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How to Clean Cleanroom Floors?
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Cleanroom floors are one of the most critical yet most frequently contaminated surfaces in a controlled environment. Proper floor cleaning is essential to maintain cleanliness levels, protect products and experiments, and ensure compliance with cleanroom standards. This article explains how to clean cleanroom floors correctly, covering cleaning principles, methods, tools, and best practices for different flooring systems.
1. Why Cleanroom Floor Cleaning Matters
Unlike ordinary floors, cleanroom floors directly affect:
Particle and microbial control
Airborne contamination levels
Personnel safety and workflow
Regulatory compliance (ISO, GMP, GLP)
Improper floor cleaning can resuspend particles into the air, compromise airflow patterns, and cause cross-contamination between clean zones.
2. Basic Principles of Cleanroom Floor Cleaning
Effective cleanroom floor cleaning follows these core principles:
Clean from clean to dirty: Always start from higher-grade areas and move toward lower-grade areas.
Top-to-bottom logic: Floors are cleaned last, after walls and equipment.
One-directional cleaning: Avoid back-and-forth motions that spread contamination.
Use validated materials: Only approved mops, wipes, and chemicals should be used.
Controlled moisture: Floors should be damp-cleaned, never flooded.
3. Recommended Cleanroom Floor Cleaning Methods
3.1 Dry Cleaning (Pre-Cleaning)
Purpose: Remove loose particles before wet cleaning.
Common methods:
Cleanroom-rated vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters
Electrostatic or microfiber dry mops
⚠️ Sweeping with conventional brooms is strictly prohibited in cleanrooms.
3.2 Wet Cleaning (Main Cleaning Step)
This is the primary cleaning method for cleanroom floors.
Standard procedure:
Prepare approved cleaning solution using purified water (DI or RO water).
Use cleanroom-grade mop heads (polyester or microfiber).
Mop in straight, overlapping strokes in one direction.
Replace mop heads frequently to avoid recontamination.
Allow floor to air-dry under controlled airflow.
3.3 Disinfection (When Required)
For GMP or biological cleanrooms, disinfection is often required after cleaning.
Common disinfectants:
Alcohol-based solutions (e.g., 70% IPA)
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants
rotated periodically to prevent microbial resistance.
4. Cleaning Frequency by Cleanroom Grade
Cleanroom Grade | Cleaning Frequency |
ISO Class 5–6 / GMP Grade A–B | Daily or per shift |
ISO Class 7 / GMP Grade C | Daily |
ISO Class 8 / GMP Grade D | 2–3 times per week |
Support / Buffer Areas | Weekly or as needed |
Actual frequency should be validated based on environmental monitoring results.
5. Cleaning Requirements by Floor Type
Epoxy Resin Floors
Smooth and seamless, easy to clean
Avoid strong solvents that may damage the coating
Polyurethane (PU) Floors
High abrasion and chemical resistance
Suitable for frequent wet cleaning and disinfection
Polyurethane Mortar Floors
Ideal for high-moisture or heavy-load environments
Can withstand aggressive cleaning agents
PVC Cleanroom Flooring
Use neutral detergents
Avoid excessive water and harsh chemicals
6. Cleanroom Floor Cleaning Tools & Materials
Essential equipment includes:
HEPA-filtered cleanroom vacuum cleaners
Cleanroom-approved mop systems
Color-coded buckets (to avoid cross-contamination)
Low-lint wipes and mop heads
Dedicated cleaning carts for each cleanroom grade
All tools must be cleaned, disinfected, and stored inside the cleanroom or designated clean storage areas.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using household detergents or mops
Reusing dirty mop heads
Cleaning against airflow direction
Over-wetting floors
Skipping documentation and cleaning records
Any of these mistakes can quickly negate the effectiveness of cleanroom cleaning.
8. Documentation and Validation
In regulated environments, floor cleaning must be:
Defined in SOPs
Performed by trained personnel
Logged and traceable
Periodically reviewed and validated
Environmental monitoring data should be used to verify cleaning effectiveness.
Conclusion
Proper cleanroom floor cleaning is not just a housekeeping task—it is a critical contamination control process. By using correct methods, approved materials, and validated procedures, cleanroom floors can remain clean, safe, and compliant over the long term.
A well-maintained floor supports stable cleanroom performance, protects sensitive processes, and ensures reliable results in pharmaceutical, laboratory, electronic, and medical environments.
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