Laboratory

Q: Can Alconox Inc. recommend how to effectively remove stubborn permanent marker from glassware and other labware without solvents like alcohol?

A: As everyone who has worked in a lab and similar facilities knows, marking beakers, vessels, and other reusable labware is part of everyday life. As is reusing them. With a move away from hazardous solvents like acetone, as well as regulated and in-demand alcohol, cleaning them with aqueous detergents becomes very desirable. We’ve had the most success at removing permanent marker….

Q. What are important items to include in standard operating procedures for cleaning? A.  A large part of successful cleaning relies on having a sound, reproducible procedure. In general, a good SOP should present a list of materials and people…

Per Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting viruses and other pathogens, any form of disinfection necessarily follows cleaning.  The process of cleaning will remove any residues that might shield any virus or pathogen from the disinfection step that comes next.  Disinfection, following the thorough cleaning and rinsing, can be done with bleach solutions….

Did you know? If It’s Not Clean, You Can’t Sterilize.

Why must instruments be cleaned before being sterilized? According to the CDC, “Cleaning should precede all disinfection and sterilization processes.Cleaning involves the removal of debris (organic or inorganic) from an instrument or device. If visible debris is not removed, it will interfere with microbial inactivation and can compromise the disinfection or sterilization process.”

Q: What Alconox Inc. products are listed and FDA registered detergents? A: All Alconox Inc. detergents are Class I Medical Devices and listed as FDA registered detergents. The list of the detergents are found on the FDA website with FDA Registration number 2410887.