Category Overview
Cleanroom Wipers by Material
Polyester, Nonwoven, Microfiber & Specialty Substrates for Controlled Environments
Material-Driven Performance ISO-Class Selection Residue & Fiber Control
Cleanroom wiper performance is driven first and foremost by material selection. Fiber structure, absorbency, chemical compatibility, and residue contribution vary significantly by substrate. Organizing wipers by material helps align the product to your ISO class, surface sensitivity, and cleaning chemistry—not just size or brand.
Best suited for: pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, medical device assembly, microelectronics and semiconductor fabrication, aerospace, optics, and controlled laboratory environments where material choice directly affects contamination control outcomes.
Polyester (knit)
→ Low linting, durable, controlled residue
Nonwoven blends
→ Higher absorbency, faster wet-out
Microfiber / specialty
→ Enhanced pickup (process-dependent)
Selection Guide
How material choice affects cleanroom wiping
Selecting a wiper by material helps standardize cleaning outcomes. Each substrate behaves differently in terms of fiber release, absorbency, solvent compatibility, and residue contribution. Use the guide below to match material to task, surface, and environment.
Understanding common cleanroom wiper materials
While many wipers may appear similar, material construction has a significant impact on performance. Below are the most common cleanroom wiper substrates and how they are typically applied.
- Knit polyester: durable, low-linting, and commonly specified for ISO Class 5–8 wipe-downs.
- Cellulose/polyester nonwoven: higher absorbency and faster wet-out for general controlled cleaning.
- Polypropylene: chemical-resistant option for certain solvents and wiping tasks.
- Microfiber or specialty blends: enhanced particle pickup on some smooth surfaces (process-dependent).
Important note
No wiper material is universally “lint-free.” Performance depends on surface type, wiping technique, wetness, and edge construction in addition to the substrate itself.
Quick match: material to application
| Your application | Common material choice | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Critical surface wipe-downs | Knit polyester | Low linting and controlled residue. |
| General controlled cleaning | Cellulose/poly nonwoven | Higher absorbency and fast wet-out. |
| Chemical-resistant wiping | Polypropylene | Good solvent compatibility. |
| Precision particle pickup | Microfiber / specialty blends | Enhanced capture on select surfaces. |
Best-practice considerations when selecting by material
- Match material to surface sensitivity: avoid aggressive fibers on delicate finishes.
- Confirm chemical compatibility: ensure the substrate supports your solvents or disinfectants.
- Consider edge construction: cut vs. sealed edges affect fiber release.
- Align with ISO class: higher classifications demand tighter fiber and residue control.
- Standardize in SOPs: consistent material selection improves repeatability.
For the fastest recommendation, be ready to share: ISO class, surface type, chemistry used, and whether sealed-edge or sterile formats are required.
Need help selecting?
Talk to a cleanroom specialist
Email Sales@SOSsupply.com or call (214) 340-8574 for help selecting the correct wiper material for your application.