An ATP swab tells you whether a surface is clean with a number, not an opinion. The CleanTrust ATP Surface Swab detects ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is present in organic residue and living cells, and gives a reading on a compatible luminometer in seconds.
If you are doing commercial cleaning, restoration or mould work, "looks clean" no longer cuts it. These swabs let you verify cleanliness on site and give you hard data to back up your work, whether it is for a client, an insurance job or internal QA. Each box holds 100 swabs.
Check Your Luminometer First
ATP swabs are matched to the meter that reads them. This page previously described the swabs as working with "most luminometers" and "most ATP hygiene monitoring systems". The manufacturer, Anaeron, lists three compatible instruments:
Use with any other meter is not confirmed by the manufacturer. If you run a different luminometer, ask us before ordering.
Why It Matters on the Job
- Win more commercial and insurance work: provide documented proof of cleanliness, not just a visual check.
- Avoid failed audits and call-backs: identify problem areas before the client or assessor does.
- Protect your reputation: especially on mould remediation, healthcare and other high-risk sites.
- Train your technicians: show immediately whether a clean was actually effective.
Key Features
- Fast, on-the-spot results: the luminometer displays a reading in 10–15 seconds, so you know immediately whether a surface passes or fails.
- Simple to use on site: no lab and no waiting. Swab, activate, test.
- All-in-one, pre-moistened swab with a self-contained, liquid-stable reagent.
- Consistent readings that take the guesswork out of cleaning verification.
- Sealed, contamination-controlled packaging.
- Swab body made from recyclable plastic (Anaeron).
Ideal For
- Carpet cleaners doing commercial or end-of-lease work
- Water damage restorers needing post-clean verification
- Mould remediators proving surface conditions after remediation
- Facility and contract cleaners managing QA programs
- Healthcare, aged care, childcare and food environments
How to Use It
- Swab a 10 cm × 10 cm area in a zig-zag pattern, vertically and then horizontally.
- Return the swab to the tube, break the top valve and squeeze the bulb twice to release the reagent.
- Shake for 10 seconds.
- Insert into the luminometer and read within 30 seconds of activation. The result displays in 10–15 seconds.
If it fails, clean again before you hand the job over. The full procedure is in the instructions linked below.
Reading the Result
Results are shown in RLU (relative light units): the higher the number, the more ATP, and so the more organic residue, on the surface. Anaeron's instructions give default limits of under 10 RLU pass, 10–30 RLU warning and over 30 RLU fail. These can be adjusted to suit your organisation's protocol.
ATP testing measures organic residue. It does not identify specific organisms, and it is not a mould or bacteria count. Use it to verify that a clean was effective, alongside your normal inspection and any sampling the job specification requires.
Storage and Shelf Life
Anaeron's instructions give a shelf life of 12 months stored at 2–8 °C, or 4 weeks at 20–25 °C. The SDS calls for storage at 2–8 °C. In practice, keep the box refrigerated and take only what you will use within four weeks out to the van.
Specifications
| Brand | CleanTrust (Anaeron Pty Ltd, Frenchs Forest NSW) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer code | AE0002 |
| CCW code | CTAE0002 |
| Type | ATP surface test swab |
| Pack size | 100 swabs per box |
| Use case | Surface cleanliness verification |
| Principle | Luciferase–luciferin bioluminescence; light output is proportional to ATP |
| Detection limit | 5 × 10⁻¹⁶ mol (instructions); the flyer states "up to 1 × 10⁻¹⁶". Both shown as published. |
| Time to result | 10–15 seconds |
| Compatible meters | CleanTrust Touch YZ3500, Hygiena SystemSURE Plus, Hygiena EnSURE Touch |
| Storage | 2–8 °C (12 months) or 20–25 °C (4 weeks); sealed packaging for contamination control |
| Classification | Not classified as hazardous; not dangerous goods for transport (SDS v1.0, July 2025) |
Why Professionals Choose CleanTrust
There are cheaper swabs available. This is about trust and repeatability. CleanTrust gives you readings you can stand behind, compatibility with established meters (the CleanTrust Touch and the Hygiena SystemSURE Plus and EnSURE Touch) and a professional edge when dealing with clients and assessors. It is a consumable, but it is also a tool that protects your business.
Pro Tip
Use ATP testing before and after cleaning on high-risk jobs. It is the easiest way to show the improvement and justify your invoice.
Common Mistakes This Helps Avoid
- Handing over a job that looks clean but fails hygiene standards
- Missing contamination in high-touch areas
- Disputes with clients over cleanliness
- Failing compliance audits
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these swabs work in my luminometer?
Anaeron lists the CleanTrust Touch YZ3500, Hygiena SystemSURE Plus and Hygiena EnSURE Touch. For any other meter, ask us before ordering.
How long do they last?
Twelve months refrigerated at 2–8 °C, or four weeks at 20–25 °C, according to Anaeron. Check the expiry on the box and rotate stock.
Do ATP swabs need an incubator?
No. ATP swabs are read straight away. The CleanTrust Small Dry Bath incubator is used with protein swabs: CleanTrust's allergen swab instructions call for 15 minutes at 37 °C for the colour change.
Can I use these to test water?
No. For water samples use the CleanTrust ATP Water Total Swab, which has a dipper designed for liquid samples.
Does a pass mean the surface is free of mould or bacteria?
No. A low ATP reading shows little organic residue remains. It does not identify organisms. Where a job specification calls for microbial sampling or clearance testing, ATP does not replace it.
Documents
- CleanTrust™ ATP Surface Swab Flyer
- CleanTrust™ ATP Surface Swab Instructions
- CleanTrust™ ATP Surface Swab SDS
Related Products
- CleanTrust Touch YZ3500 Luminometer
- CleanTrust ATP Water Total Swab, Box of 100
- CleanTrust Surface Protein Swab, Box of 100
- CleanTrust Protein Allergen Swab, Box of 100
- CleanTrust
Not sure which swab or meter suits your QA process? Tell us which luminometer you run and what you need to verify, and we will help you choose before you order.
