A cleaning solution and method for removing submicron particles from the surface and/or the bevel of an electronic substrate such as a hard disk media substrate, or an imprint mold used in the manufacturing of the hard disk media or a read/write head assembly part. The cleaning solution comprises a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. The method comprises the step of contacting a surface of the substrate with a cleaning solution comprised of a polycarboxylate polymer or an ethoxylated polyamine. Additional optional steps in the method include applying acoustic energy to the cleaning solution and/or rinsing the surface with a rinsing solution with or without the application of acoustic energy to the rinsing solution.