A mote knife for use with a cleaning system including a rotating cylinder which creates a binary air flow while which entrains a fiber web formed of fibers of various fiber lengths about a circular path. A waste removal duct is arranged adjacent the periphery of the cylinder. A mote knife, which includes a contact surface positioned adjacent the periphery of the cylinder, a front edge located a first distance from the periphery of the cylinder, an intermediate edge located a second distance from the periphery of the cylinder and a rear edge located and a third distance from the periphery of the cylinder. A first channel is formed between the periphery and the front and intermediate edges which converges toward the intermediate edge. A second channel is formed between the periphery and the intermediate and rear edges which diverges toward the rear edge. Rotation of the cylinder creates a venturi effect at the intermediate edge which brings the flow of binary air to its greatest velocity. The air flow leading to the intermediate edge draws loose longer fibers back into the web. The velocity of air flow beyond the intermediate edge drops rapidly allowing dust, trash, and short fibers to lift away from the cylinder due to centrifugal force.