Please read carefully before you proceed:
It is essential that you have read, understood, and received training on these SOP’s prior to performing any of the steps outlined. Improper handling of cleaning agents or exposure to biohazardous materials can pose serious risks to your health and safety, and may lead to equipment damage or cross-contamination.
Before beginning any cleaning procedure, ensure you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
If you have any uncertainties about the procedure, required PPE, or materials involved, consult your lab supervisor or biosafety officer before proceeding.
ℹ️ General overview
Required materials and PPE
PPE = personal protective equipment
Laboratory-approved surface disinfectant, e.g., ethanol (at least 70%) and Rodalon (according to package instructions). Please always double check the specific cleaning agents needed for the given microorganisms that you work with (see recommended cleaning agents below).
Paper towels, sterile lint-free wipes or non-shedding cloths.
Nitrile gloves, lab coat, and eye protection, additionally; laboratory-approved clothing (long pants, closed shoes, etc.).
Disinfectant spray bottle (if applicable).
Waste disposal container (biohazard bag if needed).
🧼 Recommended cleaning agents
🧼 Recommended cleaning agents
Based on microorganisms used in the experiment
E. Coli
70% ethanol
1 % sodium hypochlorite, Phenolics, glltaraldehydes, iodines, formaldehyde
Clostridium perfringens
SPORULATING. Resistant to a lot of disinfectants. Need high levels, such as 2% glutaraldehyde within 3 hours, or 8% formaldehyde
Resistant to ethyl and propyl alcohols as well as chlorine dioxide
Salmonella spp.
Phenols, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 4% formaldehyde, 2% glutaraldehyde, 70% ethanol, 70% propanol, 2% per acetic acid, 3-6% hydrogen peroxide, quaternary ammonium compounds
Resistance to nitrites
Bacillus cereus
SPORULATING.
Need treatment of glutaraldehyde is capable of inactivating (min. 30 minutes); PARTIAL ACTIVITY TOWARDS BIOFILMS. Spores are killed with 3 hour treatment with >2% glutaraldehyde (buffered to specific pH and added sodium bicarbonate) and 1-hour exposure to 10% hydrogen peroxide
S. aureus
70% ethanol
Chlorhexidine, 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde
L. monocytogenes
Sodium hypochlorite, iodophor and quaternary ammonium compounds.
📆 Daily-cleaning SOP: general surface wipe-down
ℹ️ Purpose:
Maintain cleanliness and reduce contamination risk during daily operation.
Specific areas targeted in this SOP:
Enclosure wipe-down
Carousel wipe-down
Front drawer and rotor wipe-down
Initiating cleaning mode
Ensure the device is in the idle state and all consumables removed.
Indicator light should show ⚪️ static white.
Click the arrow buttons ⬅️ ➡️ to rotate through both carousels.
Safely remove any remaining plates.
Enter device cleaning mode.
Press the cleaning button on the right side of the device to enter cleaning mode.
Indicator light will change to 🟡 animating yellow while entering cleaning mode.
Indicator light will change to 🟡 static yellow when cleaning mode is ready.
Enclosure cleaning
❗ Never spray cleaning solution directly onto the device.
Spray solution onto the towel and wipe down device’s external enclosure.
We recommend using paper towels and ethanol to wipe down the device.
Do not remove carousels from the device. Click the arrow buttons ⬅️ ➡️ to rotate through both carousels to clean them externally.
Front drawer cleaning
Open the device’s front drawer.
Confirm the device is in cleaning mode, indicated by a 🟡 static yellow indicator light.
Loosen and remove the knob screws on the left and right sides of the front drawer. Set them aside.
Pull on drawer until the rotors are fully visible.
Remove rotors from the device.
Find the hex key tool located in the left corner of the drawer.
Use the tool to loosen and remove the mounting screw that holds the rotors.
Remove rotors from the device and set them aside on a separate surface.
If you want to remove the ball bearing ring located between the two rotors, it can be done by turning the bottom rotor upside down.
The ball bearing ring consists of 3 separate parts, so remove it carefully.
Clean inside of the front drawer.
Wipe down the inside of the front drawer. Thoroughly clean both acrylic sections to ensure clear, high-quality image captures.
Clean both rotors.
Wipe down the rotors using the same solution. It’s okay to spray cleaning solution directly onto them (as long as they are away from the device).
Once cleaned, re-assemble front drawer parts.
Put the bottom rotor back in the front drawer first.
If you removed the ball bearing ring, place it in the groove of the bottom rotor.
Make sure the ball bearing ring is assembled in an order pictured below.
Put the top rotor on top.
Re-insert the small spacer, the large spacer, and the mounting screw. Tighten the screw securely with the hex key tool. When firmly tightened, the rotors should spin with minimal resistance.
Return the hex key tool to its storage holder in the left corner of the drawer for future use.
Close the front drawer.
Make sure that both rotors are aligned with the diagram inside the front drawer.
Push the drawer in until it's fully closed.
Re-insert and tighten both screw knobs.
Returning to operational mode
Press the cleaning button again
Indicator light will change to 🟡 animating yellow while exiting the cleaning mode.
Indicator light will change to ⚪️ static white when ready to be used again.
💦 Deep-clean SOP: crevices and service parts
ℹ️ Purpose:
Thorough decontamination to prevent biofilm buildup and maintain sterile operation.
Specific areas targeted in this SOP:
Rear spill tray
❗ We recommend performing the steps from 📆 Daily-cleaning SOP: general surface wipe-down before proceeding to deep-clean instructions.
Rear tray cleaning
Remove the device’s rear tray.
Confirm the device is in cleaning mode, indicated by a 🟡 static yellow indicator light. Find detailed guidance in Initiating cleaning mode section.
Loosen and remove the knob screws on the left and right sides of the rear tray. Set them aside.
Pull the rear tray out of the device. Set it down on a separate surface.
Clean the rear tray.
Spray and wipe down the rear tray thoroughly. It’s okay to spray cleaning solution directly onto it (as long as they are away from the device).
We recommend using paper towels and ethanol.
Put rear tray back into the device.
Re-insert the rear tray by pushing it into place.
Re-insert and tighten both screw knobs.
Returning device to operational mode.
Press the cleaning button to turn off cleaning mode. For more detailed guidance read Returning to operational mode section.
☣️ After-spill SOP: biohazard exposure
❗ Purpose:
To ensure immediate and safe containment and cleanup of biohazard spills on or near the device.
If contamination occurred:
Contain the contamination following your lab-specific cleaning and decontamination procedure.
Do not attempt to open or disassemble the device before receiving guidance from Reshape.
Contact Reshape immediately for assistance.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This SOP provides general guidance but must be followed alongside any additional lab-specific cleaning, decontamination, or documentation procedures. Always comply with your laboratory's specific protocols and safety requirements. Reshape assumes no liability for incorrect handling of biohazardous materials and cleaning agents.
Additional resources
Follow the link for a 15 minute training on the CDC BSL2 guidelines:
https://www.cdc.gov/training/quicklearns/biosafety/