The TX 1009 AlphaWipe Cleanroom Wiper by Texwipe is a cleanroom dry wipe, and in our last blog we talked about why we love it. But lest our adoring attitude provokes the devil’s advocate in you, we thought we’d address some of the potential misconceptions and objections you might think of. Praising a product can do that to people, we know. Hey, it even happens to us! We find ourselves thinking, “Well, that’s probably not true,” or “It can’t be as good as it sounds.” So in order to preempt all the possible objections someone might think of, we’ve put together this list of misconceptions and we’re happy to debunk them.

Myth: The TX1009 is probably not very versatile. I bet you can only use it for one thing.

False. The TX1009 Cleanroom Wiper is useful for a variety of applications, including the following.

• General wiping - for when that tiny flake of dandruff escapes your cleanroom gown and you need to be sure your surface is pristine.
• Spill control - for when that beautifully-colored chemical concoction makes a thin film in the shape of a dolphin on the floor.
• Cleaning and polishing stainless steel - because even when you’re wearing gloves and not leaving fingerprints, stainless steel just seems to be a glutton for getting smudged.
• Protective covering for parts and product - Think of a mini patchwork quilt tablecloth made of TX1009 Alpha Wipes. Too bad they don’t come in multicolor packs!

Myth: I bet you can’t use this product in an ISO 4 cleanroom.

False. This dry wipe is certified for ISO class 4-9. So even when you’re keeping such high standards in your cleanroom that you have a maximum of only 10,000 >=0.1 μm particles per square meter, you can use the TX1009 wipe. Amazing, right?

Myth: Something like that has got to be super expensive.

False. Our bag of 150 wipes costs $35.60, which means that each wipe costs about 23 cents. And that’s the most expensive version, because if you get the refill pack (TX1009B), they go down to less than 19 cents per wipe, and then if you buy them by the case (which you’ll want to do once you’ve tried one pack), you save 5%, making each wipe only 17.9 cents each.

“But I have to use multiple wipes per day,” you protest? We’re guessing that a lot of other things in your life that you use multiples of cost a lot more than that. Do you use multiple gallons of gasoline a day? Thought so.

Myth: These Texwipes are only 8x8 inches. That’s really small.

False. The ITW Texwipe TX1009 Cleanroom Wipers are actually 9 x 9 inches, or 23 x 23 cm. Have you ever thought to measure the maximum distance your hand can stretch from thumb to pinkie? Guess what? Texwipe thought of that, too. Most people have a maximum span of about 9 inches when their hand is stretched completely out, but even for those guys with huge hands out there, you’re probably not going to have your hand extended to the max in order to wipe down a countertop. This size allows a great balance between the maximum coverage and the least waste in your wiping applications.

Myth: “You can’t scrub hard with them or they will shed.”

False. Did you read the myth above about using these in an ISO 4 cleanroom? Nothing that is going to shed would be allowed into that kind of environment. The TX1009 wiper has a unique construction made of 100% continuous-filament polyester in a double-knit, no-run interlock pattern. For all of you non-knitters out there, this means that not only are the actual fibers themselves manufactured to be lint-free, it also means that the fabric is made in such a way that it won’t ever get a run like that brand-new pair of stockings that just got snagged (whereas normal knitting always has this potential). So scrub away fearlessly at those hardened stains. The TX1009 resists abrasion with rigorous use or rough surfaces. Just another reason to love it.

Myth: The Texwipe TX1009 has a cult following.

Undetermined. If the TX1009 doesn’t have a cult following yet, we’re guessing that it soon might have just that, due to its versatility, usability, and affordability. Cleanroom staff everywhere bowing at the altar of the TX1009 Wipe? Nah, that’s not a scary thought at all.

We hope you’ve been entertained by this somewhat tongue-in-cheek look at debunking myths about the TX1009 Cleanroom Wiper. However, we don’t recommend that you entertain yourself with a towel-snapping competition in the cleanroom with your coworkers--not because you can’t snap these in the air with impunity, but simply because that much horseplay would probably go against your cleanroom policy. But for your sedate and orderly everyday use, you need a case (or at least a pack) of these. Order yours today!

Other Wipers Worth Checking Out:

• Texwipe TX622 VersaWipe 12" x 12" Cellulose and Polyester Cleanroom Wiper: This fabric blend combines the highly absorbent properties of a natural fiber with the cleanliness and strength of a synthetic wiper.