What You Need to Know About Cleaning Wire Cloth Mesh

When it comes to using wire mesh cloth, one of the most important things is knowing how to keep it clean. Indeed, no matter how high-quality your mesh wire may be, improper cleaning can destroy it in an instant. With that in mind, here is an overview of everything you need to know about wire mesh cleaning.

How to Clean Wire Mesh 101

Although stainless steel is strong, it is not indestructible. One of the reasons it is so durable is that It is protected by a thin layer of chromium oxide. However, contamination reduces the effectiveness of the chromium oxide overall. Additionally, certain conditions, such as extreme heat levels, humidity, and/or corrosive chemical exposure tend to cause the surface to become discolored and can even lead to the actual breakdown of wires over time. Therefore, those who are using mesh wire in these types of conditions should clean and inspect them more frequently.

There are several benefits of learning how to clean your metal mesh properly, as well as cleaning it regularly. They are as follows:

• As a means of preventing clogging/ reduction of production line throughput
• To uncover damages or wear and tear
• In some cases, mild soap and water are enough
• As a way to preserve corrosion resistance
• Prevention of bacterial growth
• As a means of removing accumulated dirt, grime, and surface stains
• To maintain a generally pleasing aesthetic
• Examine your wire mesh or mesh sieve against a blacklight or white background to uncover perimeter separations and damaged openings

Down to the Wire: Cleaning Stainless Steel Mesh

In most instances, the best methods of removing the wire mesh, wire cloth, or test sieve are to clean the mesh wire most effectively. This is why having dual filter lines is beneficial as it allows the product flow to be redirected to a second line while cleaning the first line. Cleaning mesh wire horizontally is vital and you should also be sure to clean it with nylon or brass wire bristles. Generally speaking, and based on the application, stainless steel wire cloth, and mesh should be cleaned using the following mesh cleaning solutions:

• Briefly submerge the wire mesh in a bath filled with mild detergent and warm water.
• Next, you will rinse it with clean water.
• Be sure to gently scrub it with soft nylon brushes, while it is submerged in the detergent bath helps, this helps to remove more stubborn contaminants.
• Be sure to use commercial cleaners that contain phosphates. Synthetic detergents and alkalis may also be used for heavily contaminated mesh, based on the information included in the manufacturer’s instructions and safety data sheet.
• If the wire mesh requires more extensive cleaning, use citric, nitric, and phosphoric acids.
• Once you have used cleaning methods and chemicals, the wire cloth should be rinsed thoroughly with clean water, wiped, blotted, or gently blown dry.

Hazardous to Wire Health: What Not to Use

It is equally important to clean your high quality wire mesh properly, as it is to never do things that can ruin it. Here are some of the top methods and materials that should never be used while caring for and maintaining stainless steel wire mesh:

• Using hydrochloric or sulfuric acid-based cleaning agents, and bleaches cause staining and pitting.
• Use diluted hypochlorite bleaches only; contact time minimized. Be sure to follow it up by rinsing it with clean water.
• Concentrated bleaches should never be used on contact screen surfaces.
• Steer clear of carbon steel brushes or steel wool as these leave rust-causing particles behind.

Key Takeaways:

• Stainless steel wire cloth and mesh are widely used materials that must be cleaned and maintained like any other piece of critical equipment.
• To promote safety, quality, and sanitation, be sure to clean your wire mesh regularly.
• There is a wide array of safe and effective methods for metal wire cleaning; there are methods you must avoid to prevent aesthetic or structural damage.

Need New Wire Cloth?

Shop with Newark Wire Cloth, which is a recognized leader in the wire cloth manufacturing industry. This is a well-respected company that has specialized in the fabrication of wire cloth parts and assemblies for the past 105 years. Contact us today to find out how to wire cloth can help improve the quality and efficiency of your next filtration project or application. No matter where you purchased your wire cloth, be sure to take heed to the tips mentioned here to avoid damage and other issues.