8 Steps to a Clean Balance and 5 Solutions to Keep It Clean

 

 

A clean balance is a first step towards safe and accurate weighing and is the most important action to prolong instrument life. Further more and even more important cleaning increases user safety and reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

This paper imparts knowledge about cleaning methods and agents, provides instructions on how to clean a balance in 8 easy steps. In addition, 5 solutions will be discussed on how to avoid making your balance dirty in the first place.

 

Cleaning is Essential

 

If you work in a laboratory, then you know that ensuring its cleanliness has a significant impact on both operator safety and cross-contamination risk.

 

Keeping a Balance Clean is Important. It can:

 

• Minimize cross-contamination risk
• Enhance user safety
• Increase operating reliability, and
• Reduce equipment failure rates.

 

Each of these points can represent a significant source of expense for your lab, whether in rework, health costs, or equipment service and replacement costs. Keeping balances clean is a great first step towards reducing these costs.

 

Which Cleaning Agents Should I Use?

 

Depending on the Laboratory, Different Risks and Potential for Contamination Exist.

 

In chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories, the main risk is the potential for exposure to harmful chemicals or active substances, either by inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact. In biological laboratories, risks also include the potential for exposure to microorganisms that could results in infection and illness. The level of potential exposure to biological contaminants will in part determine the type of cleaning agent chosen. For example, an analytical laboratory primarily working with chemical agents might prefer 70% isopropanol, while a biochemical laboratory would use 70% ethanol to reduce contamination.

 

 

 

 

Balance Cleaning Procedure

 

1. Get Ready: Protect Yourself and Prepare Instructions.
2. a) Wear appropriate personnel protective equipment (coat, goggles and gloves).
3. b) Consult the operating instructions on how to disassemble and reassemble the removable parts of your balance.
4. c) Consult the operating instructions or table 1 (see p. 7) on which cleaning methods and agents are recommended to clean the balance parts.

 

2. Switch off the Balance Display.

Unplugging the power is recommended but not necessary. If possible, leave the balance in its normal operating position, do not tilt it sideways and don’t unplug connected peripherals.

 

3. Clean the Area Around the Balance.

Use a tissue to remove any dirt surrounding the unit to avoid further contamination.

 

4. Disassemble All Removable Parts.

Depending on your balance model:

1. a) Unlock and gently remove the draft shield panes;
2. b) Remove the inner draft shield;
3. c) Remove weighing pan, pan cover, pan support, wind ring and drip tray.

 

5. Clean the Balance Itself.

 

Use a lint-free cloth moistened with a mild cleaning agent to clean and remove any spilt material on the surface of the balance. First remove powder and dust, then sticky substances.

 

1. a) For removal of powder or dust use a disposable tissue. Never blow; this could transport the dirt inside the balance or outside in your laboratory environment.
2. b) For removal of sticky substances use a damp lint-free

 

 

cloth and mild solvent (isopropanol or ethanol 70%); avoid abrasive materials.

 

1. c) Wipe away from the hole in the middle of the balance. Do not allow any substance to enter the balance’s internal parts and do not spray or pour liquids on the balance. This might lead to damage of the weighing cell or other essential balance components.

 

6. Clean the Removable Parts.

Use a damp cloth or tissue and clean with a mild cleaning agent containing ethanol (e.g. a commercial window cleaner), or simply place them in the dishwasher.

 

7. Reassemble the Balance.

Make sure the parts are correctly positioned, switch the balance on and check that it is working correctly. If completely switched off: Ensure enough warm-up time before first use (check the operating instructions for manufacturer’s recommendation).

 

8. Ensure the Balance is Ready.
9. a) Ensure that the balance is leveled or take appropriate action to re-level if it is not;
10. b) Calibrate with external weights or execute an internal adjustment such as FACT;
11. c) Place a test weight on the weighing pan and perform a routine test to check accuracy;
12. d) Test accessories (e.g. make a test printout for printers).

 

 

 

Avoid Making Your Balance Dirty

 

Here are five solutions from METTLER TOLEDO that will help you prevent your balance from getting dirty in the first place.

 

1. Use a Balance Designed to Avoid Dirt

When evaluating a new balance, keep an eye on gaps and shoulders in the design and check if the draft shield can be dismantled without tools. Better yet, determine if it can be removed in just a few steps and put in the dishwasher.

 

This can help ensure easy clean-up when spills occur.

 

2. Avoid Touch Contamination or Soiling

 

A balance that allows touchless operation achieved through a built-in functionality, an optical hand-sensor, or addition of a foot switch can help prevent soiling. This can be especially helpful when working with toxic substances.

 

 

A balance that allows you to detach the balance terminal and move it away from the weighing platform can also help avoid contamination, as can the use of a secondary display or display stand.

 

Finally, if possible, use fewer cables, as these offer an excellent way to trap undesirable dirt and dust around the weig- hing unit. Bluetooth may be a better option for data transfer in areas where cleanliness is of utmost importance.

 

3. Protect the Balance In-Use
4. a) Protective covers

 

Exchangeable protective covers add an additional layer of protection for the balance. Safeguarding the balance from dirt and hazardous or sticky substances, they can be easily thrown away and replaced when soiled. The protective covers help protect the touchscreen and the terminal, the weighing pan or the whole balance from spills or dust, without interfering with balance operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Safe Dosing

 

Sample and standard preparation require substance transfer from the original container to the preparation vessel, such as volumetric flask, test tube, and other. All material transfers bear a risk of spills and potentially create a need for cleaning.

 

1. a) Avoid Scattering During Transfer

 

Simplify dosing of powdery substances into flasks, with the METTLER TOLEDO SmartPrep weighing funnel and say goodbye to traditional weighing-paper. The disposable funnel is a single-use consumable used to weigh-in powders prior to volumetric sample preparation. Thanks to its antistatic material, powder is not scattered during weigh-in nor is it scattered during transfer to the flask since the funnel fits most flask sizes. The substance can be rinsed directly into the flask.

 

1. b) Safely Dose Directly Into Tare Containers

 

One-step dosing directly into the tare container reduces transfer steps, eliminates errors and substantially reduces contamination risks. METTLER TOLEDO has designed various ErgoClip holders for many different applications and tare containers. These can be used to support direct transfer of samples into volumetric flasks, vials, tubes, titration beakers and filters. ErgoClip holders fit XPR analytical balances with a SmartGrid weighing pan

 

1. c) Secure Dangerous Powders

 

When working with toxic substances, cleaning might be insufficient and the affected area or weighing instrument must be decontaminated to eliminate the exposure risk to operators. For safer dosing, you can upgrade your METTLER TOLEDO XPR analytical balance with a powder dispensing module that enables powders to be dispensed automatically. The substance is contained in the dosing head, completely

 

eliminating the contact of the operator with the dosed substance.

 

5. Protect the Balance When It is Not in Use They may be simple, but they work: Dust covers are excellent.

 

barriers against environmental contaminants like dust and moisture. They also protect against accidental soiling or spills. All covers from METTLER TOLEDO are designed to be chemically resistant and easy to place and remove.