Cleanroom swabs aren’t your average cotton swabs. They have to perform their task without leaving the slightest trace of adhesive or lint on lab surfaces. The entire swab is usually subjected to a process known as sonic sealing to ensure that even the most vigorous of swabbing actions does not dislodge any particles that could potentially contaminate the contact surface.In addition, the swab head has to be to be ultra-washed by the manufacturer to ensure that it is perfectly smooth. This not only reduces the likelihood of particle generation, but also eliminates any pointy edges that could potentially scratch the contact surface. Even after all these precautions, it’s still not easy to keep the swab free of contaminants. Swabs are usually vacuum sealed and kept in a sterile liquid until they are needed. They are used to take samples from an irregular surface.

Once the sample has been captured using a cleanroom swab, it is then transferred to a contact plate. Just like a cleanroom swab, contact plates have undergone a special manufacturing process to ensure that their surfaces are completely flat and smooth and are made from specially sealed material, usually glass. 

Keeping a biotech laboratory absolutely clean during experiments is no mean feat. These two amazing laboratory tools, however, make the job a whole lot easier – now you know how they work!