Apparatus for and method of cleaning objects to be processed

A cleaning method of cleaning an object to be processed using a cleaning apparatus including

• a cleaning bath for storing cleaning liquid in which said object is immersed, said cleaning bath having an upper portion located in an upper part of said cleaning bath, the upper portion defining an upper opening;
• a drying chamber for drying the object, said drying chamber being enclosed by a case arranged above said cleaning bath, said case having a lower portion located in a lower part of the drying chamber, the lower portion defining a lower opening, said lower opening being in position to and being connected with said upper opening of said cleaning bath between said case of said drying chamber and said cleaning bath;
• and
• a transporter extendable from the outside of the cleaning apparatus through said lower opening and said upper opening for transporting said object, said cleaning method comprising the steps of:
• (a) transporting said object from said drying chamber into said cleaning bath through said lower opening by retaining said object by said transporter;
• (b) storing cleaning liquid in said cleaning bath before or after transporting said object from said drying chamber into said cleaning bath and subsequently immersing to clean said object in said cleaning liquid stored in said cleaning bath, said immersing step having a step of cleaning said object in deionized water, the temperature of which is lower than room temperature, at least at the last part of the immersing step;
• (c) transporting said object cleaned by deionized water, the temperature of which is lower than room temperature, from said cleaning bath into said drying chamber;
• and
• (d) drying said object by an atmosphere of organic solvent in said drying chamber.