The Role of the Sterilizer Chamber in Laboratory Settings
To keep laboratory instruments clean, organizations typically use a sterilizer chamber, also known as an autoclave. They use steam to kill microbes, as the heat breaks down their proteins to neutralize the threat to health and safety.
Temperatures range from 250 degrees Fahrenheit to 275 F to achieve sterilization.
It might seem strange that you need to clean the chamber since its purpose is to sterilize crucial equipment. Frequent cleaning is essential, however, such as when something spills inside the chamber.
If you're wondering how often a sterilizer chamber should be cleaned, you've come to the right place! Under normal conditions, you'll clean the chamber once per week, or every 20 cycles. Be sure to check the manufacturer's operation manual for guidance.
You should always check the chamber's interior and clean up any spills after each cleaning cycle. Otherwise, spilled material could result in rust, scale and stains appearing, compromising the function of the autoclave.
With ongoing maintenance and cleaning, you help prolong the service life of your sterilizer chamber.
Key Elements in Cleaning Sterilizer Chambers
Employees who are new to cleaning sterilizer chambers should be aware of the key items they'll need to do the job correctly:
- Purified water (such as deionized H2O), free of chlorination and contaminants, which might damage the chamber
- Gloves that withstand the heat of the chamber, so you can safely touch and clean it
- Cleaning solution to both clean and sterilize the chamber
- Towels or rags (soft) to dry off the exterior of the chamber, in lieu of abrasive brushes or cloth that may harm the device
Methods for Cleaning Sterilizer Chambers
Here's an overview of the methods people use to properly clean their sterilizer chambers.
First, only people who have undergone training to clean sterilization chambers should be involved in their cleaning. Before cleaning, have all the tools and supplies ready to use.
Put an "out of service" sign on the autoclave during the cleaning process, to avoid inadvertent contamination. Documenting cleaning times will help you verify you've done this work according to the schedule you've set.
Then, turn off the autoclave and allow it to reach room temperature.
Take out the chamber's shelf racks, leaving the autoclave drain strainer where it is.
Apply cleaning solution by spraying it onto the walls of the chamber, or by soaking the solution into a cleaning pad, which you will use to clean the floor, walls and ceiling of the chamber, moving the pad back and forth. For larger chambers, employ an extender to reach everything.
After scrubbing is finished, use purified water (no chlorination) with a cotton towel or soft rag to wipe surfaces dry.
Check the autoclave's drain strainer and use a brush to get rid of debris.
Then, you'll be ready to replace the drain strainer and the shelf rack you previously removed.
You Can Rely on Technical Safety Services for Help with Sterilizer Chamber Cleaning
At Technical Safety Services, our team provides a full range of lab services, including laboratory equipment maintenance, decontamination and chamber calibration. For details about our expertise in sterilizer chamber cleaning, please contact us today.
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