that you will use for your lab counters. Be sure to clean under the edges of

things like microscope slides where dust can often get caught. After you have wiped down all your

surfaces, it is time to take care of your countertops again. You will use your sponges saturated in

hot soapy water as well as any specialized cleaners required for those countertops (such as a granite

cleaner). Laboratory cleaning procedures recommend lightly wiping from left to right, or from right to left

depending on which surface you are dealing with. This way you do not miss out on any spots and food

particles that may be stuck there. Do not forget about test tube racks and other shelving units. Laboratory

cleaning procedures recommend wiping them down thoroughly so that your equipment is properly cleaned.

Laboratory cleaning procedures require all of your glassware to be washed in hot soapy water, rinsed with

clean water and wiped dryusing one of the cloths you have at hand for this task. Laboratory testing

requires very little care when it comes to washing glassware out because they are then used in

laboratories where chemicals may cause damage or wear if they come into contact with the wrong

surface while being handled. Laboratory cleaning procedures also include any fume hoods within your

lab space as well as any lab coats, aprons or other safety clothing worn by safety personnel present in the

area. Laboratory safety procedures require you to treat anything not normally washed on a regular

basis as if it is breakable (which, for all intents and purposes, it now is). Laboratory cleaning procedures

require you to make sure that drying racks are available along with your other supplies to ensure nothing

gets damaged. Finally, once everything has been placed back where it belongs, clean up any water or soap

solution that might still be around the area using old towels or newspapers. You can then spray down the

entire area with an air freshener to get rid of any bad odors. Laboratory cleaning procedures require you to

place a sign outside of your lab space warning people not to enter unless they have proper authorization

because the room may still be off limits until it dries completely. Laboratory safety procedures

recommend waiting 24 hours before anyone enters so as not to compromise safety. Laboratory cleaning

procedures recommend leaving fans or open windows going to remove any excess moisture from the room

as well as using a dehumidifier if necessary. Laboratory safety procedures recommend you follow your

employer’s specific guidelines for lab cleaning. Laboratory testing requires very little care when it comes to

drying off because they are then used in laboratories where chemicals may cause damage or wear.

Laboratory cleaning procedures require you to make sure that everything is completely dry before placing

any equipment back into the lab space. Laboratory documentation requires that all laboratory testing

procedures be written down, followed precisely and documented for future reference, often including the

date of the procedure, who performed it and how well it was completed (including any deviations).

Laboratory cleaning procedures recommend leaving your workspace set up like what you would expect

when doing experiments or using delicate instruments so you do not risk forgetting anything when trying

to resume work in your lab space after things have dried. Laboratory documentation usually just includes a

full history of every experiment conducted within the lab in case there is ever an investigation or safety or

compliance issue that needs to be Laboratory cleaning procedures recommend leaving fans or open

windows going to remove any excess moisture from the room as well as using a dehumidifier. Laboratory

cleaning procedures require you to make sure that everything is completely dry before placing any

equipment back.

How To Clean A Laboratory Hot Plate?

If you own a Laboratory hot plate, then it’s

important to know how to properly clean your

Laboratory hot plate before storage. Laboratory

hot plates are typically used in all kinds of

Laboratory applications. Below are the steps on

how to safely thaw out and dry Laboratory

equipment

Ensure that the Laboratory hot plate is completely powered off when cleaning
Remove all liquid substances from the laboratory hot plate using paper towels
If water droplets remain on the surface of the laboratory hot plate after wiping, use air or gas drier to remove them
Allow the surface of the laboratory hot plate to cool down for at least 24 hours in an open ventilated area in order for it to be completely dried before into storage

How To Clean A Laboratory Fume Hood?

Laboratory fume hoods are used to remove toxic,

corrosive laboratory fumes. Laboratory fumes can

be removed using various different laboratory

techniques, but depending on the type of

laboratory equipment being used, there are some

precautions that have to be taken in order to

ensure safe laboratory conditions. When cleaning

a laboratory fume hood it is important to take

proper safety precautions for your own safety as well as others around you. Make sure that before you

start cleanup you have shut down any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems within

the laboratory. If the laboratory fume hood has an alarm make sure it is turned off before starting cleanup

procedures. Disconnect all power coming into the laboratory fume (it’s okay if this shuts down other

laboratory equipment, laboratory fume hoods are usually on their own power supply) Hood. Pull the

laboratory fume hood away from laboratory equipment to access any connecting points, turn off

laboratory gas lines leading into the laboratory fume Hood. Remove all materials inside of the laboratory

fume hood that can be removed using your hands (noted: biohazardous or infectious materials should not

be cleaned) Using cleaning supplies specifically formulated for laboratory safety you can begin to clean out

the laboratory glassware. Use a non-ammonia based cleaner to remove stains and residues in order

to prevent ammonia damage while washing laboratory glassware. After brushing gently with soft bristle

brushes rinse with deionized water before in an ultrasonic cleaner (if laboratory glassware is particularly

difficult to clean). Laboratory glassware can be washed using a mechanical dishwasher if the laboratory

safety washer has been designed for this type of use, but you will need to ensure that all laboratory

connections and piping are completely dry before use. After laboratory equipment and laboratory

glassware have been cleaned wipe down the top and sides of laboratory fume hood with a disinfectant

cleaner. Remove any stains or residues on the inside of laboratory fume Hood as these may affect proper

ventilation and air quality. Also cleaning out any liquids that may have accumulated at the bottom of

laboratory fume hood by removing them with paper towels or other absorbent material that can be

disposed of properly after cleanup has been completed.

Laboratory Cleaning Procedures For Keeping Glassware Clean

Clean glassware is one of the most important

parts of a science lab because it is the most

fundamental tool that you use in your lab. It is

necessary for any experiment, and you will not

get results if you allow glassware to sit with any

contaminants. Glassware is commonly

contaminated by trace liquids, trace solids, cells,

and other biological debris. You need to remove

all of it, whether you can see it or not, or your

experiments will not yield accurate results. Trace liquids include all kinds of chemicals, from cellular growth

to alcohol, solvents, and acids. They can remain in diluted form if the glassware isn’t clean. Trace solids

might include biofilms, dust, caked chemicals, and other solids. You cannot always see them as they can be

microscopic.

Follow This Protocol For Cleaning Glassware In Your Laboratory

Make sure you are wearing whatever PPE that will make cleaning safe.
Use the correct chemical reagent to stop any chemical reactions that are still happening.
Use the correct chemical reagent to neutralize any strong acids or bases.
Stop cellular activity by using bleach in a 1:10 dilution and let it sit for 60 seconds.
Make sure that you properly dispose of contents of glassware in the biohazard disposal location.
Rinse the glassware with 25 ml of acetone or another alcohol-based solvent three times.
Now you can wash the glassware with 25 ml of a detergent-based cleaning solution
Make sure to scrub the interior of the glass using a brush with course bristles.
Next you will rinse the glassware with hot tap water three times.
You can take 25 ml of deionized water and rinse the glassware up to three times.
Place the glassware upside down on a clean drying rack.

It may seem tedious to repeat the rinsing process three times, but it will help to ensure that you remove

all of the contaminants so that your glassware is ready for your next experiment.

Best Laboratory Cleaning Procedures To Keep Your Work Tables Clean

You need to keep your work tables organized, and

you also need to keep them disinfected. You need

to make sure that you disinfect your workspace

whenever you have a spill and after each use as

well. The best product for disinfection is a 10%

bleach solution. You can mix one part bleach and

nine parts water in a spray bottle. You should

always have this solution on hand for lab

cleaning.

Take A Look At The Cleaning Procedure For Cleaning Your Lab Worktables

Make sure that you put on your PPE before you start cleaning.
Remove all of the loose items from your worktables. Clean and disinfect your glassware before storing it.
Use a paper towel and your bleach solution to wipe your worktable down completely. Be sure to clean the entire table including the underside and the edges. If you find any residue stuck to the table, you might need to use one of your scrubbing brushes.

Follow These Tips

If you find gelatin-like products or other solids, you can boil purified water to clean.
Soap residue and other organic materials can be rinsed with acetone.
You can sterilize any equipment with an ethanol rinse

It is important to keep your lab tables clean so that you will never worry about cross contamination and

your lab will always be safe. Chemicals can be very dangerous, and they must be cleaned up right away.

Your bleach solution will be adequate for most cleaning tasks.

PPE You Should Have on Hand

You should have PPE available for cleaning and for conducting some experiments. At a minimum, you

should have the following:

You can also have these optional items for extra protection:

It is important to protect yourself when you are working in the science lab because some chemicals can be

very dangerous. When you use proper PPE, you are minimizing the risks to yourself and your lab partners.

Best Laboratory Cleaning Procedures To Keep Your Lab Bench Space Clean and Organized

Whether you spend hours at your lab bench space

every day or just one hour every week, you need

to keep it clean and organized. You may have

different chemicals in your lab or other materials

that need to stay safe. When you use your lab,

you will be efficient with your time if it is clean

and organized.

1. Keep Your Lab Notebooks on a Shelf Away From the Workbench

You need to have a bookshelf where you can keep

your lab notebooks and other books so that they

are not harmed by any inadvertent spills. Your

bookshelf should stay clean. You can dust and

wipe it down at least once a week, or every day if

you are in the lab every day.

2. Keep Your General Supplies Organized

You should be sure to organize your general

supplies, including your markers, calculator,

scissors, wipes, and more. You might have

containers to store them in and place them on a

shelf under the shelf with your lab notebook and

lab books. You should always return them to their

spot after you clean up. This way, they will always

be easy to find when you need them.

3. Organize Your Solutions

You can keep your solutions on your lab bench, or

you can create a shelf for them as well. If you

have solutions that you do not use very often, you

should place them on a shelf where they will be

safe. It is important to label all of your solutions

so that there is never a question of what is in

each container, and be sure to put the expiration

date on the label if there is one. Always keep the

area where you store them clean and free of any

dust or debris.

4. Organize Your Supplies According to How Frequently You Use Them

You should keep supplies that you use all the

time within range for easy access, but put

those that you use less frequently away. You

can split these supplies up by the type of

experiment you do with them. That makes it easy

for you to grab everything you need when you

perform an experiment. You will have some

glassware that you use all the time, but there are

other pieces that are used only for special

experiments. Group them accordingly. In addition,

you should label

everything. You should have labels on containers, bookshelves, solutions, and anything else you keep in

your lab. When you clean your lab, you will need to clean each of these spaces, including the containers.

You should use a duster at least once a week to make sure that no dust accumulates. Wipe down

bookshelves, cupboards, and any other surfaces with a paper towel and your bleach solution. Make

sure that you clean up any spills as they occur. When you take care of your science lab and your

equipment, you will always be ready to do an experiment. Finally, you should have your waste bins easily

accessible. You need ordinary waste bins for trash and biohazard disposal containers for waste

from experiments. You should remember to empty your waste bins should remember to empty your

waste bins and clean them at the end of each session. You should never allow trash to accumulate

over a period of time.

Final Words

If you have a science lab, it is important that it is always ready for use. You can do many different kinds of

experiments in your lab, and many of them involve using chemicals and other supplies that can be

dangerous if left behind. You need to make sure that you clean your lab and your supplies thoroughly after

each use. You can use your bleach solution as a general all purpose cleaner. You should use it with paper

towels to wipe down all of your surfaces. If you find residue or materials that are difficult to remove, you

can use your hard bristle brushes and warm water with detergent to clean up. You need to take care to

make sure your glassware is always clean and free of contaminants. You need to clean your flasks,

beakers, test tubes, and any other glassware you use as outlined above. This will ensure that you get rid

of any leftover residue that could contaminate future experiments. Having a lab is a lot of fun, and you can

perform all kinds of experiments. You just need to make sure that your lab is clean and organized.