Cleanroom Wipes: Polyester or Cellulose - Which One?
Cleanroom wipes remove particles without releasing new ones. This guide explains fibre release, absorbency, sealed edges and how to choose between polyester and cellulose for each cleanroom class under ISO 14644-1.
View cleanroom wipesWhat makes a wipe cleanroom-grade?
A cleanroom-grade wipe must absorb particles and liquids without shedding fibres, lint or extractables of its own. The key criteria are low fibre release (particle shedding), high absorbency and sealed edges. ISO 14644‑1 defines the permitted particle count via the cleanroom class, and the wipe must not degrade that balance.
Ordinary household wipes are out: rubbing them releases millions of particles and loose fibres. Cleanroom wipes, by contrast, are laundered in a low-particle process, packaged cleanly and often supplied pre-wetted or with bonded edges.
- Low particle and fibre release, both dry and wet.
- High absorbency and water uptake per gram of wipe.
- Sealed edges (laser or ultrasonic) instead of cut borders.
- Low extractable ions and residues for sensitive processes.
- Low-particle double packaging for airlock transfer.
Polyester or cellulose - which material fits?
The material choice depends on cleanroom class and task. Pure polyester (knit) sheds almost no fibres and suits the critical classes ISO 4‑5. Cellulose-polyester blends absorb more and are more economical for ISO 6‑8, but release more particles.
Why do sealed edges matter so much?
The cut border is a wipe's biggest particle source. With mechanically cut edges, loose fibres detach as soon as the wipe glides over a surface. Sealed edges bind these fibres and clearly reduce particle release.
Absorbency determines how efficiently liquids and cleaning agents are taken up. Good cleanroom wipes bind three to five times their own weight in water. Pre-wetted wipes with IPA (isopropanol 70/30) also remove the error-prone step of hand-wetting inside the cleanroom.
Frequently asked questions
Which wipe for ISO class 5?
For ISO 4‑5 use 100 percent knitted polyester with laser-sealed edges. These wipes have the lowest fibre release. Cellulose content is unsuitable here.
Why not ordinary paper wipes in a cleanroom?
Household and paper wipes release large amounts of fibres and particles when rubbed and degrade the particle balance under ISO 14644‑1. Cleanroom wipes are laundered low-particle and supplied with sealed edges.
What do sealed or bonded edges mean?
The border is fused by laser or ultrasound instead of being cut. No fibres detach from the cut edge, which strongly reduces particle release and enables higher cleanroom classes.
Buy dry or pre-wetted?
Pre-wetted wipes (usually IPA 70/30) offer a constant moisture level and fewer handling errors. Dry wipes are more flexible when you want to dose the cleaning agent yourself.
Looking for the right cleanroom wipes?
We supply polyester and cellulose wipes with laser-sealed edges - matched to your cleanroom class per ISO 14644-1.
Class-matched
Selection to suit ISO 14644-1 from class 4 to 8.
Sealed edges
Laser and ultrasonic edges for minimal fibre release.
High absorbency
Up to five times their own weight in liquid.
Expert advice
Cleanroom specialists help with the selection.