How do you keep a Cleanroom clean?

How do you keep a Cleanroom clean?

It can be difficult to maintain the standards of a cleanroom.  The rooms themselves can be touchy, and everything you bring into the room is likely to release particles into the air, even your employees.  So, what are the best ways to keep your cleanroom up to the standards you so painstakingly maintained?  Here’s a few basic concepts, and some useful suggestions to maintaining the highest level of clean.

Gowning:  First and foremost, anyone who enters the cleanroom has to be wearing protective clothing.  Human beings are full of particles; our hair falls out, our skin flakes, and there’s no way to control it.  That’s why it’s essential that anyone going into the cleanroom wear the prescribed protective clothing.  Depending on your cleanroom’s class, this might just be a gown and gloves, or it could be a full head to toe “bunny suit” complete with a mask and goggles.  You first have to define your standards, but then you should know exactly what your employees should be wearing into the cleanroom.

Cleanroom Furniture:  Believe it or not, furniture gives off particles even when it’s just sitting there.  That’s why special furniture is manufactured to lessen the particles and dust that fall and collect on furniture.  It’s a good idea to invest in this type of furniture if you’re interested in keeping your cleanroom clean.

Air Shower:  If you’re concerned with limiting the amount of particles brought into your cleanroom, you might consider investing in an air shower.  Used in conjunction with the gowning room, it blows off any particles that could easily fall off people entering the cleanroom.  It’s a great way to eliminate any extra particles before your employees enter the room.

Sticky Flooring:  This is the best way to take care of foot-borne or wheel-borne contaminates.  Better than sticky mats, sticky flooring is more durable, more effective, and can last for 3 to 5 years, if properly cleaned and taken care of.  If your cleanroom has a high standard for cleanliness, this is a useful addition to your cleanroom.