Hey guys, I am looking for a source for *good* red rags. I bought some good rags from Costco awhile back, but they don’t sell them anymore. I bought some rags from Harbor Freight, but they ****. They are as absorbent as a sieve and rough as a stucco bathtub. They literally look like a screen door painted red. I am looking for rags that are tough, absorbent, and that don’t just let things flow through them. Thoughts on a brand to try?
Best shop rags
- Thread starter jkesselr
- Start date
brianpgriset
Well-known member
Used surgical huck rags.
https://www.bluehuck.com/product.sc...EACA.p3plqscsfapp001?productId=7&categoryId=1
https://www.bluehuck.com/product.sc...EACA.p3plqscsfapp001?productId=7&categoryId=1
SAA44-40
Well-known member
Brian-
Those rags look interesting. I was just wondering if there was an upgrade to my beaten down red shop rags just today. Does the 25# option last awhile?
Those rags look interesting. I was just wondering if there was an upgrade to my beaten down red shop rags just today. Does the 25# option last awhile?
kythri
Well-known member
Huck rags are nice because they're lint-free, so they're great on glass cleaning and what not.
Seems almost wrong to use them as grease rags.
Seems almost wrong to use them as grease rags.
Indexmill
Well-known member
I use kitchen towels that are no longer suitable for the kitchen.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Old cheapo here cuts up old sweatshirts, tee shirts, dish and bath towels. When wash cloths go on sale in the twelve packs; I grab a few extra to replace what have mysteriously disappeared into the shop. Old bed sheets work good for lint free rags. I also keep a roll of paper towels close by. I do not miss the commercial shop rags that were supplied in the dealerships. It is the Lifestyle of the rich and famous; when rags get dirty, the get tossed.
tdkkart
Well-known member
I switched to the blue "paper" towels long ago and never looked back. When I need more I write Blue shop towels on the grocery list and they magically appear by the back door. No more storing dirty rags, no more washing rags.
derosa
Well-known member
I used to have a pile of these, when my mom worked at the VA there were times they could be brought home rather than thrown out like if they were used for cleaning up spills and such. I grew up cleaning the house with these things and used them for years in my college apartments. Ultimately they all went away as they would be used for greasy things and have to be thrown out rather than ruin my washing machine with grease. I'd guess 3-4 per lb but they did come in different sizes and 2 different weights. If you clean them they'll last a long time.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
At one shop I frequently work at; there is a blue dispenser that holds a large roll of blue paper towels. The roll is stood on end, and the inner layer of the roll is fed thru the bottom of the dispenser. They are absolutely the best paper shop towels I have ever used.. Sorry that I don't recall the brand name, but the rolls are available at the local parts store.
x2. Never going back. Bought a 10 pack at Costco last year for not much money. Still have 3 rolls left. No way I'd put a shop rag in our home washer/dryer.
Agreed. They are very cheap at the warehouse stores.
nynexit
Well-known member
Every few months I treat myself to a new bag of socks (10 pack on Amazon ). The old socks go in a 5 gallon bucket for shop use.
I wouldn’t donate socks, so this my way of getting rid of them !
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I wouldn’t donate socks, so this my way of getting rid of them !
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
nelstomlinson
Well-known member
Go to your local second hand store, and ask them for a bag of rags. They get plenty of unsalable clothes, and they'd probably be happy to sell you a big bag for $5 or so. They'll just have to toss them in the dumpster otherwise.
jeepinerdeep
Well-known member
If you are not being serviced by industrial laundry, there is zero advantage to using traditional red rags. Questionable durability, lint, retention of sharp chips, color bleed etc.
I use the higher end disposable Wypall X80. I spend $40-60 a year on them.
I keep cheaper blue paper towels for very light duty use.
I use the higher end disposable Wypall X80. I spend $40-60 a year on them.
I keep cheaper blue paper towels for very light duty use.
X3 on the Blue Paper Towels....No more spending 2 hours at the laundramat and feeling guilty about the lady washing her bed sheets and underwear in the washer and dryer I just used.
Snakebyt
Well-known member
i always use the ones that follow me home from work, ill always forget one in a pocket or belt loop or something
sberry
Banned
Paper towels by the case, I don't want that stuff sitting around.
^^^What he said.
However I'd also get a box of Wypall X90's. Use the surgical towels most of the time but for big messes that will consume several towels then use Wypalls. The X90's are almost like real cloth vs paper!!
I agree that generic red shop rags are ****.
SAA44-40
Well-known member
All great solutions. Another thought- anyone have a paper towel dispenser mounted on their wall? I find the cardboard boxes containing the towels a bit cumbersome
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I got a set of Georgia shop towels from eBay. I highly recommend them. 
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-IN...081477&hash=item1ea346cb34:g:M3EAAOSwstxVft0U
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-IN...081477&hash=item1ea346cb34:g:M3EAAOSwstxVft0U
Shootinok
Well-known member
I do...
I use big rolls of blue rags. I get them from a commercial supplier but they are also available online.
These rags are tough and really absorb well.
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sberry
Banned
I like simple rolled paper, mostly Pom from Sams. Use the same thing everywhere. Holders are simple. Another thing is Styrofoam 12 oz cups and a box of lids once in a while. I hate farting with washing cups. Sometimes use them a couple times but dont need to keep track or clean them.
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Flucio
Active member
I got a set of Georgia shop towels from eBay. I highly recommend them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-IN...081477&hash=item1ea346cb34:g:M3EAAOSwstxVft0U
Just ordered some.. thanks
xin
Well-known member
I got a set of Georgia shop towels from eBay. I highly recommend them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-IN...081477&hash=item1ea346cb34:g:M3EAAOSwstxVft0U
I will check these out - been using the blue huck towels (but seem very thin).
Do the ones you been buyin hold up well in grease/oil environments?
Wamsutta
Well-known member
xin
Well-known member
kythri
Well-known member
Google is your friend:
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/kimberlyclark-rags-in-a-box
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/kimberlyclark-rags-in-a-box
EOC_Jason
Well-known member
I've bought boxes of clean towels/rags at estate sales for like a dollar or two... For that price I just toss them when they get too nasty.
I also would cut up old t-shirts & socks when they are too worn to wear anymore.
I don't go through *that* much paper towel usage in the garage but if I did I would get those blue Scott Shop Towels.
I also would cut up old t-shirts & socks when they are too worn to wear anymore.
I don't go through *that* much paper towel usage in the garage but if I did I would get those blue Scott Shop Towels.
ttpete
Well-known member
We used to buy 100# bales of new 100% cotton T-shirt offcuts from an industrial wiper company. Cotton is the best for good absorption whereas synthetic fabrics won't absorb liquids at all.
I have a standard kitchen paper towel dispenser mounted on the garage wall. Blue shop towel rolls fit perfectly, and are always in reach.
I use the Blue Surgicals for about everything and take them to the Laundramat to wash em, Been using the surgicals for years, I used to pick up a couple bags of them when I would attend a swap meet, now I have a bag of 100 that I haven't even opened. I do use the blue scott towels and the Box o scott towels for particularly dirty or greasy things.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Mostly blue paper towels and Tub-o-Towels for me, but I also have had good luck with the 36-ct package of the thin white terry-cloth towels from Home Depot. You'll find them with the cleaning supplies, they are really cheap and hold up surprisingly well. When they get really dirty I soak them overnight in a bucket with a little dawn, swish them around a few times, and then toss them in the washer. (The really greasy ones get tossed). I've been able to use some of them for a couple of years.
bochnak
Well-known member
I got a set of Georgia shop towels from eBay. I highly recommend them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-NEW-IN...081477&hash=item1ea346cb34:g:M3EAAOSwstxVft0U
I buy these as well in white. They do lint a bit. I give them a shake before using. Throw them out when done. I use about 200/yr.
I need to get some blue paper shop towels when no lint is a requirement.