Cleanroom attire is special clothing worn to reduce contamination from people working inside a cleanroom. It helps contain hair, skin, particles, clothing fibers, and other contaminants that could affect sensitive products or processes. Common cleanroom attire includes coveralls, hair covers, masks, gloves, and cleanroom shoes or boots.
Wearing the right clothing and putting it on correctly is an important part of keeping the cleanroom controlled. This guide explains what to wear in a cleanroom, how to gown correctly, and the key practices to follow before and after entering.
Why is Cleanroom Attire Important?
People naturally release particles as they move. Hair can fall out. Skin sheds tiny particles. Regular clothes release lint and fibers. Shoes can carry dust and dirt from other areas. People can also carry microorganisms, which are especially important in places where sterile products are made.
Cleanroom clothing serves as a barrier between the worker and the clean environment. For example, a coverall covers the body and regular clothing, a hair cover keeps loose hair contained, gloves cover the hands, and cleanroom footwear prevents regular shoes from tracking dirt into the room.
The material, design, fit, and condition of each garment also matter. Cleanroom clothing should provide the required body coverage without making normal movement difficult.
Where Is Cleanroom Attire Used?
Cleanroom attire is used in industries where products, components, or research must be protected from unwanted particles or microorganisms during production and handling.
Common applications include:
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing: Used during the production, processing, and filling of medicines and biotechnology products. Aseptic operations have particularly strict gowning requirements because exposed sterile products must remain sterile.
- Semiconductor and electronics manufacturing: Used when producing semiconductor wafers, microchips, and sensitive electronic components. Even very small particles can interfere with the tiny features formed on a wafer, while some electronics also need protection from electrostatic discharge.
- Medical device manufacturing: Used during the production and assembly of medical devices that have specific cleanliness or microbiological requirements, particularly while components and surfaces are exposed.
- Aerospace, optics, and precision manufacturing: Used when producing optical components, sensors, spacecraft parts, and other precision products. Particles on critical surfaces can interfere with inspection, assembly, optical performance, or the operation of sensitive components.
- Research laboratories: Used in microfabrication, nanotechnology, semiconductor research, optics, and similar fields. Small particles can interfere with samples, prepared surfaces, experiments, and tiny fabricated structures.
The gowning requirements are not identical in all of these applications. Some areas need basic cleanroom clothing, while processes with stricter cleanliness or sterility requirements can require much greater body coverage.
What Are the Different Types of Cleanroom Attire
Cleanroom attire comes in different shapes and levels of coverage. Some garments cover most of the body, while others cover only the hair, hands, face, or footwear.
Cleanroom Coveralls
A cleanroom coverall, often called a bunny suit, is a one-piece garment that covers the torso, arms, and legs. It looks similar to a lightweight jumpsuit and covers most of the body from the neck down. It is worn over regular clothing or cleanroom undergarments, keeping the worker’s skin and clothing covered while inside the cleanroom.
Cleanroom coveralls are usually made from low-shedding synthetic materials. They can be reusable or disposable and sterile or non-sterile. Some also have electrostatic dissipative properties for work with static-sensitive electronics.
Cleanroom Frocks, Smocks, and Lab Coats
Cleanroom frocks, smocks, and lab coats are coat- or dress-style garments worn over regular clothing. Unlike a coverall, they do not completely cover the body. They mainly cover the torso and arms and usually extend down to hips, thighs, or knees, depending on the design. The lower legs remain uncovered.
Because they are easier to put on and remove than a full coverall, they are commonly used in cleanrooms where full body coverage is not necessary.
Hair and Beard Covers
A hair cover is a lightweight cap worn over the hair. A common type is the bouffant cap, which has a loose, rounded shape with an elastic edge around the head.
Its loose shape gives longer or thicker hair enough room to fit inside. All hair should be tucked in to prevent hair from falling. A beard cover is a small net or fabric covering worn over facial hair. It is usually fitted around the beard with elastic loops or bands.
Cleanroom Hoods
A cleanroom hood covers the head, hair, ears, neck, and most of the face, leaving an opening around the eyes. The hood extends down the neck and shoulders. Its lower part is tucked inside or overlapped with the coverall or bunny suit so the neck, hair, and clothing underneath are not left exposed.
This gives more coverage than a bouffant cap, which only covers the hair. Cleanroom hoods are used when head, neck, and most of the face need to be covered.
Cleanroom Masks
A cleanroom mask covers the nose and mouth. It is usually secured with ear loops, ties, or straps around the head. The mask catches many of the small droplets released when a person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. This helps keep these droplets from reaching cleanroom products and work surfaces.
A cleanroom mask can be worn on its own or with a cleanroom hood, depending on the clothing required for the area.
Cleanroom Gloves
Cleanroom gloves fit closely over the hands and fingers, similar to medical examination gloves. Many have longer cuffs so they can overlap the sleeves of a coverall or the other cleanroom garment.
They keep bare hands from directly touching products, tools, equipment, and work surfaces. The glove materials and design depend on the job. Some applications require sterile gloves, while others need gloves suitable for chemical or static-sensitive electronics.
Cleanroom Goggles
Cleanroom goggles cover the eyes and the surrounding skin, including the area often left open by a cleanroom hood. They can also protect the eyes from splashes during tasks where eye protection is needed.
Cleanroom Footwear
Cleanroom footwear includes shoe covers, cleanroom shoes, and boots.
- Shoe covers are disposable covers worn over regular shoes. They cover the soles and the rest of the shoes, which helps prevent dirt and dust on regular footwear from being carried onto the cleanroom floor. Shoe covers are used in cleanrooms where regular shoes are allowed.
- Cleanroom shoes are different because they replace regular shoes instead of covering them. They are kept inside the clean area and are not worn outdoors or in general work areas. This keeps dirt picked up outside from being carried back into the cleanroom.
- Cleanroom boots cover the feet and extend up the lower legs. They are worn with coveralls or a bunny suit when more of the leg needs to be covered. Unlike simple shoe covers, cleanroom boots are part of a more complete cleanroom outfit.
Very clean or highly sensitive cleanrooms require dedicated cleanroom shoes or boots instead of simple covers over everyday shoes. The footwear used is based on the cleanroom gowning procedure and the work being performed. Some cleanroom shoes and boots are also made for areas where static electricity is a concern, such as semiconductor and electronics manufacturing.
What to Wear Under a Cleanroom Suit
What you wear under a cleanroom suit depends on the cleanroom rules. Some facilities allow clean everyday clothing, while others require dedicated scrubs or cleanroom undergarments. Whatever is worn underneath should be clean, comfortable, and low in lint. Clothing that sheds fibers, such as fuzzy sweaters or fleece, may not be allowed because these fibers can escape when changing clothes or gowning.
The clothing should also fit comfortably under the coverall. Thick and bulky clothes can make the suit too tight and make it harder to bend, reach, or move normally. In cleanrooms that provide dedicated undergarments or scrubs, change into them before putting on the cleanroom suit. Do not wear clothing underneath that is prohibited by the facility’s gowning rules.
What to Check Before Gowning
Before putting on cleanroom attire, check that you have the correct garments and that each one is clean and in good condition. Look for tears, holes, loose seams, broken zippers, damaged elastic, or visible dirt. Do not use a damaged garment because it may leave your skin or clothing exposed.
Check the size as well. Clothing that is too small can restrict movement or pull apart at the openings, while clothing that is too large can be difficult to put on without touching the floor or nearby surfaces.
If the garments come in sealed packaging, check that the package has not been opened or damaged. Before you start gowning, remove watches, jewelry, and other personal items that are not allowed in the cleanroom.
How to Put On Cleanroom Attire
Cleanroom attire should be put on carefully so the clean garments do not touch the floor or other dirty surfaces. The exact gowning procedure can vary, so follow the procedure used in your cleanroom.
A typical gowning sequence is:
- Clean your hands before handling cleanroom clothing.
- Put on the hair and beard covers and make sure all hair is tucked inside.
- Change or cover your shoes as required before stepping into the cleaner side of the gowning area.
- Put on the coverall or frock without letting it touch the floor.
- Put on the hood and mask, making sure the head, neck, nose, and mouth are properly covered.
- Put on cleanroom boots if they are required.
- Put on gloves last and sanitize them if required.
- Check your clothing before entering to make sure everything is properly fastened, and your hair, skin, or regular clothing is not showing where it should be covered.
If any clean garment touches a dirty surface while you are dressing, follow the cleanroom procedure for cleaning or replacing it before entering.
Conclusion
The right cleanroom attire depends on the work being done and how much of the body needs to be covered. It can range from simple hair covers, frocks, and shoe covers to a full bunny suit with a hood, mask, gloves, and boots.
Whatever clothing is required, it should be clean, fit properly, and be put on carefully before entering the cleanroom. Following the correct gowning procedure helps the garments do their job throughout the work.
If you have questions about cleanroom attire or need help planning a cleanroom for your facility, Sunnyda Clean Room can help. We manufacture cleanroom systems for a wide range of industries and can help you find a solution that fits your production requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cleanroom attire?
Cleanroom attire is clothing designed to cover the body, hair, hands, and footwear to reduce the amount of hair, skin particles, clothing fibers, dirt, and microorganisms carried or released into a cleanroom.
What is another name for a cleanroom suit?
A full-body cleanroom suit is commonly called a cleanroom coverall or bunny suit. It is a one-piece garment with long sleeves and full-length legs. Hoods, gloves, masks, and cleanroom footwear are usually separate pieces worn with the suit when required.
Can you wear regular clothes under a cleanroom suit?
Some cleanrooms allow clean everyday clothing underneath a coverall, while others require dedicated scrubs or cleanroom undergarments. Bulky or lint-producing clothing, such as fleece or fuzzy sweaters, may not be suitable.
Why are gloves worn in a cleanroom?
Cleanroom gloves keep bare hands from directly touching products, tools, equipment, and work surfaces. They also reduce the transfer of skin particles, oils, dirt, and microorganisms from the hands.
Can you wear regular shoes in a cleanroom?
Some cleanrooms allow regular shoes when they are completely covered with cleanroom shoe covers. Others require dedicated cleanroom shoes or boots that are kept inside the clean area. The correct footwear depends on the cleanroom’s gowning procedure.
Does every cleanroom require a bunny suit?
No. Some cleanrooms use simpler clothing such as frocks, hair covers, gloves, and shoe covers, while others require full coveralls with hoods, masks, gloves, and boots. The clothing used depends on the work and the cleanliness requirements of the facility.
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