01 March 2020

Cleanroom Cleaning Procedure

A cleanroom is a controlled environment where products are packed, manufactured, and assembled. The room eliminates sub-micron airborne contamination generated from people, processes, facilities and equipment. The higher the level of cleanliness, the lower the likeliness of particles or microbes damaging or corrupting production processes by tainting sterile and non-sterile products.

Avoid the introduction of non-cleanroom specified cleaning agents
DI water (deionized water) is recommended for scrubbing of all surfaces, floors, walls, and benches.
Never use scrubs, rags, or powders for cleanroom use. Cleanroom mops provide materials, such as woven polyester which limit shedding or tearing during cleaning.
Use an autoclave ready multi-bucket mopping system with non-marring wheels, deep drawn seamless buckets, designated clean and dirty water control.
Floors will be damp mopped daily before normal work shifts with distilled water and vacuumed dry.
Floors will be damp mopped weekly with a cleanroom detergent, distilled water, and a HEPA filter vacuum.
Vacuum walls daily
Wipe walls with a damp cleanroom sponge and distilled water and vacuum dry once weekly.
Windows and cleanroom pass-throughs are to be washed and wiped dry daily with lint-free 70% IPA wipes.
Vacuum ceilings daily
Wipe ceilings with a damp sponge and distilled water weekly, vacuum dry.
Wash ceilings with detergent and distilled water whenever necessary to remove deposits, based on application.
All daily cleaning maybe be performed during normal work shifts with the exception of floors.
Overhand light lenses and troffers will be wiped with a damp sponge and distilled water weekly, vacuumed dry.
Change cleanroom sticky mats as needed, and without hesitation.

Proper Cleanroom Working Procedure Protocol

Walk and move slowly to prevent air turbulence.
Anticipate and gather all materials and tool supplies to perform the task at hand before entering the cleanroom.
Clean, inspect, and wipedown all materials and tools entering the cleanroom with a 70% IPA solution.
Wipe down work areas at the end of each shift, or as designated by classification compliance, for pharmaceutical applications this may be as often as every 30 minutes.
Understand your cleanrooms airflow patterns and organize accordingly with special attention as not to:
Block HEPA filtered air from reaching the product with your body or equipment
Pin or tape note or instruction sheets on a wall or laminar flow tables so as to not block HEPA filter air
Keep tools, chemicals, and supplies in proper containers or storage cabinets; ensure that placement is downstream from the product as not to contaminate it.
During lunch or long interruptions, and at the close of the work shift, ensure that all products, supplies, and materials are stored or covered as to protect them from contamination.
Wipe up any spills or replace soiled garments immediately.
Wipe down any object that is potentially contaminated with a 70% IPA or discard depending on the item and associated risk.