Lint free wipes are critical in the proper cleaning of controlled environments like a clean room. With all of the precautions and standard operating procedure ( SOP) creation, the last thing you want to overlook is fibers and particles coming off of your cleaning wipes. There are many different grades of lint free wipes, ranging from wipes that give off a small amount of particles to ultra-clean laundered polyester wipes that are lint-less under a microscope. Depending on the ISO class level of your cleanroom environment, you want to make sure you are using a compatible lint free wipe material. Below we will go over the most popular choices of lint free wipes used in different ISO class cleanrooms and controlled environment applications.
ISO6+ Lint Free Wipes
When working in a Class 1000+ ( ISO6-8) cleanroom, the most popular lint free wipes used are non-woven polyester cellullose blend wipers. This non-shedding material offers the absorbency of cellulose and the durability and strength of polyester in one wipe. The texture of nonwoven lint free wipes is that of a smooth, tear-proof paper towel, minus all the lint that you would find on a normal paper towel. Polycellulose wipes come in a variety of sizes ranging from 4″x4″ to 18″x18″. These wipes are the most cost effective lint free wipes on the market and used for just about every cleaning procedure. They are compatible with IPA and other cleanroom disinfectants and cleaners and also available presaturated with sterile or non-sterile isopropyl alcohol. If you are looking for a Class 1000 compatible wipe with extra absorption power, check out the two layer Clean-Quilt wipes or the thick Clean-Foam wipes from Criti-Clean, our USA-based lint-free wipe manufacturer.
ISO5+ Lint Free Wipes
Working in an ISO5 or Class 100 clean room requires a cleaner wipe than polycellulose or any non-woven wipe. Laundered polyester lint free wipes are the main wiping product used due to the fact they have been laundered in a clean room to remove all loose particles prior to being packaged. The texture of a polyester wipe is that of a handkerchief. While not as absorbent as non-woven wipes, polyester wipes will not release any loose particles even when used on abrasive surfaces. When using polyester wipes you have the option of a standard machine cut edge which is good for a Class 100 ISO5 room. Another option is to receive laser cut sealed edge polyester wipes for the utmost precaution. Laser cut sealed edges eliminate 100% of any particles that would come off of the wipes edge under heavy use.
ISO 3-4 Lint Free Wipes
The most strict level of cleanliness in cleanrooms is a Class 1 – 10 facility ( ISO3-4). When working in this type of critical environment there are detailed procedures and protocols that must be followed by every worker in the cleanroom. Regarding wiping products for use in this strict of a facility, laser cut, triple-washed polyester wipes are the way to go. These wipes come in stock sizes ranging from 4″x4″ to 18″x18″ with the option of custom sizes based on your needs. Laser cut polyester wipes are also available prewetted with 70% isopropyl alcohol and other common cleanroom disinfectants.