6 common myths about cleanrooms

Keeping contamination out takes more than a wipe-down and a labcoat!
Cleanrooms may look spotless, but that doesn’t mean they’re truly clean. In critical environments like pharmaceutical labs, biotech manufacturing, and semiconductor facilities, contamination control is more than surface-level cleaning.

In this blogpost, we’re busting the top 6 myths about cleanrooms, and revealing the facts that keep your environment truly controlled.

If a room looks clean, it really is clean. 💨

Looks can be deceiving. Contaminants like bacteria, dust, and chemical residues are often invisible to the naked eye, so they can linger even in the shiniest spaces. Proper cleaning, validated disinfection, and air filtration are required to maintain a contamination-free environment.

Wearing cleanrooms garments is enough. 🥽

Not quite. Cleanroom garments significantly reduce particle shedding, but improper gowning technique can still introduce contaminants. So if it's not worn correctly, it can do more harm than good. Strict gowning protocols and training are essential.

Cleanrooms are only about keeping dust out. 🧫

Dust is just the start. While dust control is important, cleanrooms are also designed to prevent microbial contamination, chemical residues, and other particles that could impact sensitive processes in pharmaceutical and life science industries.

Sterile and clean are the same thing. 🔬

No! Clean means free from visible dirt and debris, while sterile means free from all microorganisms. A surface can be clean but not sterile. Something can look clean but still harbor microbial threats. Both require different procedures and verification.

Using more disinfectant is better. 🧼

More isn’t always better. Overuse of disinfectants can lead to residue buildup, microbial resistance, or material degradation. The key? Use the right products, rotate them, and follow the proper cleaning and application techniques. 

Once a cleanroom is set up, it stays clean. 🧪

Only with consistent effort. Cleanrooms require strict protocols, regular cleaning, air monitoring, and ongoing training to stay compliant and contaminant-free.

Final Thought

Maintaining cleanrooms isn’t just about appearances, but about science, discipline, and control. Which of these myths did you believe? Or which one surprised you the most?

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