Keeping your personal protective equipment clean isn’t just about appearances — it’s about protecting your safety and extending the life of your gear. If you’re wondering how often you should clean PPE, the answer depends on your environment, the risks you face, and the type of equipment you use. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to stay safe and compliant.
How Often Should You Clean PPE?
How often you clean PPE depends on your industry, risk level, and what it’s exposed to. Based on my experience, I recommend you follow industry safety rules and your company’s own policies. This helps keep the personal protective equipment working right and keeps workers safe.
Firefighting PPE Cleaning Schedule
- The 2020 NFPA 1851 standard says you need advanced cleaning for firefighter personal protective equipment at least two times a year. I think this is a necessary change.
- You must also clean PPE if it gets dirty, contaminated, or exposed to smoke or fire gases.
- This is more frequent than the old standard. That standard required advanced cleaning just once a year.
- You must now use washer/extractors. These machines let you program the temperature, water level, and soap. I find these much more effective. Top-loading machines are not permitted.
Case Example: Imagine a fire department has 100 firefighters. They need to perform at least 200 advanced personal protective equipment cleanings each year (that’s 2 per person). They also need extra cleanings for any gear that gets contaminated.
Cleanroom PPE Cleaning Frequency
- Your ISO class sets the cleaning schedule:
- For ISO 5 (Class 100) cleanrooms, all clean PPE requires changing each day.
- For ISO 8 (Class 100,000) cleanrooms, clean PPE might need changing just twice each week.
- All personal protective equipment used in cleanrooms must be labeled as compatible with the room’s classification. I suggest double-checking labels.
- In making semiconductors, personal protective equipment changes might occur between shifts or after tasks with a contamination risk. This depends on the specific cleanroom rules.
Manufacturing PPE Cleaning Intervals
- High-touch areas: Clean PPE at least once per day.
- Equipment surfaces: Clean PPE after every use or at least once per week.
- Workstations: Clean PPE each day, or as your work requires.
- In heavy industrial places, gloves and aprons might need cleaning or changing multiple times during a shift if they touch hazardous materials. I’ve seen this happen often in demanding roles.
Key Compliance Points
- Industry standards and SOPs:
- Rules or company policies often set the minimum cleaning times.
- Many industries need detailed, written standard operating procedures (SOPs). I believe these are essential. SOPs should list cleaning schedules, methods, and who is responsible.
- Risk of non-compliance:
- If you don’t follow the suggested cleaning times, the personal protective equipment might fail. This increases the danger of cross-contamination or exposure to hazards. I strongly advise against skipping cleanings.
PPE Cleaning Frequency Comparison Table
| Industry | Frequency of PPE Cleaning/Change | Standard/Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighting | Advanced cleaning minimum twice/year; clean after contamination | NFPA 1851 (2020) |
| Cleanrooms | Each day (ISO 5); twice per week (ISO 8) | ISO Cleanroom Standards |
| Manufacturing | High-touch each day; equipment after use/per week; workstations each day/as needed | Best practices/checklists |
How I Handle Cleaning PPE After Emergencies or Spills
Based on my experience, you must clean PPE right after any contact with risky materials, body fluids, or during big contamination events. I find this stops germs or chemicals from spreading and prevents further exposure.
Cleaning PPE After Incidents with Body Fluids
– Here’s the personal protective equipment I recommend: waterproof coveralls, waterproof disposable gloves, rubber boots, and safety goggles.
– If there’s a high risk of splashing (like with raw sewage or large blood spills), I suggest using a dust mask, disposable towels, and bags marked for biohazards.
– For personal protective equipment used in these situations:
– Discard disposable items right away.
– You should disinfect and clean reusable items completely soon after use.
Handling PPE After Chemical Spills
– I find this personal protective equipment essential: gloves, chemical-resistant coveralls or aprons, face shields, safety glasses, and steel-toe, chemical-resistant boots.
– After touching hazardous chemicals:
– Clean all reusable personal protective equipment quickly. Use the correct cleaning agents. This avoids long exposure.
– Dispose of disposable personal protective equipment carefully as contaminated waste.
Rules for Cleaning PPE
– Government groups like OSHA and the EPA have rules. They state that you must clean PPE dirtied by hazardous materials or germs as fast as possible after exposure.
– From my perspective, supervisors must make sure that:
– All workers cleaning spills have the correct personal protective equipment and use it correctly.
– Everyone follows the established cleaning steps carefully.
Industry Examples and My Recommended Practices
– OSHA suggests quick decontamination of gloves, goggles, and coveralls in healthcare and clean-up jobs after touching infectious materials.
– Biohazard clean-up teams should keep using full personal protective equipment. They must do this until there is no more risk of splashing, for instance, when fluids are dry.
– I recommend having written emergency cleaning plans and keeping logs for reusable personal protective equipment programs.
– The EPA states you need gloves, coveralls, safety glasses, face shields, and chemical-resistant, steel-toe boots as protection during chemical emergencies.
– In my opinion, supervisors must directly watch and enforce personal protective equipment use and cleaning steps during spill responses.
Key Points I Stress for Emergency PPE Cleaning
– All emergencies and contamination events require you to clean or dispose of personal protective equipment right away.
– Supervisors are responsible. They must ensure all team members use personal protective equipment correctly and follow cleaning procedures.
– Failing to follow these steps increases risks. These risks include spreading contamination, workplace injuries, and breaking regulations.
How to Clean Different PPE Types?
– Eye and Face Protection:
- Use mild dish soap and warm water to wash away dust. Use 91% isopropyl alcohol and two soft cotton rags to disinfect. Don’t scrub. I find patting it dry works best to avoid damage to protective surfaces.
– Disposable PPE (medical gloves, disposable masks, disposable coveralls, surgical gowns, isolation gowns, etc):
- Do not wash these items. Throw them away after one use. Cleaning breaks down their protection.
– Important Note:
- Always air-dry reusable personal protective equipment in a ventilated area or pat it dry with a clean cloth before storage. Store personal protective equipment separately from personal clothing and away from dirty areas.
- Personal protective equipment heavily soiled with hazardous materials must be discarded, especially items labeled “DANGER” or “WARNING.” Safety comes first.
Conclusion
How often you clean PPE depends on your industry, risk level, and exposure type. Following safety standards, company policies, and manufacturer instructions ensures personal protective equipment stays effective and workers stay protected. Understanding how often you should clean PPE —whether daily, weekly, monthly, or after emergencies—is essential for maintaining long-term safety, hygiene, and extending personal protective equipment’s lifespan.If you need to customize any personal protective equipment, you can contact us to get high-quality and low-cost products.
