Wiping

Wiping is the act of cleaning or removing dirt, moisture, or other substances from a surface by rubbing, sweeping, or applying a liquid. The term also extends to erasing information or traces in order to restore a clean state or prevent recovery. Wiping can be physical, chemical, or a combination of both, depending on the surface and material involved.

In everyday use, wiping refers to cleaning surfaces such as counters, desks, and equipment, often with cloths, sponges, or disposable wipes and cleaning agents. Wipes—impregnated towelettes—are commonly used for convenience and sanitation. In personal hygiene, wiping typically refers to cleaning the body after using the toilet, usually with toilet paper or wipes, with care taken to maintain cleanliness and skin health.

In data security and information technology, wiping denotes erasing or destroying data on storage devices to prevent future access. Common methods include overwriting data with random patterns, cryptographic erasure (destroying the key that protects the data), degaussing for magnetic media, and physical destruction. Standards and practices vary; modern drives may require device- or software-specific secure erase procedures. It is important to recognize that some residual information may remain due to wear leveling, firmware, or unerasable areas, so specialized methods are chosen based on the device and threat model.

Other contexts include film and video, where a wipe is a transition between scenes created by a moving boundary, and manufacturing or optics, where wiping refers to removing residues from surfaces or components. Wiping, in any form, aims to return a surface or medium to a cleaner, clearer state.