Key Points
- Industrial wet wipe technology has advanced to meet the specific needs of manufacturing, engineering and production applications.
- Heavy duty features mean you can get more done with fewer wipes, contributing to improved production outcomes and lower procurement costs.
- Outcomes can be further enhanced with a well planned integration and training strategy that includes correct wipe selection, cleaning technique and storage procedures.
Manufacturing sectors face daily challenges to maintain production speed, quality, and safety.
One of these challenges is ensuring that machinery, surfaces, and tools are clean and free from contamination that could cause downtime due to equipment failure, risk product quality and the safety of workers and consumers.
Industrial wet wipes can help solve these challenges by providing a heavy-duty but precise cleaning solution that contributes to a more efficient production process with fewer delays, reruns and safety risks.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how industrial pre-saturated wiping products can help you to improve your cleaning processes, comply with safety regulations and achieve your production goals.
How Are Industrial Wet Wipes Different?
Industrial wet wipes are a type of heavy-duty industrial wipe that comes pre-saturated with powerful degreasing and disinfectant agents.
Wiping technology has advanced to meet the specific needs of manufacturing, engineering and production applications with specialised formulations and absorbent sheet sizes now widely available.
These industrial strength features mean you can get more done with fewer wipes, reducing cleaning time, waste and contributing to improved production outcomes with lower procurement costs.
5 Key Benefits for Manufacturing and Production Sectors
Industrial wet wipes can deliver numerous tangible benefits for manufacturing and production sectors, but five of the main advantages are:
1. Increased Productivity
Shorten cleaning time and increase personal productivity by giving workers an industrial strength product that cleans, degreases and disinfects faster, speeding up their processes.
Compared to traditional methods, there’s no need for preparing cleaning chemicals or gathering separate equipment and no risk of splashes or spills.
2. Lower Procurement Costs
More durable heavy-duty products maximise coverage with fewer wipes and re-cleans required, doing more with less, reducing waste and procurement costs.
3. Reduced Delays and Downtime
Effective, residue-free cleaning of crucial surfaces is vital in minimizing production delays and the need for re-runs. The convenience of wiping, along with their ability to reach awkward spaces, promotes regular cleaning of essential equipment and machine parts, ultimately enhancing their reliability and reducing downtime.
4. Improved Quality
Commercial grade wet wipes are made to remove contaminants that can impact product quality, contributing to consistent and reliable manufacturing processes.
By preventing defects and rework caused by poor preparation, wipers help ensure the production of high-quality products.
5. Improved Safety and Hygiene
Maintain hygiene standards, reduce the risk of contamination from bacteria or other pathogens and support compliance with safety regulations.
Wipes also improve workplace safety by reducing exposure to spray generated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can also be a fire risk.
Manufacturing Industries and Applications that Can Benefit Most
Industrial cleaning wipes are versatile enough to be effective for most applications, but some sectors with demanding cleanliness and hygiene standards may get faster results.
Aerospace & Engineering: The aerospace and engineering sectors require high precision and accuracy, and lint free wipes with powerful cleaning agents are ideal for keeping critical surfaces perfectly clean.
Automotive: Heavy duty degreasing wipes are useful in the automotive industry for workshops, garages and detailers for cleaning equipment, tools, and surfaces to maintain optimal performance.
Chemicals: Plastics and fibre glass manufacturing benefit from industrial grade wiping to ensure tooling and moulds are free from residues which could affect the quality of the final product.
Electronics: The electronics industry requires a clean environment to prevent damage to delicate components which are water sensitive. For these applications, a combination of high strength Isopropyl Alcohol which has minimal water content and rapid evaporation with a low lint material that doesn’t shed particles is most effective.
Food and Beverage: Food industry businesses that process, prepare or serve meals, have to comply with strict hygiene standards, making food safe disinfectant wipes a crucial tool in maintaining safety and compliance.
Packaging and Labelling: IPA wipes offer a quick and convenient way to prepare products or packaging before applying adhesive labels to ensure a reliable bond.
Pharmaceuticals: The pharmaceutical industry requires sterile clean rooms and laboratory environments, making industrial pre-saturated wipers an essential product to disinfect and prevent contamination of critical surfaces.
Printing: Lint free wipes, which are snag and tear-resistant, are ideal for cleaning inks from print heads and oils or grease from machinery.
Welding and Fabrication: High strength Isopropyl Alcohol welding wipes are commonly used to prepare surfaces before welding or fabrication to ensure proper adhesion and bonding of joints.
Due to the high levels of alcohol these wipers are pre-saturated with, usually 90%, they have a fast evaporation rate that won’t leave any residue behind and are very effective at removing debris, oils, and other contaminants.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Cleaning Wet Wipe for Your Working Environment
The versatility and reliable performance of wipes makes them an essential component of any well-equipped workspace. The only real variable is knowing what to look for to match the right product to your specific application and environment.
After more than 30 years working with businesses small and large to get the most value from their cleaning budgets, I would recommend thinking about the following factors:
Surface Compatibility
Different surfaces can require specific types of wipes to ensure proper cleaning without causing damage.
Some are designed for delicate surfaces or general purpose cleaning, while others are durable enough for heavy-duty degreasing or disinfection.
Assess the surfaces and substances in your working environment and choose a product that is compatible with the materials you regularly encounter.
Cleaning Strength
The cleaning strength of a wipe is crucial, as it determines its ability to effectively disinfect a surface or remove dirt, grime and other contaminants.
For tougher tasks, such as grease or oil removal, opt for extra large wipes with higher absorbency and stronger cleaning formulations. Solutions such as 70%-90% Isopropyl Alcohol or solvents like Acetone are often the most effective.
Conversely, for more delicate tasks, choose a product designed for the specific task or pre-moistened with gentler cleaning properties formulated to avoid surface damage.
Antimicrobial Properties
In certain manufacturing and production settings, controlling the spread of bacteria or viruses is just as important as removing stubborn dirt, oil and grease.
Selecting wet wipes with antimicrobial properties can help minimize the risk of contamination and ensure a safe and hygienic working environment.
Look for products that are specifically labelled as having antibacterial or disinfectant actions.
Saturation Level
The wetness level of a wipe can affect its potential antimicrobial performance and drying time.
Too much moisture can leave behind residue and delay post cleaning tasks, while insufficient saturation may result in inadequate contact time for achieving any disinfecting claims.
Look for brands with a consistent and controlled saturation level that suits the cleaning requirements of your working environment.
Size and Packaging
The size of the wipe and its packaging play a significant role in usability and convenience.
Choose a product with a sheet size large enough to cover a sufficient cleaning area, reducing the number of wipes required per task.
Additionally, consider the packaging to ensure it provides easy access, protects against evaporation and allows for convenient storage.
Compliance with Regulations
Depending on your industry, there may be specific regulations and local policies for cleaning products.
Ensure that the product you choose, complies with any relevant testing regulations, colour coding requirements or industry-specific certifications.
How to Get the Most Value Out of Industrial Wet Wipes
Like any cleaning product, industrial wet wipes can only offer maximum value if they are used effectively.
That doesn’t just come down to reading the instructions, but taking the time to plan the most effective way to integrate wipe cleaning into your existing production processes.
I have helped many manufacturing businesses who were reliant on solvent solution cleaning to adopt more efficient wiping based processes and reap the rewards of higher productivity with lower costs.
Here’s my tips on achieving the same for your business.
- Firstly, it’s important to choose the right type of wiper for the workplace environment, surface and contaminant to be cleaned. Different industries can require different types of wiping formulations, including those suitable for food contact areas, electronics, or laboratory use. Starting with the wrong product is the easiest mistake to make but wastes time, money and risks cross-contamination in hygiene critical settings.
- Once you’ve got the right wipe in your hand, your staff should know how to get the most out of every sheet with an efficient wiping technique. Each sheet should be folded twice and used with an overlapping parallel motion from the cleanest area towards the dirtiest. This ensures maximum coverage while minimising the spread of contaminants.
- Wet wipes won’t stay wet for long if containers aren’t resealed in between uses. The solutions they are saturated with can easily evaporate if exposed to the air for too long, rendering them useless and wasting money. Therefore, workers must reseal containers carefully when not in use.
- Correct storage is vital to preserve the products cleaning ability which should be stored in a cool and dry area, away from any direct sunlight or heat sources.
- Employees should be trained on proper wipe usage including selection, wiping technique, storage, disposal and safety. Even basic training will improve their efficacy, reducing the total number of wipes used.
Common Questions
Q: What are industrial wet wipes made from?
A: Wipe fabric is made from different types of non-woven materials, such as polypropylene or polyester. The choice of material depends on the specific use case or requirements of the industry. Overall, non-woven materials offer significant advantages over traditional woven fabrics, including higher absorbency, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Q: Are industrial wet wipes the same as alcohol wipes?
A: Industrial wet wipes are not the same as alcohol wipes designed for sanitising skin or delicate surfaces. While some brands do contain high levels of Isopropyl Alcohol, they are formulated to break down and remove stubborn substances such as oil, grease and tar, so are not suitable for wiping skin or other sensitive materials.
Q: Can industrial wet wipes be used for disinfecting surfaces?
A: Due to the high strength cleaning solutions that most industrial wiping products contain, they are often labelled as having disinfectant properties. Whether they would be compatible with the surface you need to disinfect depends on the type of chemical formulation the wipes are saturated with. For that reason, you should always read the instructions and product data sheet carefully to confirm they are safe for use on the materials you want to clean.
Q. Do industrial wet wipes get rid of bacteria?
A: As mentioned above, many commercial wet wiping products will contain cleaning agents that have disinfectant properties, so will kill bacteria and some viruses. The exact antibacterial abilities will depend on the type of formulation which should be clearly labelled on the packaging.
Q: Are industrial strength wet wipes safe to use on different types of surfaces?
A: Yes, most industrial grade wipes are safe to use on a variety of surfaces, including stainless steel, aluminium, and plastic. However, some specialized versions may be designed for use on specific materials, such as painted surfaces, so it’s important to choose the right type of wipe for the job.
Q: Do they have any special storage requirements?
A: Like any pre-saturated wipe, commercial versions are liable to dry out if left unsealed or in warm environments exposed to the sun. Products formulated with high strength chemicals or solvents may have additional storage requirements to maintain their efficacy.
Free Industrial Cleaning Advice Specific to Your Manufacturing Business
Hopefully this article has demonstrated the tangible benefits of industrial wipe cleaning available to UK manufacturing and production businesses.
If you have any questions not answered here or would value free advice on integrating more efficient and cost-effective processes into your specific environment, please contact us on 0114 269 7107 or by email at info@markenchemicals.co.uk.
