Category Overview
Cleanroom Wipers
Polyester, Nonwoven, Microfiber, Pre-Wetted IPA & Sterile Options
ISO-Class Environments Low-Linting Dry / Pre-Wetted / Sterile
Cleanroom wipers are contamination-control tools designed to remove particles, residues, ions, and bioburden from surfaces, tools, and equipment in controlled environments. Performance depends on matching the substrate, edge construction, and format to your SOP, surface type, and room classification.
Best suited for: ISO 5–8 cleanrooms in pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, sterile compounding, medical device assembly, semiconductor and microelectronics, aerospace, optics, and laboratory environments.
Common cleanroom wiper applications:
- Routine wipe-downs of benches, carts, pass-throughs, and work surfaces
- Solvent wiping with IPA, ethanol, DI water, or validated disinfectants
- Cleaning tools, fixtures, and equipment between process steps
- Aseptic preparation and sterile transfer workflows
- Precision cleaning of glass, stainless steel, polymers, optics, and PCBs
Critical ISO areas
→ Sealed-edge knit polyester wipers
Fast wet-out & general cleaning
→ Cellulose/polyester nonwoven wipers
Consistency across shifts
→ Pre-wetted IPA cleanroom wipers
Selection Guide
How to choose the right cleanroom wiper
Wiper selection should be based on contamination risk, surface sensitivity, chemistry used, and room classification. The guidance below helps align wiper construction with real-world cleanroom practices. For background concepts, see our cleanroom basics and selection guidance.
Why wiper selection affects cleanroom performance
Wipers influence both what is removed from a surface and what may be left behind. Cut-edge wipers can release more fibers than sealed-edge designs. Highly absorbent nonwovens may wet out quickly but can behave differently than knit polyester under solvent load. Pre-wetted formats help reduce variability by delivering a controlled amount of solvent.
- Low-linting performance: must be matched to surface sensitivity and wiping technique
- Extractables (ions/NVR): matter in yield-sensitive and regulated processes
- Edge construction: sealed edges reduce loose fibers and improve consistency
- Format: dry vs. pre-wetted vs. sterile impacts repeatability
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using cut-edge wipes in high-ISO areas requiring fiber control
- Over-wetting surfaces and spreading contamination or residue
- Mixing cleanroom and general-purpose wipes in the same workflow
- Ignoring extractables for sensitive assemblies and processes
Quick match: align the wiper to the task
| Task | Recommended direction | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| ISO-class critical wipe-downs | Sealed-edge knit polyester | Low-linting, durable, controlled residue profile |
| General facility cleaning | Cellulose/poly nonwoven | Good absorbency and fast wet-out |
| Repeatable solvent wiping | Pre-wetted IPA wipers | Consistent solvent delivery reduces variability |
| Aseptic / sterile workflows | Sterile wipers | Supports controlled transfer and documentation |
Best-practice wiping technique (SOP fundamentals)
- Fold for control: use a consistent fold so each pass uses a clean face
- One-direction strokes: wipe from clean-to-less-clean with overlapping passes
- Control wetness: avoid under- or over-wetting; pre-wetted formats help
- Edge discipline: prevent edges from dragging across critical surfaces
- Change early: replace wipers before they become contamination sources
For the fastest recommendation, be ready to share: ISO class, surface type, chemistry used, and whether sterility or sealed edges are required.
Need help selecting?
Talk to a cleanroom specialist
Email Sales@SOSsupply.com or call (214) 340-8574 for assistance matching the right wiper to your process.