DECENT CLEANING — LABORATORY CLEANING TRAINING GUIDE
Safe. Precise. Professional.
🧠1. Introduction to Laboratory Cleaning
Our Commitment
Decent Cleaning provides specialist cleaning for controlled environments across Cambridge. Laboratory cleaning requires precision, safety, and strict adherence to protocol. Every cleaner must follow this guide exactly to protect people, equipment, and research integrity.
Your Responsibility
- Maintain a safe, contamination‑controlled environment
- Follow all lab‑specific rules and signage
- Respect equipment and never interfere with experiments
- Work calmly, methodically, and professionally
🛡️ 2. Safety Induction (Mandatory)
Brand Colours Applied:
- Section headers in #904434
- Sub‑headers in #81878C
- Body text on #FFFFFF background
Required PPE
- Disposable gown or lab coat
- Nitrile gloves
- Eye protection
- Closed, non‑mesh footwear
- Mask if aerosols or powders are present
Safety Essentials
- Know emergency exits and muster points
- Identify spill kits and first‑aid stations
- No eating, drinking, or phone use inside the lab
- Report hazards immediately to the supervisor
⚗️ 3. Hazard Awareness (COSHH‑Aligned)
Chemical Hazards
- Follow COSHH sheets for all substances
- Never mix chemicals
- Only use Decent Cleaning–approved products
Biological Hazards
- Treat all surfaces as potentially contaminated
- Only clean areas marked “safe to clean”
- Never handle biological waste unless trained
Sharps
- Never pick up needles, blades, or broken glass
- Notify lab staff for safe disposal
🧰 4. Tools, Products & Colour Coding
Approved Equipment
- Colour‑coded cloths (lab‑specific)
- 70% IPA wipes or lab‑approved disinfectant
- Disposable mop heads
- HEPA‑filtered vacuum (if required)
- Autoclave‑safe waste bags (if authorised to handle waste)
Colour Coding (Decent Cleaning Standard)
| Colour | Use |
|---|---|
| Red | High‑risk zones (if authorised) |
| Blue | General lab surfaces |
| Yellow | Equipment exteriors |
| Green | Glass, screens, and displays |
🧼 5. Step‑by‑Step Laboratory Cleaning Procedure
Step 1 — Sign In & Confirm Zones
- Check with lab supervisor
- Only enter areas marked ready for cleaning
- Confirm if any experiments are active
Step 2 — Prepare PPE & Equipment
- Put on full PPE
- Prepare disinfectants
- Ensure waste bags are correctly labelled
Step 3 — Remove General Waste (If Authorised)
- Only remove waste from designated bins
- Do not touch biohazard, chemical, or sharps waste
Step 4 — Clean & Disinfect Surfaces
Use the Top → Middle → Bottom method:
- High surfaces (shelves, ledges)
- Benches and worktops
- Chairs, stools, equipment exteriors
- Floors
Disinfection Rule:
- Apply disinfectant
- Leave for required contact time (5–10 minutes)
- Wipe dry with a clean cloth
Step 5 — Equipment Exteriors Only
Clean only the outside of:
- Centrifuges
- Microscopes
- Fridges/freezers
- Incubators
- Water baths
Never open or adjust equipment.
Step 6 — Floors
- HEPA vacuum if required
- Mop with approved disinfectant
- Avoid disturbing cables or equipment stands
Step 7 — Final Checks
- No streaks on benches
- No residue on floors
- Waste removed
- PPE disposed of correctly
- Hands are washed before leaving
🧹 6. Specialist Areas (Advanced Training)
Cleanrooms
- Follow unidirectional cleaning
- Use lint‑free cloths
- Strict gowning procedures
Laminar Flow Hoods
- Only clean when authorised
- Use 70% IPA
- Wipe back → front
Chemical Spills
- Only trained staff may respond
- Use spill kits
- Report immediately
📋 7. Documentation & Sign‑Off
- Complete Decent Cleaning’s lab cleaning log
- Record disinfectants used
- Note hazards or abnormalities
- Supervisor signs off
👥 8. Shadowing & Competency Sign‑Off
- Observe a trained cleaner
- Clean low‑risk areas
- Clean a full lab under supervision
- Pass the competency checklist
- Approved for independent work