A Wipe That’s Entirely Lint-Free?

Polyester/cellulose blend under a microscope

Lint-Free-Wipes

Question: Where can I buy lint-free wipes?

Answer: 100% lint-free wipes do not exist.

This may come as a surprise to many that have been told that certain applications require lint-free wipes. Multiple particle generation tests, under various dry and wet testing conditions revealed that even the cleanest of wipes, marketed as lint-free are not 100% free of particle generation.

Lint-Free vs Virtually Lint-Free

There are a variety of materials that are virtually lint-free. Synthetic materials including polyester and nylon are more dense in nature, and therefore they will not separate from the surface as easily as natural materials such cotton and cellulose (pulp-based).

Additional design features that help ensure minimal particle generation include close-knit/tightly woven construction and heat sealed laser-cut edges. Both attributes will ensure minimal particle release during friction such as the action of wiping.

So how then do you search for the cleanest, lowest linting wipes? The lowest linting wipes available on the market are labeled ISO 3 / Class 1 Cleanroom Compatible. An ISO 3 cleanroom is among the cleanest of environments – where every particle counts.

nonwoven_wipe_under_microscope
Polyester/Cellulose blend under a microscope – Notice there a very few visible loose fibers splitting from the strands. Wipes featuring this composition would be considered virtually lint-free wipes.
paper under microscope
Cellulose under microscope. Compared to the poly-cellulose blend above, this substrate has many loose fibers. Clearly not a lint-free wipe.

Browse our selection of virtually lint-free cleanroom wipes here