Proven Cleaning Procedures

Reference Paper
For Lab Balances and Safety Cabinets

To protect users when weighing potentially harmful or active pharmaceutical substances,

balances are often installed and used in safety cabinets. To maintain safety and avoid
­cross-contamination, it is essential to adopt effective cleaning measures.

This paper contains helpful information on cleaning methods and agents and gives instructions
how to clean a balance and the surrounding safety-cabinet area. It also provides solutions for
keeping your balance clean in the first place.

Cleaning a balance and the surrounding work

area is important to ensure operator safety
and long equipment life.
© SKAN AG

Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Cleaning Agents and Tools
2. The Right Time to Clean
3. Standard Balance and Safety-Bench Cleaning Procedures
4. Cleaning Tips for Weighing Instruments and Safety Cabinets
5. Ways to Avoid Spills and Dirt, Reduce the Need for Cleaning, and Save Time
Summary
 Introduction
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If you work in a lab, then you know that keeping a bal-

ance and the surrounding safety-cabinet area clean is Definitions
important. Appropriate cleaning procedures:
Cleaning: Physical removal of foreign
• Minimize cross-contamination risk. material, e.g. dust, soil or organic mate-
• Minimize undesired microbiological contamination. rial such as secretions, excretions and
• Enhance user safety. microorganisms. Cleaning generally re-
• Increase operating reliability. moves rather than kills microorganisms.
• Ensure accessibility for service maintenance. It is accomplished with water, detergents
• Reduce equipment failure rates. and mechanical action.

If you do not have sufficient cleaning SOPs, these points Decontamination: Removal of micro-
can represent a significant source of expense for your lab, organisms, radioactive substances or
whether in rework, health costs, or equipment service hazardous material to leave an item safe
and replacement costs. Keeping balances and surround- for further handling.
ing work areas clean is a great first step towards keeping
these kinds of costs in check. Disinfection: Inactivation of disease-
producing microorganisms. Disinfection
This paper will cover all aspects of balance cleaning does not destroy bacterial spores. Disin-
including: fectants are used on inanimate objects
in contrast to antiseptics, which are used
• How to clean various balance components. on living tissue. Disinfection usually in-
• How to clean internal safety-bench surfaces. volves chemicals, heat or ultraviolet light.
• Which cleaning agents are appropriate. The nature of chemical disinfection varies
• How to avoid making your balance dirty. with the type of product used.
• How intelligent solutions eliminate spills altogether.
Sterilization: Destruction of all forms of
Most recommendations in this paper apply to balances microbial life including bacteria, viruses,
and safety benches made by any manufacturer. Some spores and fungi. Ideally, items are
specifics of METTLER TOLEDO equipment will also be cleaned first so that effective sterilization
covered. When in doubt, the manual that came with your can take place.
balance or safety enclosure is the place to start for infor-
mation on cleaning and maintenance.

Essentially, cleaning can be quick and easy with

appropriate methods and know-how.

2 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

1. Cleaning Agents and Tools

Depending on the laboratory, different risks and potential for contamination exist. In chemical and pharmaceuti-
cal laboratories, primary risks include the potential for exposure to harmful chemicals or active substances,
either by inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact.

In biological laboratories, risks also include the potential for exposure to microorganisms that could results
in infection and illness. The level of potential exposure to biological contaminants will in part determine the
type of cleaning agent chosen. For example, an analytical laboratory primarily working with chemical agents
might prefer 70 percent isopropanol, while a biochemical laboratory would use 70 percent ethanol to reduce
contamination.

Secondarily, the cleaning agent selected must be able to fully remove contamination yet not damage the
equipment. A more complete reference of appropriate cleaning agents for lab and contaminant type you will
find in the reference paper “8 Steps to Clean a Balance”: www.mt.com/lab-cleaning-guide.

Balances should always be cleaned after weighing potentially toxic reagents. Cleaning the surrounding safety
cabinet should always follow a plan. At best, this is a cleaning and desinfection procedure. These procedures
should be accessible and visible for all concerned operators. A telescopic mop, as shown in the figure, is the
right tool for cleaning the interior of the safety cabinet.

Regardless of whether you are cleaning the balance, the safety cabinet, or both, always wear personal protec-
tive equipment (PPE). If you are entering the working chamber of a safety bench, this includes safety glasses,
FFP3-breathing protection and head wear as well as protection of the upper body (such as a hooded overall).

© SKAN AG

Figure 1: An operator using a telescopic mop.

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 2. The Right Time to Clean
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Laboratories differ on how often equipment should be cleaned depending on industry, application, frequency of
use, and process risk. This risk depends on an internal assessment. Generally, the assessment factors in issues
such as how much damage a wrong result will have on the analysis as well as how dangerous or toxic substances
in use are. SOPs will generally reflect this risk and specify the frequency of balance and safety-cabinet cleaning.

2.1 Recommended Cleaning Frequency for Balances

As a general rule the balance should be cleaned immediately after every use or change of weighing substance.

Every user expects that the previous user has left the instrument clean. However, control is always better than
trust. Therefore, before you start work, inspect the instrument in front of you. If the balance is obviously soiled,
then immediate cleaning prior to use is required.

When handling potentially toxic substances, the balance must always be cleaned immediately after use. This
avoids cross-contamination and exposure risk for the person who uses the instrument next.

2.2 Recommended Cleaning Frequency for Safety Benches

A daily moist-wipe disinfection of the work area before or after work, especially if a spill or other contamination
has occurred, is recommended. In cytostatic benches, it is common to disinfect before and after each batch
production. A thorough cleaning should be executed at least once a week or whenever contamination such as a
spill has occurred. Clean and disinfect all surfaces including the front windows, back and side walls / windows,
and the work surface itself.

Quick Tip: Lean Lab

Follow the 5S workplace organization technique:

The phase “shine“ (and “set in order“) recommends
Waste you divide the surroundings around your balance
and dirt Clean
into a “waste and dirt“ and “clean“ bench area. Keep
bench bench
area area used tools in the “waste and dirt“ area and place
accessories such as a printer in the “clean“ area.

4 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

3. Standard Balance and Safety-Bench Cleaning Procedures

General cleaning procedures follow for both balances and safety cabinets / benches. Please consult your balance
or safety-cabinet manual for exact procedures based on the models in use in your lab. Any unique procedures
required by the nature of your process or weighed substances should always be followed.

3.1 Balance Cleaning Procedure

1. Protect yourself and prepare the instructions
a) Wear appropriate PPE (coat, goggles and gloves).
b) Consult the operating instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble the removable parts of your balance.
c) Consult the operating instructions on which cleaning methods and agents are recommended for cleaning
­balance parts.

2. Switch off the balance display

Unplugging the power is recommended but not necessary. If possible, leave the balance in its normal operating
position. Do not tilt it sideways and don’t unplug connected peripherals.

3. Assess the area around the balance

Make a preliminary sweep of the area around the balance using an appropriate alkaline agent and a wipe to
help avoid further contamination (detailed safety-cabinet cleaning instructions follow in the next section).

4. Disassemble all removable parts

Depending on your balance model:
a) Unlock and gently remove the draft shield panes.
b) If there is an internal draft shield, remove it.
c) Remove the weighing pan, pan cover, pan support, wind ring and drip tray.

5. Clean the balance itself

Use a lint-free cloth moistened with a mild cleaning agent to clean and remove any material spilled on balance
surfaces. First remove powder and dust, then sticky substances.
a) For removal of powder or dust use a disposable tissue. Never blow; this could transport the dirt inside the bal-
ance or into the safety cabinet.
b) For removal of sticky substances use a damp, lint-free cloth and mild solvent (isopropanol or ethanol 70 per-
cent); avoid abrasive materials.
c) Wipe away from the hole in the middle of the balance. Do not allow any substance to enter the balance’s
internal parts and do not spray or pour liquids on the balance. This might lead to damage of the weighing cell
or other essential balance components.

6. Clean removable parts

Use a damp cloth or tissue and clean with a mild cleaning agent containing ethanol (e.g. a commercial window
cleaner), or simply place them in the dishwasher.

7. Clean the safety cabinet

Follow procedures in section 3.2 to thoroughly clean surfaces in the safety cabinet.

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 8. Reassemble the balance
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Make sure the parts are correctly positioned, switch the balance on and check that it is working correctly.
If completely switched off: Ensure enough warm-up time before first use (check the operating instructions
for the manufacturer’s recommendation).

9. Ensure the balance is ready

a) Ensure that the balance is leveled or take appropriate action to relevel if it is not.
b) Calibrate with external weights or execute an internal adjustment such as FACT.
c) Place a test weight on the weighing pan and perform a routine test to check accuracy.
d) Test accessories (e.g. make a test printout for printers).

3.2 Safety-Cabinet Cleaning Procedure

1. Pay attention to the following rules as you clean the safety bench
a) Air filters: Do not touch or damage installed air filters. They are usually made from glass fiber and are very
sensitive.
b) Wipes: Be aware that wipes can be sucked in air inlet grids. If any wipes become trapped, be careful, they
could be contaminated.
c) Drying time: Always consider the necessary reaction and drying times of cleaning agents. Allow cleaning
agents to dry before next use.
d) Hinged front windows: Generally, safety benches open on hinges for access to the working chamber. Always
open and clean them carefully. Never clean them when they are positioned directly over your head to avoid
injury should the hinges give way.
e) When cleaning toxic or hazardous substances, don’t forget to wear your PPE.

2. Clean the safety cabinet

a) Keep the safety bench in running mode.
b) Spray the disinfection agent only onto a wipe. Never spray it directly on any surface.
c) Wipe down the internal area with a cleaning agent (e.g. 0.1-molar sodium hydroxide solution) as a preclean,
especially for cytostatic safety benches.
d) Lift single working plates one by one to clean and disinfect all edges and undersides. Clean the drip tray too.
Don’t remove plates from the working chamber until they are properly cleaned and disinfected.
e) For disinfection, repeat steps b) through d) with a wet wipe of disinfectant, e.g. 70 percent isopropanol.
f) To clean and disinfect the external shell, use a neutral or even alkaline cleaner. Prior to cleaning, pretest your
cleaner on a hidden surface area and check any resulting reaction. Never use solvents.

3.3 Balance Cleaning Procedure

Learn more on how to clean a laboratory balance
and how to keep it clean.

www.mt.com/lab-cleaning-guide

6 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

 Safety-Cabinet Cleaning Procedure

Start

1 Keep the bench in running mode.

2 Wet a wipe with the appropriate cleaning agent.

3 Wipe down the internal area with slow moves

as a pre-cleaning step.

Lift each work plate one-at-a-time for wipe-down.

4 Be sure to get all undersides, edges,
and drip trays.

To disinfect, repeat the above steps using

5 a pre-wet wipe with disinfectant,
e.g. 70 percent isopropanol.

Clean the external shell with neutral or alkaline

6 cleaner (no solvents).

7 Reinstall and test the cleaned balance,

leveling as necessary.

End
Figure 2: General safety-enclosure cleaning procedure.

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 4. Cleaning Tips for Weighing Instruments and Safety
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Cabinets

4.1 METTLER TOLEDO Balances Are Designed

for Easy Cleaning Quick Tip: Sterilizing
METTLER TOLEDO Balances
Materials used for the housing, terminal and w ­ eighing
pan are durable and robust. Housings are typically METTLER TOLEDO recommends the use
­powder-coated die-cast aluminum, plastic, chrome of vaporized hydrogen peroxide. It is
steel and glass. Terminals are made of chrome-plated increasingly used as a standard to steril-
die-cast zinc and plastics, and grid weighing pans of ize cleanrooms and fume hoods as well.
­chrome-nickel steel (X2CrNiMo17-12-2, 1.4404). Even Because it does not damage electronics
with their robust design, however, certain precautions and other devices, it should be consid-
should be taken and appropriate agents used during ered a primary method for superficial
cleaning procedures. sterilization of METTLER TOLEDO bal-
ances when necessary.
Notable exceptions are draft shields. Where included,
draft shields can be taken apart and cleaned in dish- The following procedures are NOT recom-
washers up to 80 °C (176 °F). Weighing pans and mended for METTLER TOLEDO balances,
drip trays are removable and may also be cleaned but are acceptable for weighing pans
in ­dishwashers (check the instruction manual of the and drip trays:
­respective balance).
• Dry heat.
Balances resist a wipe-cleaning or disinfection with • Steam autoclaving.
­alcohols and hydrocarbons. Exposure can occur for • Ionizing radiation.
some minutes without damage. We recommend the • Ethylene oxide (EO).
use of alcohols as the disinfection agent of choice as • Formaldehyde fumigation.
noted in the procedures above.

8 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

4.2 Use Effective Wipe-Down Techniques for Safety Cabinets
Always wipe with slow moves. At first in lines from the top, down on vertical surfaces. Please ensure a small
overlap with each stroke to attend to the entire surface area. On horizontal work surfaces, always wipe in lines
from the rear to the front, being sure to overlap with each stroke to cover all surface area in a manner similar to
the one used for vertical surfaces.

© SKAN AG
Figure 3: Wipe-down cleaning technique.

Always wipe with the edge of your hand

After each draw, please turn the wipe.
When doing so, remember which Quick Tip: Protect Yourself
parts of the wipe are used and don’t
reuse sides. Use a fresh wipe, moist- For all cleaning steps, work with stan-
ened, when all sides have been used. dard laboratory PPE. Wear your lab
Don’t forget to clean and moisten coat, gloves, close-toed shoes and
© SKAN AG

all edges and corners of working goggles.

surfaces, including the drip tray and
external surfaces if required.

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 5. Ways to Avoid Spills and Dirt, Reduce the Need for Cleaning,
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and Save Time

The following five suggestions will help you keep your balance and safety cabinet clean, thereby preventing the
need for extensive cleaning in the first place.

1. Use a balance designed to avoid dirt

When evaluating a new balance, keep an eye on gaps and shoulders in the design and check if the draft shield
can be dismantled without tools. Better yet, determine if it can be removed in just a few steps and put in the
dishwasher. This can help ensure easy clean-up when spills occur.

In METTLER TOLEDO XPR and XSR lines, there are special “grid” weighing platforms (SmartGrid and SmartPan)
which ensure that spilled substances fall into the tray underneath and do not interfere with the weighing result
mid-process. Both pan and tray can be removed and put in the dishwasher for thorough cleaning after weighing
is complete.

Draft shield, dismantled in just a few Resistant housing and pan

steps — no tools needed support

Drip tray — catches powdery and Sensors for hands-free operation

liquid spills and is easily cleaned;
can be removed without tilting
Hanging grid weighing pan (SmartGrid)
— allows spillage to fall through

Figure 4: METTLER TOLEDO XPR analytical balance features that contribute to a clean weighing experience.

10 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

2. Avoid touch contamination or soiling
A balance that allows touchless operation — achieved through a built-in functionality, an optical hand-sensor,
or addition of a foot switch — can help prevent soiling. This can be especially helpful when working with toxic
substances.

A balance that allows you to detach the balance terminal and move it away from the weighing platform can
also help avoid contamination, as can the use of a secondary display or display stand.

Finally, if possible, use fewer cables, as these offer an excellent way to trap undesirable dirt and dust around
the weighing unit. Bluetooth may be a better option for data transfer in areas where cleanliness is of utmost
importance.

Figure 5: Operate the balance without touching it. Add an optical hand-sensor configured
to open the draft shield door, tare or print results with a wave of your hand.

Quick Tip: Create Contrast

When working with a white, powdery substance, change
out the XPR / XSR analytical balance base plate (drip tray)
with a grey one to see spills and residue clearly. Both
trays simply lift out for easy cleaning in the dishwasher.

Additionally, we recommended use of a UV-lamp for a

quick check if a balance and its surroundings are clean.

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 3. Protect the balance in-use
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Replaceable protective covers and mats safeguard your balance from soiling while in use. They also help to pre-
vent scratches and ensure a long instrument lifetime.

Protective covers
Exchangeable protective covers add an additional layer of protection for the bal-
ance. Safeguarding the balance from dirt and hazardous or sticky substances,
they can be easily thrown away and replaced when soiled. The protective covers
help to protect either the touchscreen and the terminal, the weighing pan or the
whole balance from spills or dust without interfering with balance operation.

4. Create a safe dosing experience

Sample and standard preparation require substance transfer from the original container to the preparation
(e.g. volumetric flask or test tube). All material transfers bear a risk of spills and the need for cleaning. The fol-
lowing actions and tools can help to minimize this risk.

a) Avoid scattering during transfer

Simplify dosing of powdery substances into flasks with the METTLER TOLEDO
SmartPrep weighing funnel and say goodbye to traditional weighing paper.
The disposable funnel is a single-use consumable used to weigh-in powders
prior to volumetric sample preparation. Thanks to its antistatic material, powder
is not scattered during weigh-in nor is it scattered during transfer to the flask
since the funnel fits most flask sizes. The substance can be rinsed directly into
the flask.

b) Safely dose directly into tare containers

One-step dosing directly into the tare container reduces transfer steps, eliminates
errors and substantially reduces contamination risk. METTLER TOLEDO has
designed various ErgoClip holders for many different applications and tare con-
tainers. These can be used to support direct transfer of samples into volumetric
flasks, vials, tubes, titration beakers and filters. ErgoClip holders fit all XPR and
XSR analytical balances with a SmartGrid weighing pan.

c) Secure dangerous powders

When working with toxic substances, the cleaning might be insufficient and the
affected area or weighing instrument must be decontaminated to eliminate oper-
ator exposure. METTLER TOLEDO has developed automated powder dispensing.
The substance is contained in the dosing head, completely eliminating operator
contact with the dosed substance.

12 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

Figure 6: ErgoClip holders stabilize the tare container in the XPR and XSR analytical balance to enable one-step direct dosing and eliminate
sample-transfer errors and scattering.

5. Protect the balance when it is not in use

They may be simple, but they work: Dust covers are excellent barriers against environmental contaminants like
dust and moisture. They also protect against accidental soiling or spills. All covers from METTLER TOLEDO are
designed to be chemically resistant and easy to place and remove.

Figure 7: Covers provide protection from dust and moisture when balances are not in use.

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 Summary
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Cleaning a balance and the surrounding safety-cabinet area is important to ensure accurate results and promote
long equipment life. It also has a direct impact on operator safety or desired microbiological cleanliness.

Cleaning can be easy with an understanding of methods and cleaning agents. Under aseptic conditions or with
highly active pharmaceutical substances, it can be useful to regularly validate the surface cleaning results.
With a systematic approach, it is easier to improve the procedures or the applied cleaning and disinfection
substances.

Ideally, laboratory SOPs dictate the schedule for equipment cleaning. After weighing, make sure the balance and
surrounding safety-cabinet area is clean for the next operator to prevent cross-contamination. Thorough cleaning
is mandatory, especially after weighing potentially toxic substances, to prevent exposure risk.

Use standard laboratory PPE during cleaning. Turn off balances before cleaning but keep the safety cabinet in
running mode. Use a tissue or telescopic mop to clean the surrounding safety-bench area. Adopting effective
wiping techniques will help you to achieve better results.

Dismantle the draft shield and either wipe the glass panes clean or place them in the dishwasher. Clean the bal-
ance using a moistened cloth and the mildest cleaning agent that will completely remove the substance. A list of
suitable cleaning and disinfecting agents can be found here: www.mt.com/lab-cleaning-guide.

It is critical to wipe any dirt or liquids away from the center hole of the balance underneath the weighing pan.
No substances should be allowed to fall or flow into the weighing cell. Additionally, to ensure accurate ongoing
operation, balances should always be levelled and adjusted (e.g. FACT) after cleaning.

Certain solutions help you avoid spillage during weighing. Anti-static SmartPrep funnels avoid spills and make
substance transfer easy. Grid weighing pans (SmartGrid and SmartPan) allow substances to fall into the tray so
they do not disrupt weighing. ErgoClip holders allow direct one-step dosing into the designated tare container.
Or, you can upgrade your analytical balance with a powder dosing module to secure your powders and dose
directly into tare containers.

Above all, a clean balance and safety-cabinet enclosure protects you from cross-contamination and ensures
that you and your team are not exposed to potentially harmful substances, making weighing safer for your entire
laboratory.

For more information, visit:

www.mt.com/lab-cleaning

14 METTLER TOLEDO Reference Paper

 Acknowledgments

Our thanks go to all the internal and external laboratory experts who contributed to the creation of this compre-
hensive and helpful guide.

In particular, we would like to thank Matthias Bittner, Business Development Manager at SKAN AG, who has pro-
vided practical content resulting from real-life procedures using safety cabinets.

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Benefit from Our Weighing Expertise

With decades of experience in laboratory weighing, METTLER TOLEDO can offer you a wide range of online
learning resources. Take advantage of our expertise to enhance your weighing know-how and make the most
of your balance. Check out the documentation on our internet pages for a range of relevant materials.

Expert Library
A one-stop portal for knowledge resources: White
papers, guides, videos, webinars and more.
• Educational papers with tips and tricks
• White papers with expert knowledge
• GWP® — the science-based weighing standard
www.mt.com/library

eLearning Courses
Learn the basics directly from our weighing experts.
Topics that make good starting points include:
• External Influences and Cleaning
• Safe Weighing Under Harsh Conditions
• Routine Balance Testing
www.mt.com/lab-elearning

METTLER TOLEDO Group

Laboratory Weighing
www.mt.com/balances
For more information
Local contact: www.mt.com/contacts

Subject to technical changes

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