Understanding the Types of Cleaning in Pharma

November 17, 2023

Pharma, or the pharmaceutical industry, is a key sector in the modern world. It makes medicines & products that safeguard & improve our health & well-being. For that reason, understanding the different types of cleaning in pharma is crucial for maintaining safety & quality.

Pharmaceutical manufacturing companies are at the forefront of the ongoing fight against diseases. Proper cleaning processes are vital to ensuring the efficacy, safety & quality of the products produced.

What’s more, the right cleaning procedure is essential for the well-being of the people who work there. From research labs to manufacturing facilities, every area must adhere to strict cleaning & maintenance standards.

Furthermore, in this article, we'll take a closer look at how cleaning happens in the pharmaceutical world. We'll talk about the different methods used & the challenges that companies face in keeping things clean.

The Types of Cleaning in Pharma

First thing to remember, maintaining cleanliness is a top priority in the pharmaceutical industry. For instance, it is crucial for making sure that medicines, medical devices & other products are clean & as a result, safe & effective. To achieve this, companies use a variety of cleaning methods, each with its own specific use. Companies like Pritchard specialize in these types of cleaning, ensuring top-notch results. Here are the three main methods:

Manual Cleaning Process

Similarly, the manual cleaning process involves physically removing dirt, residue & other contaminants. Skilled workers usually handle this. In the pharma world, a manual cleaning procedure is needed. For the same reason as stated above, these include:

Cleaning complex equipment
Handling harmful chemicals
Switching between different products
Cleaning equipment used in biological research

A well-trained team is key for manual cleaning. After time, companies often rely on experts like Pritchard to make sure the job is done right.

Clean-In-Place Cleaning (CIP)

CIP, or Clean-in-place, one of the types of cleaning in pharma that is an automated equipment cleaning method that uses sprayers to apply cleaning solutions. CIP solutions can clean the interior surfaces of pipes, vessels & equipment without the need for disassembly. Additionally, this makes it a time-efficient solution for pharmaceutical manufacturing companies.

Chiefly, using CIP correctly has several benefits. Above all, it cuts down on downtime & is more efficient. It also helps companies maintain consistent quality while using fewer resources like water & cleaning agents.

However, CIP requires special equipment & the right cleaning solutions. Basically, by having the right cleaning machine, you ensure that there is no product residue or anything left behind from the previous product.

Clean-Out-of-Place Cleaning (COP)

COP, or Clean-Out-of-Place, is a specialized equipment cleaning method. Unlike CIP, it is used when equipment can't be cleaned in its current location. This often happens, for instance, with machinery that has many complex parts & is it difficult to clean without taking it apart.

For instance, COP is used for:

Cleaning equipment with intricate components that are hard to reach
Routine maintenance checks

Since COP type of cleaning involves disassembling equipment, it requires a team with a deep understanding of pharmaceutical equipment, types of cleaning protocol & standards. Companies often rely on experts in the field, like Pritchard, to oversee or carry out these intricate cleaning tasks.

Types of Cleaning Validation & Verification in Pharma

The pharmaceutical industry operates under strict regulations & legislative guidelines. Exceptional quality assurance & compliance are necessary to ensure that medicines & products are safe & effective.

Therefore, cleaning validation & verification are cornerstones of the pharmaceutical cleaning process. Validation ensures equipment is cleaned properly. It checks that all traces of soil & detergent are removed from equipment.

In other words, companies that specialize in pharma cleaning, like Pritchard, can do these cleaning verification checks. They use methods like swab tests & rinse tests to check for contamination & traces of a cleaning agent.

Above all, an effective pharmaceutical cleaning validation process helps companies meet strict FDA standards & adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice.

GMP standards require companies to have types of pharma cleaning procedures in place to prevent cross-contamination & ensure safety. FDA standards cover everything from cleaning processes to quality assurance & documentation.

Documentation is a key part of compliance in the pharmaceutical industry. Every action in the cleaning process, from start to finish, must be recorded & verifiable. This ensures that companies are meeting all required standards.

Failing to comply with these standards can result in serious consequences. These include regulatory sanctions, product recalls & significant financial losses for pharma companies.

Cleaning Agents & Solvents in Pharma

Having a good cleaning plan in the pharmaceutical industry takes more than just knowing the basics. You also need to know about the specific types of cleaning agents, solvents & technologies that are used.

Different cleaning agents are used for different needs. This can vary from one company to another. For instance, Isopropyl alcohol is excellent for killing germs & cutting grease. Hydrogen peroxide reduces the risk of contamination from small organisms like bacteria.

Common types of cleaning agents used in pharma include:

Isopropyl alcohol: Effective for cleaning equipment & surfaces due to robust decreasing & disinfection properties.
Hydrogen peroxide: Ideal for cleaning & disinfection, as well as the removal of microorganisms in aseptic environments.
Sodium hypochlorite: Otherwise known as bleach, sodium hypochlorite is effective for the decontamination of surfaces & equipment.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats): Commonly used for cleaning pharmaceutical settings such as cleanrooms.
Acetone: Effective for removing residues insoluble in water. This product is ideal for equipment cleansing.
Ethanol: A common disinfectant frequently used for decontaminating surfaces & equipment.
Citric acid: A powerful cleaning agent used for cleaning stainless steel equipment, removing mineral deposits & cleansing surfaces.
Sodium bicarbonate: Ideal for cleaning sensitive surfaces & equipment where more abrasive agents may cause damage.
Hydrochloric acid: This powerful acidic agent is effective at removing mineral deposits & build-up from equipment.
Purified water: Often used for the final rinsing process to ensure the full removal of cleaning agents & contamination.

Many of these substances must be handled with a significant level of care. Incorrect use of any cleaning agent mentioned above can harm people, hurt the environment & damage your pharma tools.

Cleaning Equipment & Technology in Pharma

It goes without saying, in the pharma industry, detailed cleaning is crucial. For this reason, advanced equipment & technology types are used in the cleaning process. The tools you use may differ based on your company's needs. Here are some common ones:

Ultrasonic cleaners: Ultrasonic cleaners use sound waves at high frequencies. The bubbles produced by sound waves produce microscopic shockwaves. These, in turn, remove dirt & contaminants from complex machines without causing harm.
Pressure washers: Pressure washers use high-pressure water jets to remove dirt, contaminants & grime. They’re excellent for less-sensitive pieces of equipment & surfaces, such as worksurfaces.
Automated systems & robotics: Automated cleaning systems can be programmed to perform specific cleaning tasks with exceptional precision. They’re ideal for cleanrooms where minimizing human interaction is often essential.

Albeit, as technology keeps advancing, new methods are quickly showing up in pharma cleaning. Robotics, AI & automated technologies are making big changes.

However, using these advanced tools & systems isn't straightforward. They require specialists with a high level of expertise & knowledge. That's where companies like Pritchard come in. As a result, you receive the specialized expertise needed for these advanced technologies.

Challenges & Best Practices in Pharmaceutical Cleaning

The pharma field has its own set of unique challenges due to strict rules & complex work settings. Companies face daily issues that can affect the quality of their products & the safety of their teams. Here are some key challenges:

Contamination: Contamination, whether particulate, chemical, or microbial, can pose a significant challenge in pharmaceutical cleaning. Even the slightest trace element can compromise the quality or safety of pharmaceutical products.
Cross-contamination: Also, a constant worry for pharmaceutical brands, cross-contamination can be extremely problematic. Preventing the accidental transfer of contaminants & substances between products & equipment is critical to maintaining product integrity.
Residue detection: Residues in miniscule quantities can be difficult to detect manually. However, even the slightest amount of residue left over on a surface or equipment can lead to product contamination.

Addressing all of these challenges, while adhering to standards for productivity, efficiency & sustainability, requires planning & the right support. Some of the best types of cleaning practices pharma companies can follow include:

1. Always Validate Cleaning Procedures

As always, make sure to validate your cleaning methods. Cleaning verification ensures you meet both industry rules & your own quality standards. It's a must for removing any contamination effectively.

2. Develop Clear Standard Operating Procedures

In addition, standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the backbone of a good cleaning process. A strong SOP gives clear, step-by-step directions. It tells staff who does what & outlines the tools, cleaning agents & quality checks to use.

3. Perform Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are key for spotting possible contamination or other issues. Identifying risks early allows companies to act fast to prevent problems.

4. Select Effective Cleaning Agents

The right cleaning solution is essential to ensuring any cleaning process is effective. Selecting the most appropriate agents for specific surfaces & contaminants requires a deep understanding of the solutions available to the pharma landscape.

5. Work with the Experts

Implementing the right types of cleaning in pharma isn't easy. It can be a time-consuming & complex process. That's why expert help, like the services offered by Pritchard, can be so valuable. Choose a specialist cleaning service with pharma experience to help your business grow.

Choose Pritchard for Your Pharma Cleaning Needs

Selecting the right cleaning methods & agents in pharma is complicated, as shown above. In conclusion, that's why having the support of an experienced company like Pritchard is so important.

Expertise:
At Pritchard, we're experts in pharma cleaning that meets top standards. By comparison, our team has years of experience, making sure your business, your team & your products stay safe.
Innovation & Safety:
Furthermore, we stand out for our commitment to innovation & safety. We use the latest equipment & understand the unique needs of the pharma sector.
Regulatory Compliance:
We are well-versed in Good Manufacturing Practice & FDA rules. This helps us create an effective standard operating procedure for pharma cleaning.
Quality Control:
As always, we follow strict quality guidelines. This ensures we pay close attention to every detail in the cleaning process.
Custom Solutions:
Indeed, our services are tailored to your needs. We aim to improve & safeguard your pharma facility.
Minimized Disruption:
Even more, we work with your team to cut down on disruptions & keep your business running smoothly. This means less downtime for you.

Reach out to our team today to find out how Pritchard helps your pharma business succeed.

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In the pharmaceutical industry, cleanliness isn’t optional. It’s critical. Contamination can ruin products & disrupt production. It can lead to recalls, penalties, or worse—compromised patient safety. As a pharmaceutical facility, you face intense pressure to maintain a pristine environment at all times. That’s where specialized cleaning services, including the 3 types of cleaning in pharma, come in.

Pritchard understands the stakes. Our team knows how important it is to keep your space clean, compliant & safe. With over a century of experience, we offer tailored cleaning solutions for the unique needs of the pharmaceutical sector. Today, we’re focusing on the three types of cleaning in pharma that are crucial to your operations: routine cleaning, deep cleaning & controlled environment (cleanroom) cleaning.

1st Type of Cleaning in Pharma

Routine Cleaning, Maintaining Day-to-Day Hygiene

Routine cleaning is the foundation of a clean pharmaceutical facility. Your team can’t afford to let dirt, dust, or contaminants build up. Routine cleaning focuses on high-traffic areas such as lobbies, offices & restrooms. It includes daily tasks like sweeping, mopping, vacuuming & wiping down surfaces. But in the pharmaceutical world, routine cleaning goes beyond standard janitorial work.
Your facility has strict hygiene standards. Every touchpoint—door handles, counters, equipment—needs regular attention. Our cleaning specialists follow specific protocols to minimize cross-contamination risks. We use industry-approved cleaning agents that meet regulatory requirements for your sector. Regular cleaning helps prevent the spread of germs & keeps your environment sanitary, reducing the risk of disruptions among the 3 types of cleaning in pharma.

2nd Type of Cleaning in Pharma

Deep Cleaning, Tackling the Tough Stuff

Routine cleaning isn’t enough on its own. Over time, grime builds up in places that routine tasks can’t reach. That’s where deep cleaning comes in. Deep cleaning addresses hard-to-reach spots & hidden contaminants. This type of cleaning is more thorough & happens less frequently but is essential for your facility’s overall cleanliness.

In pharmaceutical settings, deep cleaning often involves scrubbing & sanitizing areas like floors, ceilings, vents & equipment. It might also include disinfecting hard-to-reach spaces, such as behind machinery or in ventilation ducts. Your team relies on these areas remaining clean, even if they aren’t part of your daily operations.

At Pritchard, we use specialized equipment & techniques for deep cleaning. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuuming, steam cleaning & electrostatic disinfection ensure that your space is as clean as possible. Deep cleaning reduces the risk of contamination build-up & maintains the integrity of your facility, making it one of the crucial 3 types of cleaning for the pharma industry.

3rd Type of Cleaning in Pharma

Controlled Environment (Cleanroom) Cleaning: Precision Matters

Cleanroom cleaning is the most specialized type of cleaning in pharmaceutical facilities. These environments are strictly controlled to prevent even the smallest contaminants from entering. Your cleanrooms are where the most sensitive research & production happens. One mistake can cause contamination, leading to ruined products or costly downtime.

Cleanroom cleaning requires precision & strict adherence to protocols. Every surface must be cleaned with extreme care. From walls to floors to equipment, our team uses sterile tools & the right disinfectants. We also follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) guidelines to ensure compliance with industry standards. Cleanroom cleaning goes beyond basic sanitation; it’s about maintaining an ultra-clean environment where every detail matters in the context of 3 types of cleaning in pharma.

At Pritchard, we train our teams to understand cleanroom protocols. Our experts wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) & use specialized cleaning products designed for controlled environments. Cleanroom cleaning isn’t just part of the job; it’s a critical component of your facility’s operation.

Why Trust Pritchard?

Your pharma facility requires more than just cleaning. It demands precision, consistency & expertise. Pritchard delivers all three. Our team understands the regulatory landscape & knows what it takes to keep your facility compliant. From routine cleaning to deep cleaning to specialized cleanroom services, we provide comprehensive solutions involving 3 types.

Every product that leaves your facility has the potential to impact patient health. You can’t take risks when it comes to cleanliness. Pritchard helps ensure that every inch of your space meets the highest standards. Cleanliness isn’t just a requirement; it’s a responsibility.

Let’s keep your facility running smoothly. Reach out to Pritchard for a customized cleaning plan tailored to your pharmaceutical environment. We’ll help you maintain a clean, safe & compliant space so you can focus on what you do best—improving lives.