An autoclave only protects patients when it is cleaned, tested and logged on a predictable schedule. This autoclave maintenance checklist lays out the daily, 7-day and monthly checks that keep a dental sterilizer dependable between manufacturer service visits. Assign each task to a named staff member, record every cycle, and post the page near the sterilizer.
Quick facts: In Ontario, the RCDSO requires a biological indicator for each sterilizer on every day that it is used — daily monitoring, not weekly. The weekly baseline is the CDC / AAMI ST79 standard in most US states. Bowie-Dick tests are a standard daily check on pre-vacuum sterilizers. A failed test stops the next cycle until the cause is found.
Biological indicators (24-hour, 25-pack)
post-procedure repair mask
Why maintenance is part of sterilization
Steam sterilization depends on the machine as much as on the instruments. A worn door gasket, a clogged chamber drain or a vacuum pump losing pressure quietly weakens every load that passes through. That is why manufacturer manuals, CSA standards and dental regulators expect scheduled care rather than repairs after a failure.
Daily checks (before the first load)
The morning routine takes about ten minutes, before anything enters the chamber:
- Wipe the door gasket and inspect it for cracks, chips or debris.
- Clear the chamber drain strainer if anything has collected there.
- Confirm temperature and pressure readings once the unit is warm.
- Run a Bowie-Dick test on a pre-vacuum sterilizer before the first load.
- Log the load: contents, cycle type, operator and finish time.
Bowie-Dick packs test the vacuum phase, so a pass means the chamber can remove air before steam enters. Running one daily on a pre-vacuum unit follows manufacturer and CSA guidance, because air leaks rarely show up any other way. CliniEco carries Bowie-Dick test packs (ISO 11140-5 Type 2) sized for that first-cycle check.
Daily checks and the biological indicator
In Ontario, the RCDSO requires a biological indicator for each sterilizer on every day that it is used — daily monitoring, not weekly. The weekly baseline is the CDC / AAMI ST79 standard in most US states. A biological indicator is the only test that proves spores were killed, so it catches failures chemical indicators miss. Self-contained vials give the answer within 24 hours, so each day's test can be confirmed before the next day's cycles. Confirm what your province and regulator expect, then put it on the calendar.
A biological indicator is the only test that proves spores were killed, so it catches failures chemical indicators miss. Self-contained vials give the answer within 24 hours. CliniEco offers a 24-hour self-contained biological indicator in 25-packs that suit steady daily use.
During the same visit, wipe down the chamber interior, check water quality and the reservoir, and inspect filters and screens. If instruments are pre-cleaned in an ultrasonic unit, check that the solution is fresh.
Monthly checks and technician service
Once a month, block out time for the deeper work:
- Deep clean the chamber and the door sealing surfaces.
- Inspect door hinges, gaskets and locking hardware.
- Review the sterilization log for failed cycles or developing patterns.
- Check stock of pouches, tape and chemical indicators, including Class 5 steam chemical integrators for internal pack monitoring.
- Book the manufacturer-recommended service visit when it comes due.
Logging: the record that saves you
A written log turns the routine into evidence. For every load, record the date, contents, cycle parameters and the operator, and keep biological indicator and Bowie-Dick results with the same pages. That record answers regulator questions and patient concerns alike. Logs also reveal patterns early: three slow warm-ups in a row means a service call.
Checklist table: task, frequency, who
| Task | Frequency | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe and inspect door gasket | Daily | Assistant |
| Check chamber drain strainer | Daily | Assistant |
| Bowie-Dick test (pre-vacuum) | Daily | Operator |
| Biological indicator test | Daily | Lead or manager |
| Clean chamber interior and check water | Every 7 days | Assistant |
| Deep clean and hinge inspection | Monthly | Lead |
| Review sterilization logs | Monthly | Manager |
| Technician service | Per manufacturer | Qualified technician |
Signs it is time to call a technician
Some faults need hands-on help. Book service when you see any of these:
- Repeated Bowie-Dick failures on a correctly run test.
- A positive biological indicator or a failed chemical indicator.
- Error codes, longer cycles, unusual noise, or steam escaping the door.
- A gasket that no longer seals properly.
After any failed test, pull and quarantine the load, then call your service provider before running another cycle. Treat the first warning as a stop signal.
Free Printable: Autoclave Maintenance Log
Print this page (Ctrl+P, or ⌘P on a Mac) or save it as a PDF. Post it where the work happens.
Assign each line to a named staff member; post near the sterilizer.| Task | Frequency | Assigned to | Date / initials | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task | Frequency | Assigned to | Date / initials | |
| Daily checks before the first load | Daily | |||
| Biological indicator (Ontario: each sterilizer, every day it is used) | Daily | |||
| Bowie-Dick test (pre-vacuum sterilizers) | Daily | |||
| Weekly checks | Weekly (7-day) | |||
| Monthly checks and technician service | Monthly | |||
| Log the result of every cycle | Every cycle |
FAQ
How often should an autoclave be cleaned?
Light daily care covers the gasket and drain strainer, the chamber interior is wiped every 7 days, and a full deep clean happens monthly. Your unit's manual sets the exact schedule.
When is the biological indicator test done?
In Ontario, the RCDSO requires a biological indicator for each sterilizer on every day that it is used — daily monitoring, not weekly. The weekly baseline is the CDC / AAMI ST79 standard in most US states.; confirm what applies where you practise.
What does a Bowie-Dick test catch?
It detects air leaks and incomplete vacuum removal in pre-vacuum sterilizers, conditions that keep steam from reaching instruments. Daily use follows manufacturer and CSA guidance for these units.
Who can service an autoclave in Canada?
A qualified technician trained on your specific model, following the manufacturer's service schedule. Keep every service report with your sterilization logs.
What logs do dental regulators expect?
Cycle parameters and contents for every load, biological indicator results, Bowie-Dick results for pre-vacuum units, plus maintenance and service records.
Related reading: explore our dental compliance hub for sterilization and infection control.
Related: Sterilization supply plan — BI, integrators, pouches and tape from $69/month.
check RCDSO sterilization monitoring requirements in our compliance pillar guide.
Monitoring your sterilizer? Pick the BI format that matches your workflow.
Ontario dental offices must run a biological indicator every day the sterilizer is used (RCDSO). Choose the readout speed that fits your schedule:
- 24-hour self-contained BIs — 25, 50 and 100-count packs for daily monitoring
- 1-, 3- and 20-minute rapid-readout BIs — same-day release when you cannot wait overnight
- 4-well fluorescence reader — incubates and reads rapid-readout BIs in one bench instrument
Shop 24-hour biological indicators See the 4-well rapid reader
CliniEco Medical · Health Canada MDEL #35334 · Request a wholesale quote
Running the daily, weekly and monthly checks on paper? The printable sterilization log sheet lays out the load, service and malfunction fields an inspection asks for, so the record is written as you work.
Want the columns filled for your cycle type instead of a blank form? The sterilization log generator prints a maintenance-and-load record sized to your reprocessing documentation.
Not sure your maintenance log records everything your province expects? Ask a sterilization compliance specialist and you will get a written answer specific to your sterilizer and province.
Maintenance checks only count once they are written down. The free, sector-specific self-check covers the records and checks an inspector is most likely to look for; it takes about two minutes, prints out, and needs no sign-up.
Related reading
- Pre-Autoclave Inspection Checklist: Catch Problems Early
- RCDSO vs CDSBC Infection Control: Dental Office Differences
Where to Buy Sterilization Indicators and Spore Tests in Canada
CliniEco Medical supplies chemical indicators, integrating indicators and self-contained biological indicators to clinics, laboratories and care homes across Canada, shipped from Ontario.
| Type | What it confirms | Order |
|---|---|---|
| Class 5 integrating indicator | All critical parameters were met — used inside every pack | Class 5 Integrators, 100-Pack |
| Biological indicator (spore test) | The actual kill — the only test that proves sterilization | 24-Hour, 25-Pack |
| Bowie-Dick test pack | Air removal in pre-vacuum sterilizers only | Bowie-Dick, 6-Pack |
| Indicator tape | External process indicator — the load was processed | Autoclave Tape, 3-Roll Set |
| Not sure which applies? | Run one week in your own workflow first | BI 5-Pack Trial (ships free) |
Round Out Your Sterilization Setup
A biological indicator is one link in the chain — these are the pieces it works with:
- Sterilization pouches — Class 4 dual-indicator, 200-pack — the packaging the indicator rides inside
- Sterilization roll — 50 m pre-cut sheets for larger instruments
- Constant-heat pouch sealer — 200 °C, 12 mm seal — for consistent pouch closures
Ontario and GTA orders ship free over $99; elsewhere in Canada over $199 ($15 flat below). Bulk and standing orders go through a wholesale account. Print a blank sterilization log sheet from our free generator, or book a sterilization compliance review.
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