If you regularly need to disinfect stainless steel laboratory equipment such as biosafety cabinets, you know that certain chemicals can do more harm than good. Just as some chemicals will not eradicate the microorganisms you are trying to do away with, certain chemical cleaners will not be compatible with the surface you are trying to disinfect. Using the wrong disinfectant on a regular basis can lead to pitting, rusting, or staining, leaving you with a surface that will be difficult to clean properly.
Baker has created a handy, downloadable poster listing the most common disinfectants and their appropriateness for use in cleaning biosafety cabinets. Common cleaning chemicals are rated A through D, indicating their effect on stainless steel. Category A chemicals are considered extremely safe and include water, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol. Category D chemicals, such as iodine or sodium hypochlorite, are more damaging to stainless steel and should always be followed by a sterile rinse with a chemical from category A.
About Baker
For more than 60 years, Baker has been setting the standard for air containment and contamination control equipment with innovative solutions that protect users, research product and the environment.
