Depending on the type of shop, it could mean having rags on hand to clean up grease, grime, and other fluids you work with every day. ERC Wiping Products has many different types of rags and towels that can clean tools, cars, hands, and anything else you might need to wipe. Buying rags and towels in bulk can help make sure you have them in stock when you need them. Here are a few ways to choose the best cloths:

Determine Your Needs

If you're washing cars, you'll need different towels than a mechanic who works with oil and grease all day. If you're a car wash or auto detailer, you'll want to make sure you can clean them without leaving lint or scratches. Terry or microfiber towels offer a range of benefits, including absorbency and the ability to not scratch surfaces.

Choose the Right Materials

Our rags come in many different materials such as t-shirt, terry, and flannel, and can be used for maintenance and all types of cleaning, such as in the automotive industry, janitorial cleaning, manufacturing, and more. They come in bulk boxes, so you won't run out quickly. We also have microfiber towels that can be used dry to dust or wet to scrub and clean.

Know the Weight and Size Needed

Different jobs in your shop require specific rag thicknesses and sizes. Thicker/bulkier rags like sweatshirts and French terry can absorb more liquids and are better for polishing. Thinner/lighter rags like t-shirt or flannel are better for wiping oil and grease and are less expensive than thicker rags. Our shop towels are great for wiping grime, grease, and ink. Terry toweling rags are very absorbent and available in a smaller washcloth size or a large piece size, which is ideal for drying larger surface areas. 

Choose Washable or Disposable Cloths

Certain cleaning situations may be so grimy and messy that disposable shop towels might be preferable over cotton rags, so they don't have to be washed. ERC Wiping Products has a wide variety of disposable shop rags that work well for both heavy-duty and light-duty tasks. Their soft, cloth-like feel makes them a great alternative to traditional cotton shop rags. However, you don't need to pick just one kind over another. You can mix and match both disposable and washable rags to best perform a variety of jobs in your shop.

Look at Durability

Depending upon your application, different rags and towels will undergo a lot of wear and tear as they're used to clean spills, wash cars, and perform other tasks. You want to find towels that can hold up after multiple uses and won't fade or wear in the wash. Materials like 100% cotton and microfiber can last many wash cycles when washed properly. Also, our disposable wipers hold up well to most commonly used cleaning solvents, have good strength, and are abrasion resistant, so they won't fall apart even when wet and are super absorbent.

Choose Different Colors

If you perform different jobs in your shop, picking different color rags and towels will help your employees know which towel to use for each area. For example, red for grease, yellow for windows, white for applying solvents, and so on. Our towels and rags are available in a wide variety of colors which makes them great for color-coded cleaning programs.

Finding the Right Shop Towels

When shopping for towels or rags, check to make sure you look at the materials and weight. Also, be sure to look at the size and absorbency to determine whether it will work for the specific job. Buying in bulk means that you have enough for your shop's needs. Contact ERC Wiping Products, and we will help you choose the best cleaning rags for your application.