Laboratories that conduct important experiments and collect biological data must maintain a hygienic environment. Because of the sensitivity of experiments and the danger of some biological materials, these workspaces require frequent and deep cleaning to keep workers safe.

ICE Cleaning’s laboratory cleaning services ensure laboratories are safe to work in. Thanks to its modern technology and solutions, its technicians can conduct high-quality cleaning procedures for a one-off clean or a contractual basis.

Read on to learn more about laboratory cleaning procedures and their importance in maintaining a safe workplace.

What are cleaning procedures for laboratories?

Cleaning schedules and laboratory cleaning procedures will differ depending on the type of work conducted and the dangers of said work. Some laboratory spaces work with dangerous bacteria or harmful solutions, requiring a specialist cleaning procedure every time.

There is a general rule of thumb for how cleaning procedures should occur, known as “housekeeping”. This refers to the general condition and appearance that a laboratory must have. These cleaning tasks will often consist of:

• Providing waste bins to keep the lab free of clutter
• Ensuring chemical containers are properly sealed after use
• Cleaning chemical spills immediately
• Keeping emergency equipment clear of clutter
• Cleaning labware immediately after use
• Disposing of spoiled samples

How often do laboratories need cleaning?

Most laboratories conduct a “clean as you work” mentality with a final clean before finishing the work day, so there may not be a need for deep cleaning regularly. General cleaning is a daily activity for most labs, but some might require deep cleaning depending on their work.

Deep cleans should occur on an annual basis, where staff and professional cleaners will work together to clear the area. Deep cleans are essential in cleaning hard-to-reach areas and keeping contamination to a minimum. The initial phase of deep cleaning includes tasks like:

• Employing specialised solutions to clean all surfaces
• Emptying and sanitising sinks
• Disassembling equipment for individual cleaning
• Cleaning areas behind storage containers
• Clearing all objects from the floor
• Sweeping and mopping floors with industrial-grade solutions

Upon completing the general cleaning process, comprehensive disinfection of the area will be carried out. All surfaces, including sinks and laboratory equipment, are treated with a potent industrial solution to ensure complete disinfection.

This deep cleaning procedure repeats annually, but it can occur more than once throughout the year depending on the risks in the lab.

How professional cleaners can help

Although some laboratories strictly prefer their staff to carry out cleaning, help may be needed in busy labs where workers must focus on their tasks. Third-party cleaning companies can step in and assist in these procedures with certified cleaners.

A specialist pharmaceutical and laboratory cleaning company, ICE Cleaning, offers these services with its H&S-compliant technicians. Its cleaners could be on-site at your earliest convenience in an emergency and are open to cleaning on a contract basis if necessary.

To learn more about their industrial cleaning services, you can visit their website here.