Ensuring the cleanliness of a cleanroom environment is an ongoing process, and the supplies brought into a room play an important role. By understanding the specific products and equipment allowed in a cleanroom, as well as what should be avoided, you can take valuable steps toward controlling contamination in your space.
Why Are Certified Products Needed in a Cleanroom?
The purpose of a cleanroom is to maintain a controlled environment, and contaminants can impact the integrity of a space easier than you might think. In a cleanroom, even excessive movement poses the risk of contamination. In order to keep a cleanroom compliant with its ISO classification, certified supplies and equipment play an important role. It’s important to ensure the products used in your space have been specifically processed and packaged for cleanroom use to eliminate the risk of contamination.
Must-Have Supplies for Every Cleanroom
Depending on the ISO Classification of your cleanroom – Class 1 will require the strictest maintenance and Class 8 may be more lenient – you’ll need a wide range of cleanroom supplies to keep the space contaminant-free. What’s needed may also depend on your industry and the tasks being performed in the cleanroom, but the following are generally always required.
Essential Cleanroom Cleaning Supplies
- Wipes
- Swabs
- Mops, buckets, and sticky rollers
- Cleanroom-approved chemicals and cleaners
- ESD and static control items
- Cleanroom-approved pens, notebooks, and paper
- Sticky mats and flooring
Essential Cleanroom Garments
- Hair bouffant caps and hoods
- Coveralls
- Lab coats and frocks
- Shoe and boot covers
- Masks and beard coverings
- Sleeves
- Gloves
Products to Avoid in Your Cleanroom
Generally, any supplies that have not been clearly designed for a cleanroom environment should be avoided. However, there are a number of specific items that are often prohibited from a cleanroom due to the heightened contamination risk they pose.
- Unapproved paper and tape products, as well as cardboard, Styrofoam, tissues, paper towel, and bubble wrap
- Personal electronics and accessories, such as cell phones, computers, and jewelry
- Wood products, rusted items, or products with flaking paint
- Velcro, leather, or other unapproved synthetic materials
- Unapproved plastics and chemicals, like grease, oil, or aerosols
Behavioral Dos & Don’ts in a Cleanroom
In addition to considering cleanroom-approved supplies, there are some important behaviors to practice and others to avoid when in a contaminant-free environment. Before entering a cleanroom, you should always follow gowning procedures by dressing in appropriate garments. Once inside, avoid eating or drinking, using unapproved materials, and touching surfaces without gloves. It’s important to ensure all tools and equipment have been properly cleaned before using them in a cleanroom, so avoid skipping any set procedures that help to maintain your contaminant-free environment.
Contact Flow Cleanrooms for Your Supply Needs
At Flow Cleanrooms, we offer all of the essential supplies, furniture, and equipment needed to keep your cleanroom free of contaminants. Shop everything from wipers to boot covers online, and contact us to start constructing the ideal cleanroom for your project needs.
