CLEANING AND

DISINFECTING
LAB EQUIPMENT
FOR THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF COVID-19
 EMPLOYEES WORKING IN THE LAB NEED TO CLEAN AND
DISINFECT FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES AND
USE CLEANING LOG TO TRACK AND
EQUIPMENT IN THE LAB AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF DOCUMENT
EACH SHIFT

Shared equipment should be cleaned more

frequently and preferably before and after use
by a different person.

WHEN TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT

 Discard gloves after use
WEAR DISPOSABLE GLOVES
Wash hands with soap and water immediately after
COMPATIBLE WITH PRODUCT USED removing gloves

CLEAN DIRTY SURFACES WITH SOAP AND WATER PRIOR TO DISINFECTION

USE EPA APPROVED PRODUCTS

Concentration
CONSULT MANUFACTURER’S Contact time
INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE Application method

USE CARE WITH EQUIPMENT TO AVOID DAMAGE

HOW TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT

 UNPLUG EQUIPMENT WITH
EASILY ACCESSIBLE CORDS
PRIOR TO SPRAYING WITH
DISINFECTANT. (E.G, STIR
PLATES, VORTEX MIXERS,
AND SHAKERS)

UNPLUG
 Heat generating
equipment should be
turned off, unplugged and
sufficiently cooled before
spraying it with
disinfectant. (e.g., heat
blocks and hot plates)

COOL IT FIRST
 SPRAY SMALL
HANDHELD LAB
EQUIPMENT WITH
DISINFECTANT ON ALL
SIDES.

HANDHELD EQUIPMENT
 EQUIPMENT SUCH AS
FUME HOOD SASHES,
INCUBATORS, AND
REFRIGERATOR DOOR
HANDLES SHOULD BE
DISINFECTED DAILY
AND BETWEEN
USERS.

LARGE EQUIPMENT
Touch points
Disinfect equipment control pads and handles.
 IS IT HOT?
Do not use flammable disinfectants such as
70% ethanol or Isopropyl Alcohol on
equipment that generates heat unless it is
cooled first.
WILL BLEACH DAMAGE IT?
Avoid using bleach on surfaces that are
sensitive to corrosives or would be faded
when subjected to a 10% Bleach solution.

Other Options
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

WHAT TO USE
 IT DEPENDS ON THE PRODUCT AND FORM

READ THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS ON THE

DISINFECTANT TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTIVE CONTACT TIME
OR REFER TO THE CHART ON THE EPA N LIST WEBPAGE.

HTTPS://WWW.EPA.GOV/PESTICIDE-REGISTRATION/LIST-N-DISINF
ECTANTS-USE-AGAINST-SARS-COV-2

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

 www.auburn.edu/rms
1161 W. Samford Ave., Bldg. 9
Auburn, AL 36849
aurms@auburn.edu
334-844-4870 Office
334-844-4640 Fax
PPT adapted from: https://ehs.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Disinfecting-Lab-Equipment.pptx

CONTACT RMS FOR QUESTIONS