Choosing the Right Shoe Covers to Wear in Your Controlled Environment

There are many different shoe covers on the market. It can be confusing choosing the right one. The cleanliness level and environment (wet or dry) of your cleanroom will make some materials more suitable than others. Other considerations include whether or not the cleanroom is using sticky mats, chemical baths, dedicated shoes, or a combination.

Standard shoe cover materials include:

1. Non-woven spunbond polypropylene (PP) fabric,
2. Polyethylene (PE) plastic,
3. Cast polyethylene (CPE),
4. Tyvek®,
5. Tyvek® Alternative, and
6. Microporous Coated

Covers come in different thicknesses, combinations, traction patterns, and re-usable versus disposable to name a few variations.

With so many options, how do you choose the best shoe cover for your facility?

Factors to Consider when Choosing Shoe Covers

Basic criteria ranked in their order of importance should help. Think about:

1. Traction/slip resistance: What is the primary characteristic of the flooring the shoe covers will be worn on? Is it smooth and slippery, rough and abrasive, or somewhere in between?
2. Durability: How long will they be worn?
3. Waterproofing: Do they need to be waterproof? If so, does this apply to the entire shoe cover or only the bottom?
4. Combinations of the above.

Rank the answers to those questions then compare the characteristics of the various shoe covers on offer to see how they match up to your needs.

If the most important consideration is slip resistance, for example, focus on shoe covers with great traction. If waterproofing is required, plastic shoe covers may be in order, but be aware that plastic without traction can be very slippery.

If you need individually packaged shoe covers for cleanroom use, boot covers that rise to the knee, or any variation needed in your critical environment, please ask us and we will help you get the product that’s best for your needs.

Correct Procedure for Putting on Shoe Covers

It is best to provide sturdy gowning benches so that workers can sit and put on shoe covers. They should be able to fit shoe covers over their shoes safely without leaning up against a wall or balancing on one foot then the other.

Shortcut methods often result in workplace injuries. Note that automatic shoe cover dispensers help make getting shoe covers on a bit easier and faster without sacrificing safety.

At Blue Thunder Technologies, we are big fans of understanding our customers’ needs, communicating clearly, and making sure that you know exactly what you are purchasing for your cleanroom.

The information supplied in this article is for guidance only. Not all cleanrooms will use the same procedures. Follow your specific cleanroom or company procedural manual before this guide.