It is critically important to use the correct wipes when cleaning your cleanroom. If you are not using the correct cleanroom wipes (also commonly referred to as “wipers”) you are not cleaning your cleanroom properly. When you do not clean your cleanroom properly, you run several risks that can affect your business, products, and customers. In addition, using a wiper that is too clean for your needs can be a costly mistake.
A Closer Look at Wipers
Wipers are used to clean everything in the facility, from operators’ gloves to production equipment. They collect both wet and dry contaminants and hang on to them for disposal.
Wipers are often paired with a cleanroom cleaning solution to ensure maximum cleanliness. This can be done by wetting the wipe with the solution, wetting the surface with the solution, or using pre-saturated wipers.
Here is a guide for which wipers should be used in each cleanroom classification:
- ISO 3-ISO 4: Sealed Edge Polyester Knits
- ISO 5-ISO 6: Synthetic Knits
- ISO 6-ISO 7: Poly-Cellulose Blends
- ISO 7-ISO 8: Cotton, Foam, or Composites
Attributes to consider when selecting wipers include materials, edge, size, inherent contamination, and absorbency.
Materials
Wiper fabrics are made from synthetics, natural materials, or a combination of the two. It is important to choose the correct materials for your wipers in order to ensure your cleanroom is compliant with regulations.
- Polyester
These can be single- or double-knit and double- or multi-layered. They can also be tubular or hemmed. They’re the best when it comes to cleanliness and are decent at absorbing solvents and resisting chemicals. They aren’t very durable, however, and don’t absorb water or resist heat very well. - Nylon
These are constructed similarly to polyester but are much more durable and resistant to heat. - Poly-Cellulose
As the name suggests, these wipers are made from a non-woven blend of polyester and cellulose. This makes them very absorbent and durable, but not very heat resistant. - Cotton
Cotton wipers are the best for high temperatures. They’re very durable and absorbent as well. - Foam
These wipers are made from open-cell polyurethane foam. They resist solvents and don’t withstand high heat very well, but they’re very absorbent and can carry a lot of liquid. - Composites
These come with an internal cellulose layer bonded to two polypropylene outer layers. They’re very clean and highly absorbent.
Edge
Wiper edges can affect the level of contamination caused or spread by a wipe. The wiper’s perimeter can be a huge source of contamination if it is not properly finished.
- Pressure Heat-Sealed
This is the cleanest possible edge. It’s a flat edge on a synthetic wipe that eliminates stray threads. - Ultrasonic-Sealed
This is a soft, thin edge with low carbon levels. - Laser-Sealed
This edge is formed cheaply and precisely and is sealed by the heat of the laser. - Wire-Cut
This is a low-cost but less “neat” edge, cut and sealed by a hot wire. - Cold Knife-Cut
This method has a high risk of contamination because the fabric is simply cut by a steel blade and the edge is not sealed.
Size
Most wipers are four square inches, nine square inches, or 12 square inches, but different manufacturers offer different or custom sizes.
Inherent Contamination
Wiper materials bring contaminants into the cleanroom including particles, fibers, ions, and non-viable residue. These contaminants can affect the general cleanroom environment and electrical properties of materials, lead to corrosion of metalized layers, and be detrimental to cleanroom manufacturing.
Absorbency
Absorbency plays a major role in getting surfaces clean with a wiper. For example, polyester wipers just spread wet contaminates around instead of absorbing them as a cotton wiper would.
Don’t Make the Choice Alone
If your cleanroom wipes don’t have the proper absorbency or aren’t made from the appropriate materials, you risk stirring up dust particles and leaving contaminates behind. You need to ensure that your wipers are specifically designed to meet the needs of your controlled environment.
Don’t be overwhelmed by the nuances of the different wipers you can use for Cleanroom Cleaning. There are professionals out there who are ready, willing, and able to help keep your cleanroom in compliance. Get your instant quote today!
