A Scientist’s Guide to Lab Equipment Maintenance: Cleaning, Calibration, Repair & Replacement

In today’s high-stakes scientific environment, well-maintained laboratory equipment is essential—not only for productivity, but for ensuring data integrity, safety, and regulatory compliance. At Scientific Calibration, we understand the time constraints researchers face, which is why we’ve created this practical guide to help you prioritize preventive maintenance without disrupting your workflow.

From routine cleaning and calibration to repairs and replacements, these best practices can extend the life of your lab equipment, safeguard your experiments, and protect your budget.

???? The Foundation: Daily and Routine Cleaning

While often overlooked, general cleaning is one of the simplest and most effective ways to maintain lab equipment performance and prevent contamination. A clean laboratory improves accuracy, supports safe working conditions, and minimizes prep time for experiments.

Daily or Weekly Cleaning Practices:

• Wipe down benchtops and sweep floors

• Sanitize high-touch equipment surfaces

• Clean glassware using a lab washer-disinfector with hot air drying

• Use lab-grade cleaning products per manufacturer guidelines

• Refill handwashing and sanitation stations

• Follow specific SOPs for sensitive instruments (e.g., hematology analyzers)

Seasonal or Annual Deep Cleaning Tasks:

• Defrost and sanitize freezers and refrigerators

• Decontaminate biosafety cabinets, incubators, and centrifuges

• Disassemble and inspect key equipment components for wear, lubrication, or rebuild

???? Calibration: Consistency Through Accuracy

Calibration is not just a regulatory requirement—it’s critical for producing accurate, reproducible results. Instruments such as balances, pipettes, spectrophotometers, and temperature controllers all require periodic calibration to maintain performance.

Two Key Calibration Methods:

1. Preventive Maintenance Calibration
   Performed annually, this ensures equipment is operating safely and within tolerance. Issues found can be corrected before problems arise.

2. Advanced Accuracy Verification
   This method involves testing instruments across multiple points using certified standards, ideal for high-precision or high-value instruments.

Best Practices:

• Conduct a full equipment inventory and assess calibration needs

• Establish calibration schedules based on equipment criticality

• Work with ISO 17025-accredited providers like Scientific Calibration for traceable, audit-ready service

➡ Ready to schedule calibration? Submit a Calibration Service Request for a fast, no-obligation quote.

???? Repair & Refurbishment: Maximize Equipment Lifespan

Even with proper maintenance, equipment will eventually need repair. Malfunctioning instruments not only disrupt workflow—they can compromise data and pose safety risks.

Scientific Calibration offers expert repair services for:

• Centrifuges

• Incubators

• Freezers

• Water baths

• Microplate readers

• Pipettes

• Balances
  ...and more

Our technicians are trained across major brands including Thermo Fisher, Eppendorf, Sartorius, VWR, and Agilent. We maintain an extensive parts inventory to expedite turnaround and minimize downtime.

➡ Need a repair? Request Service Now and get back to work faster.

???? Equipment Replacement: Know When It’s Time

Some equipment cannot be salvaged due to age, wear, or discontinued parts. When repair is no longer feasible, replacement becomes essential—not just for function, but for compliance and safety.

We offer a full range of:

• New equipment from trusted manufacturers

• Recertified instruments that are gently used, fully tested, and carry a 2-year limited warranty

All recertified units are:

• Professionally decontaminated

• Factory tested

• Covered under our quality assurance guarantee

✅ Why Choose Scientific Calibration?

With more than 20 years of experience, Scientific Calibration is an A2LA-accredited service provider dedicated to excellence in lab equipment calibration, repair, and sales. We proudly offer:

• ISO 17025–accredited calibration services

• Fast, reliable repairs

• A wide inventory of new and recertified instruments

• 100% satisfaction guarantee

Whether you need preventive maintenance or are looking to upgrade your lab, we’re here to support your scientific success.

???? Let’s Get Started

For personalized guidance, reach out to us at:

???? scical@scical.com
???? 919-301-1212
???? www.scical.com

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