Five Cleanroom Supplies You Should Always Have

Are cleanrooms crucial to your business? If so, you understand the importance of maintaining them to precise standards. If you're missing the necessary supplies to access your cleanroom, it can significantly impact your business.

You might be wondering which supplies are essential to maintain your cleanroom at these high standards. Below is a list of five crucial items you should always keep in stock.

1. Replacement filters

Filters are essential in keeping your cleanroom clean. Without having replacements in stock you have little chance of keeping your cleanroom operational and performing to a high standard. It’s always good to have backups on hand, including HEPA, ULPA and pre-filters.

Pre-Filters: Depending on the standards of your cleanroom, pre-filters should be changed every couple of months. Pre-filters in gowning rooms should be changed more frequently than in areas where individuals will be gowned. The reasoning is that un-gowned individuals will introduce more contaminants than those that are in cleanroom gowning. You should have enough filters to last 1 or 2 more changes.

HEPA/ULPA: For HEPA and ULPA filters it is important to keep 1 or 2 on hand in case they need to be changed after inspection. Having replacements available in your facility allows you to be ready should there be an emergency. 

2. Cleanroom Wipes

Maintaining a steady supply of cleaning wipes is essential for your cleanroom. Specifically designed for controlled environments, these wipes are crafted from lint-free materials and are pre-soaked in solutions that are safe for cleanroom use, ensuring they don’t introduce contaminants. They are crucial for wiping down surfaces and upholding the strict cleanliness standards required.

To avoid running out, consider setting up automatic reorders with your supplier. Additionally, it’s wise to keep an extra stock on hand to cover any emergencies or delays in delivery. This ensures that your cleanroom remains consistently compliant with cleanliness protocols.

3. Sticky Mats

Sticky mats play a crucial role in keeping your cleanroom free of contaminants. These are usually placed at the entrances and exits of your cleanroom and trap dirt, dust and other contaminants. These mats should be replaced regularly as they significantly reduce the risk of contaminants entering your cleanroom which can lead to downtime.

We recommend having ample supplies and keeping a log of when they are replaced.

4. Gowning materials

Bunny suits, hoods, gloves, masks, and booties are crucial for maintaining cleanliness in your cleanroom. These items are mandatory for entry, making it essential to keep a well-stocked inventory of all sizes.

To ensure you never run low, establish a routine for monitoring supplies. A practical approach is to have employees notify your purchasing manager or supply coordinator as soon as the last box is opened, so new stock can be ordered promptly.

5. Cleaning solutions

Having cleaning solutions readily available is crucial for maintaining efficiency and avoiding downtime in your cleanroom. These solutions should be residue-free, non-toxic, and non-volatile to ensure optimal performance.

As with the gowning materials mentioned earlier, it's important for employees to notify the purchasing manager or supply coordinator when only one full bottle remains. This ensures that new stock can be ordered in advance to prevent shortages.