How do you choose the right cleanroom wipe?

The main factors to consider when comparing cleanroom wipes for suitability are:

physical properties and characteristics

edge treatment

size

ESD wipes
ISO classification of cleanroom

Physical properties & characteristics

The wipes substrate is key to determine factors such as cleanliness, durability, water/solvent absorbency, heat resistance, chemical resistance, particle count and cost.

Pre-wetted wipes – pre-wetted wipes are an excellent solution for disinfection of surfaces within a cleanroom. One of the main advantages of using pre-wetted wipes is the convenience of not having to manually mix IPA / water solvents. Each wipe contains the exact amount of IPA and DI water saving technicians time on mixing, spraying, or applying the correct amount of liquid to get the job done effectively. These wipes can also be supplied with WFI water. Technicians simply open the bag and pull out a pre-wetted wipe that is ready to be used. Pre-wetted wipes are also available sterilized for high grade cleanroom environments. For applications where the exact amount of IPA is critical, then a pre-wetted wipe should be used instead of manually wetting a dry wipe.

Polyester wipes – dry knitted or woven wipes are manufactured with a continuous filament, are low in particulates making polyester wipes the cleanest substrate. Polyester wipes are high in durability and strength; this substrate resists abrasion under rigorous use. Our low lint continuous polyester cleanroom wipes are commonly used for wiping sensitive surfaces, research work areas, or finished products and widely used in Class 10 (ISO 4) and Class 100 (ISO 5) cleanrooms. Can be Gamma Irradiated for sterility.

Non-woven wipes – a cellulose and synthetic blended hybrid provide additional absorbency for spill clean-up and removal of thick liquids. Non-woven wipes are commonly used where liquid retention is important. These are one of the most popular cleanroom wipes for general wipe down and spill control in cleanrooms classified at ISO Class 5-6 and above. As well as being one of the most economical wipes, non-woven wipes are low-linting, strong, have chemical resistance properties and low levels of NVR (non-volatile residue).

Edge treatment

Wipe fabric is produced on large rolls and needs to be cut to size. The very action of cutting the fabric can produce unwanted particles so the edge treatments give multiple levels of cleanliness. Choosing the correct finish is critical as this will determine the right application. Wipes that are made from the same fabric, for example “Polyester” but have different edge treatments, can have multiple levels of cleanliness. The most common edge treatments are knife cut and laser cut.

Laser Cut – these wipes are cut using a laser which also seals the edges using heat. The laser seal edge treatment is cleaner than the cold knife cut as the fiber ends are melted, leaving no residues behind. These wipes are ideal to clean sensitive surfaces, biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, and wipe off finished products, equipment and parts. These ultrasonically Sealed Edge wipes are suitable for ISO 3-4 (Class 1-10) and higher.

Knife Cut – the edge of these wipes is cut with a steel blade, which can leave some fibers on the wipe. These wipes are an excellent option to clean surfaces such as table tops, instrumentation, cleaning benches, or research work areas. However, these are not recommended to have direct contact with the final product as there is a risk of release particles which could contaminate the product. These wipes are suitable for ISO 5-6 (Class 100 -1,000) and higher.