​When talking about cleanroom wipers, the edge is the primary contaminant source. If your environment requires critically low levels of particle and fiber release, then this blog is for you!

​Cleanroom wipers come in a variety of substrates, and each has different levels of contamination based on the edges. For example, a Polyester wiper with a knife cut edge will release fibers during the application. The “knife-cut edge” method consists of using a steel blade to cut the fabric… this method can leave a certain amount of threads in the wiper open and loose and can lead to particulate contamination in your cleanroom.

One of the most common ways to cut corners in a cleanroom is by buying generic consumables for your operators. While this can prove to be a great way to save money, it is not a sure way to prevent contamination. Generic consumables can have hidden contamination and fillers that make the product look clean but releases contamination when used. For some, this can be easily managed but for others it can stop production and temporarily close. To learn more about a mismatch set in a cleanroom watch the video below or give us a call!

Buying new wipers for your cleanroom can be very challenging. You have to consider the budget, the material, the color, the absorbency, and so much more. Thats why we have compiled a list that goes over the 5 basics that you should always consider when buying new wipers. 

1. Cost
The cost of the wiper is dependent on a lot of factors. Your supplier should be able to provide you with the cost of each wiper. If you are looking for the cheapest wiper, you will be sacrificing a few things. But if that does not bother you, then that is ok! It all just depends on priorities. 

2. Capacity
Capacity refers to the amount of liquid that the wipe is able to hold. There are different ways that the wipe  can hold onto liquid. Some are absorbent, meaning that they will soak up the liquid and hold it within. Some are adsorbent, meaning that the liquid will get trapped in between the interlocking pattern of the material. 

3. Cleanliness
​The cleanliness of the wiper is a little harder to navigate. There are materials that are cleaner than others and are very reliable. We always recommend that you test your new products, no matter what they are. 

4. Chemical Compatibility
The chemical compatibility is very important because you want to have a wiper that will be sturdy with the material of your wiper. Some materials and chemicals do not pair well together and that is something that should always be considered. 

5. Construction
The construction of your wiper refers to the weave and cut of your wiper. There is a lot of different options when it comes to these, each offering something more than the next. Pay close attention when picking these out. You want to make sure that you are choosing the right fit for your environment. 

To learn more about these 5 C's of wiper selection, watch the video below! 
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Is your clean room wiper hot? No, we don't mean temperature wise, we mean ESD wise. There are two types of cleanroom wipers: static dissipative and conductive. A conductive wiper will hold onto static, thus making it a hot wiper. A static dissipative wiper does not make or hold onto static, so it cannot be considered hot. Static is something that everyone in the cleanroom industry wants to avoid but is not something most think of when it comes to wipers. 

What makes a wiper hot?
A wiper can get hot from the packaging and material. If your wiper is not vacuum sealed with solution inside, the conditions around the wiper can make it hot. Packaging, humidity, and temperature are all contributors to this. 

What keeps a wiper from getting hot?
Adding solution, like alcohol and ultra pure water, can help to keep the static at bay. Vacuum sealing the wipers can also help because it does not allow the wipers to move around and rub on each other.

To learn more about hot wipers, watch the video below!

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When you are buying new wipers there is a lot to consider. Similar to gloves you have to consider the 5 C's: cost, capacity, cleanliness, chemical compatibility, and construction. On-top of the 5 C's you also have to worry about the edge treatment that you choose to use in your critical environment. There are a lot of different options for you to choose from:

Pressure Heat-Sealed: This is used for synthetic wipers and is accomplished by forming a flat edge on the wiper that eliminates any stray threads from being exposed. This is the cleanest of all edge treatments. 

Ultrasonic-Sealed: This is superior to laser sealed because it delivers a softer edge with a lower carbon level. An ultrasonic sealed edge is thinner than the substrate. 

Laser Sealed: This allows for particulate retention because the laser uses heat to seal the edge of the wiper. This is superior in cost and precision. 

Wire Cut: This uses a hot wire similar to the way a poll bag is heat-sealed. The border is not as clean as a laser cut or heat sealed edge, but it much lower in cost. 

Cold Knife Cut: This uses a steal blade to cut the fabric. This method can leave a lot of fibers on the wiper and can lead to contamination when used. 
 
​To learn more about wiper selection watch the video below or visit our wiper section here. 

To determine the most appropriate Cleanroom Wipers for a specific task, consider the five C’s; Cost, Capacity, Cleanliness, Chemical Compatibility, & Construction. 
Cost:  How much is each individual wiper? Is the wiper the full published size?  Be cautious of wipers that refer to their sizing as nominal. Make your costing comparison on actual wiper size. Compare individual wiper cost per surface area to calculate the total cost per swipe. A ¼ folded cleanroom wiper has 8 unique swipes.
Capacity:  How much liquid can the wiper hold?  Higher sorbent capacity means that the wiper can hold more cleaning chemistry. Substrates such as non-woven poly / cellulose and cotton are inherently absorbent in their fiber structures. Woven knits such as polyester and nylon, the chemistry is trapped in the crevices of the fibers. This is adsorbent.