How to evaluate the quality of ESD wipes for critical environments? 

When you work in electronics, semiconductors, or cleanroom manufacturing, even microscopic contamination or a stray static charge can ruin a product batch. That is why the humble ESD wipe is such an important tool. These wipes are used daily to clean surfaces, equipment, and tools without leaving lint, static, or residues behind. But not all wipes are equal. Here is how Indian manufacturers can evaluate wipe quality and make sure they are fit for critical environments. 

Why ESD wipes matter:

An ESD wipe combines two performance needs: 

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) control: The fabric dissipates charges safely instead of creating sparks. 
• Cleanroom compatibility: The wipe does not shed fibers, particles, or ionic residues that could contaminate sensitive areas. 

Paired with ESD garments, antistatic garments, and accessories like esd gloves, esd shoes, esd apron, and esd cap, wipes support a controlled environment where product yield and worker safety both improve.

Step 1: Check fabric and construction 

1. Substrate material:

• Polyester knit or woven microfiber is common for critical electronics because it produces very low lint. 
• Polyester-cellulose blends offer higher absorbency but may shed more. 

2. Conductive fibers: 

• Look for carbon or metallic fibers woven into the fabric. These create the path for charge dissipation. 
• Check the spacing of these fibers. Too wide and the wipe lose ESD control. 

3. Edges and seams: 

1. Sealed edges (laser-cut or ultrasonic-sealed) prevent fraying and particle release. 

2. If wipes are knife-cut, they may shed more particles and shorten the lifetime of your control system. 

Step 2: review cleanroom test data 

Trusted suppliers provide test reports. Important test areas include: 

• Surface resistance: Typically measured to IEC 61340-5-1 or ANSI/ESD S20.20. Wipes should fall within the dissipative range (10⁶–10⁹ ohms/sq). 
• Particle count: ISO 14644 cleanroom testing shows how many particles are released during use. 
• Extractables and ions: Look for data on sodium, chloride, and sulphates. High extractables can corrode components. 
• Absorbency: High absorbency ensures effective cleaning with solvents without over-wetting. 

These test parameters also apply to esd safety shoes, esd shoe cover, and esd coat, which must perform within defined ESD control limits for safe operations.

Step 3: check compatibility with cleaning agents 

Many Indian electronics companies use isopropyl alcohol (IPA), DI water, or blended solvents. A quality ESD wipe should resist breakdown when used with these liquids. Polyester-based wipes usually perform well, while cellulose blends may weaken with strong solvents. In environments using esd safe coating or esd cleanroom shoes, ensure the wipe’s material does not react with or degrade the protective surface.

Step 4: consider packaging and handling 

Double-bagging allows wipes to be transferred into cleanrooms without recontamination. 

• Lot traceability is essential in export-driven electronics and pharma. Look for wipes that come with batch numbers and certificates of conformity. 
• Sterile options are available for pharma or high-grade cleanrooms. 

Step 5: align with Indian and international standards 

For the Indian electronics and cleanroom market: 

• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has adopted many IEC and ISO standards for ESD protection, making them directly relevant. 
• IEC 61340-5-1: Protection of electronic devices from electrostatic phenomena. 
• ISO 14644 series: Cleanroom classification and particle control. 
• ANSI/ESD S20.20: Widely recognized for ESD program development, important for export compliance. 

For facilities already using ESD garments, antistatic garments, and antistatic esd clothing, wipes should be validated as part of the same control program.

Step 6: run in-house validation 

Even the best datasheet cannot replace local testing. Before adopting a new wipe: 

1. Test surface resistance with your facility’s ESD meters. 
2. Observe linting on glass plates or black test surfaces. 
3. Check absorption speed with the solvents you actually use. 
4. Monitor the impact on yields and audit results. 

Why managed textile services make sense 

Just like garments, wipe quality depends on consistent supply and handling. With Lindström’s rental service, you do not need to worry about procurement cycles, storage, or hidden stock-outs. We ensure your ESD wipes, cleanroom gowning, and antistatic garments arrive clean, compliant, and on time, so your team can stay focused on production. 

Key takeaways: 

• A reliable ESD wipe is low-lint, solvent-compatible, and dissipates static within controlled resistance ranges. 
• Always ask for test data on surface resistance, particle generation, and extractables. 
• Match wipe material and edge construction for your cleanroom class and solvent use. 
• Validate new wipes in-house before rolling out. 
• Integrate wipe quality with your ESD and garment program for full protection. 

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