Bulk purchases can help by:
We extend special discounts on bulk orders, lowering your per-unit cost beneath our already competitive prices. As every successful business owner knows, small savings turn into big savings as time passes.
Bulk orders translate into fewer orders. This means your staff will spend less time receiving deliveries, stocking products, and breaking down delivery boxes. Again, it may not seem like much at first, but when repeated regularly, you can save a lot of work hours — hours you can invest in your own customers.
Along with saving time processing deliveries as they arrive, bulk orders also allow your employees to spend less time ordering supplies. Sounds like a stretch? Think about it: Each time you place an order, someone needs to assess your existing stock, decide what supplies should be re-ordered, and then place the order.
When your supply of rags runs out less often, you can invest less time assessing and ordering supplies.
Bulk ordering can create fewer delivery trips to your business, which saves fuel and eases road congestion. Again, one bulk order won’t make much of an immediate difference. But getting into the habit of placing bulk orders can make a big impact over time.
All that said, we’re still the first to admit: Buying in bulk isn’t for everybody. Before placing a bulk order, make sure you have:
Space already tight? The stress of a bulk rag order may outweigh its benefits. Before placing your order, find out how much storage space you’ll need. Our operators can answer that question. Create space before the delivery arrives.
You don’t want to stock up on one kind of rag this week only to switch to a different type of rag next week. Bulk orders work best for customers who already know what kind of rag works best for their business.
One of bulk ordering’s biggest positives can turn into a negative. When you buy, for example, a year’s supply of rags, your staff may start to think your rag supply is inexhaustible. Since they haven’t needed to reorder in so long, they may stop monitoring your supply.
Fortunately, if this happens to you, we turn new orders around quickly. We ship out orders the next business day via FedEx Ground, so you could be resupplied in a few days. Still, it’s best to avoid running out of stock by setting up a reliable way to monitor your supplies.
Have you heard about compressed cube shipping? This new approach to shipping removes the air from the shipping cube, creating more space and less weight. Compressed cubes offer another way to cut shipping costs on any size order.
Unopened compressed cubes also take up less space in your storage room. Learn more about this innovative approach to shipping here.
Whether you’re ordering a 25-pound box of recycled rags or 2,000 pounds of Terry cloth, we’ll treat your order the same way: As if it were our own. Our customer support staff works hard every day to satisfy every customer they encounter.
And that’s just one of the ways we beat the big box stores. Contact us today to experience the All Rags difference.
]]>Before we explain, know this: We provide all types of rags — recycled, disposable, and new. We believe in matching customers with the perfect product for their needs. We have no special incentive to sell customers recycled rags, and we’d never tried to guilt anyone into buying recycled rags.
We’re writing about this topic because, as rag specialists, we find it intriguing. It’s interesting that a simple decision, like choosing one rag over another, can impact people around the world — and affect future generations of global citizens.
For example, did you know that when you choose rags made from recycled materials, you:
Buying recycled rags helps reduce landfill use in two ways. First, recycled rags keep disposable rags out of landfills and out of septic systems. Plus, recycled rags keep used T-shirts, pullovers, and towels — the materials we recycle into rags — from clogging up landfills.
Manufacturing new textile products requires energy, and the process creates pollution. Recycled rags lower the demand on the textile industry, reducing pollution. And, since most of our nation’s new textile material comes from Asia and Africa, using recycled rags also reduces the number of containers shipped around the world, further reducing pollution.
Cotton is still the main ingredient in most new textile materials, especially cleaning rags. Cotton needs a lot of land to grow. Using recycled rags lowers the demand for cotton, freeing up land for other crops. On top of that, many cotton producers use pesticides to keep their crops free of infestation. Less demand for cotton translates into less pesticide use.
Because of all of the above, recycled rags usually cost less than cloth made from new material. This means your business could lower its cleaning costs by choosing recycled rags. Then, you could direct this money into staffing, staff development, capital improvements, or anything else your business needs.
Unlike new textiles, recycled textiles can create domestic jobs. The process of reclaiming, cleaning, and re-using existing cloth tends to happen locally. Why? Because the source material — that’s the used towels, bathrobes, and T-shirts that get turned into recycled rags — is already here in the U.S.
Like we said above, we want to match every business with the best cleaning rags for their needs — and not every business should buy recycled rags.
If your business needs rags that always look the same, recycled rags aren’t for you. Recycled rags can vary in color and size, and this variation won’t work for some restaurants, gyms, and salons.
But if you value a cleaning rag’s performance and value over its appearance, you’ll probably like recycled rags. They’re often more absorbent than new rags because the material has already grown soft from so many washings.
Whether you need recycled rags, disposable rags, or rags made from new material, we meet your business’s needs by providing the best products and the best customer service in the market.
Plus, we can extend discounts on many bulk orders, saving even more money.
Also, oil only absorbent pads are captivating to watch. If you know, you know. These pads, made from melt-blown polypropylene, repel water while attracting oil and gas. They soak up hazardous oils from shop or factory floors, leaving the water behind, proving the old adage that oil and water don’t mix.
That’s why oil absorbent pads should be included in spill kits for any shop that uses oil or petroleum-based products. While OSHA does not require these pads by name, stocking oil absorbent pads helps employers follow OSHA’s requirement that all work areas be kept clean and dry.
Our 15x18-inch oil absorbent pads, which come in packages of 100, are the ideal size for most businesses. These high quality pads can even float on standing water, extracting hazardous oils that have leaked into contained water.
Our clients who run shops and factories like to keep these pads in stock. We also provide them to some restaurants who want to be prepared for cooking oil spills that can make such a huge mess.
When business owners buy these pads, we recommend they make sure their employees know where in the shop to find them. We also recommend keeping the pads near work areas that are prone to spills.
This is important because applying these pads immediately after a spill helps contain the problem before it affects more of your process. Time spent searching for this product is time and money wasted.
Customers who need to absorb both water and oil buy our universal absorbent pads. These work like oil only pads but simultaneously absorb water.
Whichever product you need, we recommend making a plan for disposing of used oil absorbent pads — a plan that follows EPA and local environmental and workplace safety laws.
At All Rags, we specialize in cleaning rags and pads. We also specialize in taking care of our customers’ needs. Whether you place an order online or call our customer care staff, we’ll work hard to earn your trust and turn you into a regular customer.
]]>That’s a lot of variables.
That said, we can answer most other questions from new customers — questions like:
Here are our answers to these important questions:
To answer this question, start with the type of clean-ups you face. While microfiber is effective on just about any cleaning job, not every business needs to invest in this top-of-the-line material.
For example, if you’re managing an auto radiator shop and want to sop up antifreeze from the shop floor every day, microfiber would be overkill. Shop towels or recycled terry cloth can save your business money.
Likewise, if you’re running a fitness center and need to wipe down treadmills and stationary bikes, this durable bar mop would be a great investment since it could be washed and reused for so long.
When you call our customer service team, be sure to let them know exactly how you’ll be using your cleaning rags. That way you’ll learn the best options for your unique needs.
This question also depends on your business’s unique needs. In some businesses, like food service or hair care, clients might see your cleaning rags in use. You’ll want rags that reflect the cleanliness and professionalism of your business. In other industries, like hospitality and auto repair, customers may never see your cleaning rags in action.
Perception matters in business, but it’s not the only variable to consider: performance and durability matter a lot, too. When it comes to performance and durability, different businesses have different needs, so their cleaning rags should perform differently.
And some individual businesses need a variety of rags for a variety of cleaning projects. For example, a hotel housekeeper may need microfiber to dust and polish furniture but bar mop cleaning rags for the sinks and showers they clean every day.
Our customer service staff excels at matching your business’s needs with the right cleaning rags. We don’t want our customers to pay for products they don’t need. It’s our goal to be an ongoing partner with your business — not to make a sale and move on to the next call.
You can get the best value from your cleaning rags by buying only the type of rags you need. If recycled T-shirt material will get the job done at a lower price point, you should stock those kinds of rags instead of buying more expensive cleaning rags.
You can also get more value when you buy rags in bulk. We offer discounts on bulk orders — and you’ll save money on shipping and on the time your staff spends receiving orders and stocking your supply closets.
At All Rags, we specialize in cleaning rags. That means we’re set up to save our customers money and to make the cleaning rag ordering process as convenient as possible. We value every customer, and we show it by creating value for our customers.
Contact us today to discuss your best cleaning rags.
]]>Industrialization in the mid-19th century transformed terry cloth from a niche product to a common household staple in the world’s advanced economies. Now, terry cloth is so common a lot of people aren’t quite sure what it is.
At its simplest, this type of cloth features uncut loops of thread which are bundled together in a small area. Typically, the looped threads are made out of cotton, or mostly cotton. Look at any bath towel in your linen closet and you’ll see terry cloth. This type of fabric can absorb more liquid per square inch, and it creates a multi-dimensional surface area that can clean surfaces more thoroughly.
Durability is another feature restaurants, bars, and hospitals expect when they order terry cloth rags and towels. This fabric can be used and washed hundreds of times before it starts to lose its effectiveness.
At All Rags, we offer both recycled and new terry cloth rags and towels in a variety of sizes and colors. If you need a consistent, thick, and durable wiping cloth for your hotel, restaurant, bar, or health care facility, we can help. And our bulk ordering process helps business owners save time and money.
Terry cloth comes in a wide variety of sizes, patterns, and colors, but many heavy users of terry cloth like to buy simple, white rags. White shows stains, making it easier to tell clean piles from dirty piles. White rags also won’t be faded or streaked by cleaning solvents. This reduces the chances of a customer seeing a streaked or stained rag in your business.
Of course, businesses who need durable and efficient cleaning cloths for use behind the scenes, where customers will never see them, don’t worry so much about appearances. These types of businesses can save money with recycled terry cloth rags.
By recycled, we mean previously used hand towels, beach towels, or even bathrobes – all of which have been repurposed into cleaning cloths. Since there’s no need to buy newly woven fabric, customers can save money when they choose recycled wiping cloths.
Terry cloth isn’t a lint free fabric, so it’s not always a good fit for sensitive projects like furniture staining or cleaning electronics. Customers who need a lint free rag should consider microfiber.
Terry cloth also frays when cut. Our new, white terry cloth rags feature hemming that prevents fraying.
These rags can also fade over time — and they can streak when they come in contact with some cleaning solvents. That’s one reason white is the most popular option for many customers.
Whether you’re buying new or recycled terry cloth, buying in bulk through All Rags can save your business money. You’ll save per rag, but you can also save on shipping costs. And, by receiving fewer orders, you can cut down on the amount of time your employees spend stocking supplies.
Our customer service staff excels at helping businesses find the best deal on the rags they need.
Contact us today to talk about your company’s specific needs.
]]>But aren’t towels all the same? What makes one gym towel better than another gym towel?
That answer depends on your unique needs. Here are seven factors that can help you decide.
]]>But aren’t towels all the same? What makes one gym towel better than another gym towel?
That answer depends on your unique needs. Here are seven factors that can help you decide.
These seven factors can make all the difference next time you’re ready to stock up on gym towels:
Cotton is the most popular towel material for gyms. Cotton is easy to find, affordable, easy to wash, and durable enough for most shoppers. Cotton also provides a familiar feel for most gym members.
But gyms now have more options, like poly blends (which include cotton and synthetic materials). Since these towels incorporate fibers that are engineered for extra durability, blended gym towels can withstand more wash cycles without losing performance.
Some gyms have switched to microfiber gym towels. Microfiber performs well and dries quickly, reducing the chances of mildewing in the bin.
Denser gym towels perform better, but denser towels also take up more space in the wash and on the shelf. That said, if you go with a lighter weight fabric which absorbs less, won’t your clients just use more towels? This can become a dilemma for gym managers.
That’s one reason some gyms like microfiber, which combines high density and lightweight qualities into one product.
But if you stick with cotton, you may as well get a high-density weave despite its heavier weight. It’ll perform better and leave your gym members more satisfied.
As for gym towel size: Is a hand towel too small? Is a bath towel too big? Most gym owners say yes to both. This 16”x27” size strikes a perfect medium.
Towels that don’t absorb well enough frustrate gym members, and they often cause gym members to use more than one towel at a time. This increases washing burdens on your staff or towel service.
So high-absorbency is a must in the gym, especially in humid climates. Fortunately, today’s towels can now be highly absorbent without requiring long fibers that dry slowly, harbor germs, and take up excess space on the shelf.
We’ve touched on this already, but drying time still deserves its own mention. Towels that stay damp longer attract more bacteria, and they’re harder to wash and dry.
Faster-drying towels usually have smaller fibers (low pile) when compared to traditional cotton weaves. That’s where the poly-blends — and microfiber — can help.
Lower quality gym towels absorb less moisture and shed more lint. That creates a big frustration for someone who just finished running several miles on a treadmill or just bench pressed their personal best.
That’s why gym managers typically stock quality towels. They may cost a little more, but they’re worthwhile. Plus, following a towel’s washing and drying instructions, and using gentle detergents, will extend the towel’s life.
Gym towels take up a lot of space on the shelf and in the bin. Using a lighter weight fabric makes the stacks and piles of gym towels easier to manage. And it reduces staff time required to stock clean towels and remove used towels.
We listed appearance last because a towel’s looks matter less than how it performs. However, appearance still matters.
For example, buying towels with a distinct appearance makes it easy for your staff to separate towels from other linens that may find themselves in a towel bin. Plus, if a client accidentally takes a towel home, it’ll stand out in their dirty clothes hamper. They’ll be more likely to return it.
A simple blue line on the towel is distinct enough to do the job.
Because of the microscopic size of the rag’s fibers, many more fibers will fit into each square inch of fabric. This multitude of fibers creates a more multidimensional (and more effective) cleaning surface. Plus, the fibers are usually made of nylon and polyester, making microfiber more durable and longer lasting.
Nothing else on the market has matched microfiber’s performance. So what’s the catch? Why don’t all companies use microfiber for all cleaning projects?
Most of the time, it’s the cost. Microfiber rags cost more to produce so they cost more for companies to stock. Unless a company must have microfiber — think high-end furniture or electronic applications — stocking traditional cotton, or even recycled rags, saves money.
So, if you’re considering making the jump to microfiber for some of your business’s applications, the question to ask is this: Does my staff really need microfiber? The following information can help you decide.
Microfiber rags and towels clean better and dry faster than other wiping rags. Here are some reasons why:
Microfiber rags feel softer than other types of cleaning rags. Because of this, microfiber is safe for delicate and smooth surfaces. If you’re cleaning or polishing a surface that must maintain its appearance, microfiber will be worth the investment.
With so many fibers creating more surface area, microfiber rags can absorb more when you’re cleaning liquid spills. Higher absorbency allows fewer rags for the same job. Cleaning applications that need faster results may prefer microfiber.
These rags’ synthetic fibers last longer than cotton and other natural materials. Microfiber can withstand more washing and drying cycles than most other types of rags. They last longer.
Microfiber towels can also dry out faster than other materials because each fiber holds a smaller amount of moisture.
Microfiber’s large number of fibers per square inch creates more cleaning power, especially for porous or uneven surfaces.
Unlike cotton towels and rags, microfiber — with its tiny, synthetic fibers — won’t produce much, if any, lint. That’s one reason electronics makers and high-end craftspeople insist on using microfiber.
The ecological impact of different types of cleaning rags depends a lot on how you use them. Microfiber includes synthetic materials which are less environmentally friendly than natural products like cotton. However, since they last longer and perform better, you’ll keep microfiber longer which has a positive environmental impact.
It’s true that not every business needs the best cleaning rags. But some do, including:
Car washes need soft, efficient cleaning rags to avoid damaging a customer’s paint job. Microfiber is a must for detailers who need to protect a car’s finish while also getting it clean.
High-end furniture builders, and companies that restore or refinish furniture, often use microfiber cloth to protect their products throughout the process of building or restoring.
Higher end hotels and cleaning services that uphold exacting standards like to keep microfiber rags on board their cleaning carts. Microfiber can clean more thoroughly without damaging tile or marble.
Glass cleaners who can avoid leaving streaks and lint on the glass can work faster and more effectively. That’s why they’re usually willing to pay more for microfiber.
When cleaning near electronics, releasing lint in the air can become a huge problem. Microfiber creates less lint than other types of cleaning rags. Plus, because of its natural scouring power, microfiber can clean some surfaces without cleaning products.
Many cleaners like to keep microfiber cloths nearby to help with a variety of everyday needs:
They’re a bigger investment, but microfiber rags can also last a lot longer, especially when you take good care of them by:
Buying microfiber in bulk lowers the price per rag, making it more cost-effective for your business to have the best cleaning rags on the market.
All Rags specializes in wholesale bulk orders, and we specialize in providing the best customer service in the market.
These retailers know you’re already buying office supplies, paper products, and light bulbs. So they put out a display of wiping rags, knowing you might buy those too — just because it’s convenient compared to making another stop or placing a separate order.
So how do product specialists, like All Rags, compete with the power of convenience? To start with, we make shopping even more convenient. But we don’t stop there.
]]>These retailers know you’re already buying office supplies, paper products, and light bulbs. So they put out a display of wiping rags, knowing you might buy those too — just because it’s convenient compared to making another stop or placing a separate order.
So how do product specialists, like All Rags, compete with the power of convenience? To start with, we make shopping even more convenient. But we don’t stop there. We also beat the big boxes on:
Recent inflation due to supply chain bottlenecks and increased consumer demand has caused the average price of many retail products to skyrocket. Consumers are becoming more price conscious than ever, leading to price sensitivity across a wide range of items.
Wiping rags and towels are no exception. Whether its T-shirt rags or microfiber towels, bulk rags or individual boxes, price matters — and we deliver.
Check out this example:
Big Box
All Rags
As you can see, the same box of rags on Amazon costs twice what you’d pay at All Rags.
Why? In many cases, big box stores don’t care, at the end of the day, whether you buy their rags or not. They hope you’re willing to pay more for the convenience of buying rags along with other supplies. But if you’re not, they’re OK with that. The person in line behind you might be.
At All Rags, we want you to get the best possible value for your dollar. We care about your value because we know satisfied customers become repeat customers. We keep our prices as low as we possibly can.
A well-tailored suit or dress always fits better than something you bought off of the general clothing rack. All Rags takes that same approach and dedication toward our wiping rag items.
If you shop at a big retailer for a box of rags for cleaning up grease and oil around your garage, you will probably find only one choice. In the biggest stores, you might find two choices — assuming neither choice is out of stock.
Usually, the off-the-shelf product won’t be ideal for your specific need. The worst-case scenario happens when your one choice on the shelf is a premium, lint-free product and you don’t need a rag that nice. Why should you have to pay for performance when you don’t need it?
Chances are, the employees at the big box store won’t have an answer to that question. We do.
Our answer comes in the form of stocking a wide variety of rags for a wide variety of needs. If you need rags for oil clean-up, we have affordable, heavy-duty rags for that. If you need to clean sensitive electronic equipment, we have microfiber, lint-free rags for that. If you need something in-between, we have a rag for that, too.
We know rags. Our wiping cloth experts can help you select the right cloth for your specific needs so that you don’t waste time and money on a “multi” purpose rag from a big box store.
Everybody knows it’s convenient to get everything from one store, whether it’s an online retailer like Amazon or a huge warehouse store such as Lowe’s or Walmart.
But how much time do you spend in these stores (and on these sites) sifting — trying to find the one item you need? What about when you need someone to help give you a suggestion on an alternative item when your primary item is out of stock?
These common experiences in a big box chip away at the convenience factor. When you need bulk rags or boxes of wiping cloths, it’s more convenient to give All Rags a call.
At All Rags, customer service isn’t a thing of the past. We have a dedicated team to help all customers. From helping you with a box of rags to a bulk rag order, or even just talking you through a conundrum that you are having in your day, our customer service team at All Rags is top notch and here to help!
Buying almost anything in bulk allows you to save money on the per-item cost. Buying in bulk can also save time and effort, in the long run. Storing a large quantity of an item means you can shop for the item less often. What’s more convenient than not having to shop at all?
Wiping cloths don’t have to be purchased one box or bag at a time as the big box retailers sell them. If you have the room and need, try buying bulk rags! Bulk wiping cloths are not an option at the Walmarts and Amazons of the world.
At All Rags, our specialists can help you narrow down your bulk rag order to make it the most cost efficient for you. Bulk rags do not just mean shipping a full pallet of wiping cloths. Bulk rags could be half or even quarter pallets.
The more you buy, the more you will save on your PER-BOX shipping costs which can equate to hundreds of dollars in savings. Every penny counts as bulk wiping cloth orders are the way to go.
Our fast-paced world places convenience at the top of the hierarchy of needs. So we strive to make your wiping cloth purchases as convenient as possible. But, unlike big boxes and huge online retailers, we don’t have to sacrifice value, quality, customer service, and product choices in order to provide convenience.
We offer the best prices, the highest quality, the most choices, and the best customer service — and we offer those things conveniently. And that’s how we can outperform the huge retailers.
You can sit from the comfort of your home or office and order bulk rags right to your office, job site or home. Ordering boxes of rags has never been easier and you do not have to make the choice between convenience and other key factors. You get both!
]]>When you order commercial kitchen towels in bulk, you can achieve this goal. You’ll have enough rags and towels in storage. Your operation won’t screech to a halt while somebody figures out how to clean up a messy spill.
This is especially true when you get top-quality, cost-efficient towels and rags from Allrags, which can deliver a wide variety of commercial kitchen towels to meet your ongoing needs.
The kind of towels you need will depend on the kitchen and the job. Many of our food service clients stock a variety of rags and towels for different needs. As you consider which towels to stock, you’ll need to think about:
If you’re not sure what product to buy, please contact our customer service specialists at 1-888-335-6439 or reach out to us online here.
For almost a century, Allrags has been serving businesses like yours by delivering quality products reliably and affordably. Customer service is at the heart of our business. We have 10 distribution warehouses nationwide which means we can turn orders around quickly.
When you place your order, be sure to ask about our discount for bulk orders over 500 pounds. Even if you place a bulk order, you can get 10-, 25-, or 50-pound boxes so your staff won’t have to deal with storing huge boxes. We can also ship in compressed cubes to save even more storage space.
As a restaurant owner or manager, you already have a lot to think about. Let us take stocking adequate commercial kitchen towels off your to-do list.
]]>These companies rely heavily on grease rags to keep work areas safe without stopping the entire operation to deep clean equipment and surfaces.
]]>These companies rely heavily on grease rags to keep work areas safe without stopping the entire operation to deep clean equipment and surfaces.
A lot of our manufacturing and automotive clients use a combination of our industrial rag options.
The cotton shop towels or Cotton Herringbone Dishcloths work well for cleaning off greasy hands or parts, while the recycled corduroy rags effectively lift grease and oil from surfaces. Our popular recycled sweatshirt rags are highly absorbent, even for solvents, oil, and other grime.
We also have a variety of disposable options such as the durable DRC wipes and Airlaid products.
If it’s like most work areas, your shop may need to stock different rags for different applications.
Rags made from reclaimed material are a great choice for cleaning small hand tools and small industrial parts. These rags are cost efficient since they’re made from recycled T-shirts. They come in assorted sizes and quantities.
Since they’ve been worn as clothes and likely washed many, many times in the past, these rags are highly absorbent, especially considering their low price point.
To get tools and parts as clean as new, consider soaking them in solvent before scrubbing them with a recycled rag.
If you need more durability and don’t mind spending a little more, check out our huck towels.
Shops have a lot of choices for employee hand washing. Of course, soap and a scrub brush may be your first line of defense here. But if you need to make rags available to your employees, disposable shop rags are typically best.
It’s especially good to have these rags on board service trucks and any other time crew members won’t have immediate access to soap and water.
For example, this DRC pop-up box is especially good for hand washing. Some of our clients like to keep Cotton Herringbone Dishcloths around for this purpose.
Grease on the production floor can be dangerous and costly. That’s why our industrial and automotive clients keep a steady supply of large grease cloths.
Recycled corduroy rags and towels are really good at absorbing excess grease, industrial fluids, or oil spills. Using these rags first makes mopping and scrubbing faster and more effective.
Explore our Industrial Rags page to see the full range of products we offer! Please contact our customer service specialists if you have any questions.
]]>We can think of two big reasons.
Most of our customers need a constant supply of rags year-round. Painters, repair shops, metal workers, car washes, industries — they all rely on rags to do their jobs cleanly and effectively.
And when you need to maintain a large supply of cleaning rags, you’ll want a system that’s both reliable and inexpensive. We supply cost-effective solutions that will meet your business needs without bleeding you dry.
Whether you need old T-shirts, huck towels, or mop pads, we keep our products functional to keep your costs down.
This is true for all of our products, but recycled wiping rags help our customers save even more money. It makes sense: Using reclaimed source material instead of buying new towel or T-shirt material cuts costs, and we pass those savings on to our customers.
When compared to recycled rags, new wiping cloths are typically less superior in their absorption capabilities, which means jobs take more time — and more rags — to complete.
Our recycled rags will soak up more fluids than rags made from new material, which means your tasks take less time and require fewer supplies.
And our rags keep things simple with a single use. No need for folding, sorting, stacking, or storing. Use them once and throw them away!
YES, recycled rags — also known as reclaimed wiping rags — have been previously used… by you as a T-shirt, sweatshirt, bath towel, or bed sheet. All recycled items are manufactured from post-consumer products that have been previously washed.
A t-shirt served its first life being worn by the consumer, but comes to you in its second life as a wiping cloth, helping you clean up the dirtiest of jobs, creating a cleaner, safer working environment.
Pretty rags don’t do anything that recycled rags can’t do. And recycled wiping cloths cost less and clean more.
They’re cheaper and more effective. But recycled rags have other advantages, too.
First, there’s the environmental impact. Any time you can re-use a commodity, you can save some energy and money. For example, when you buy a bottle of water for $2 and refill it four times rather than buying four more bottles of water, you’ve reduced your need for new plastic.
It works the same way with rags. Every recycled rag reduces the demand for new source material.
But lowering demand is bad for the economy, right? Not necessarily. Recycled shop towels, cotton T-shirt material, denim, and terry cloth requires labor, too.
In fact, the process of sorting, cleaning, and packaging recycled wiping cloths is more labor intensive than the process of manufacturing new material. And, now that textile manufacturers have moved their factories to the developing world, the labor for recycled rags is more likely to happen in the U.S.
It’s a win-win.
Reclaimed wipers are versatile, affordable, and they make economic and environmental sense. But they won’t make sense for every customer.
By their nature, reclaimed wiping rags have slight irregularities in size and color. If you’re looking for rags that are pretty, matching, or floral, then recycled probably isn’t the solution for you.
We also offer a full line of high-quality rags made from new material for customers who need precision. For example, a cabinet stainer may need new rags in order to apply stain precisely.
But if you’re looking for a product that’s cheap, effective and one-and-done, we are here to help!
Whether you buy rags 10 pounds at a time or a quarter-ton at a time, All Rags is here to help. We have 10 distribution centers around the nation which means we can provide fast shipping to any location in the continental U.S.
The textile and wiping rags business has changed a lot since we opened our first location more than 90 years ago. One thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing the best customer service at affordable prices.
]]>Different jobs require different tools. That’s why we stock such a wide variety of rags, including industrial-strength disposable paper wipes.
We also strive to be environmentally conscious and support other businesses in their environmental awareness by offering recycled rags. They’re made from previously worn sweatshirts, flannel, and T-shirts, and they’re useful just about anywhere there’s gritty, dirty work to be done.
Some of our customers don’t know exactly what type of cleaning rag their shop, restaurant, salon, or gym will need. With so many choices, that’s understandable.
So here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
Heavy duty cleaning jobs need rags made from durable material like terry cloth. Not only are these rags and towels thick and absorbent, but they’re also among the most affordable.
Their durability and simplicity also means you can wash and re-use terry cloth repeatedly without losing much of their effectiveness.
Microfiber has become the go-to material for professional cleaning crews. Once you’ve used this material, you’ll understand why.
Microfiber rags adhere to surfaces from multiple angles which means they can grip and absorb a lot more dust, dirt, and bacteria — even when they’re dry.
Some businesses and industries can’t wash and reuse rags. So they choose disposable rags. This option grew more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health care cleaning crews, in particular, have gone this route in recent years since studies have connected disposable cleaning supplies with a reduction in health care-associated infections.
If you’re using rags to polish or stain furniture or cabinets — or if you’re in the technology sector — lint from cleaning rags and cloths can be a problem.
To reduce or eliminate the problem of lint, look for a knit rag or microfiber material.
Cloth diapers, like the ones babies used to wear decades ago before disposable diapers took over the market, make excellent cleaning rags.
They’re dense yet soft, creating a perfect balance for durability and cleaning effectiveness with any kind of cleaner.
When your business uses a lot of rags but does not need every rag to look the same, recycled wiping rags can offer some unmatched advantages.
They’re a lot more affordable, for starters, and they give new life to old clothes that might otherwise be tossed into a landfill.
Plus, because the material has already been washed repeatedly, these rags tend to be softer and more absorbent than their new counterparts.
Browse our products below to place your online order or call our customer service representatives at 1-888-335-6439.
You can also reach out to us online for a quote that’s specific to your needs.
]]>Whether you sand, dust, stain, polish, oil, or wax furniture, you’ll find the wiping cloths you need at All Rags.
But with so many choices, how do you know which wiping rags to buy?
According to our current customers in the furniture manufacturing industry, it’s all about the knit!
Here are their top choices:
Our customers say recycled, gray T-shirt knit rags are the most cost-effective wiping cloths for applying varnishes, paints and stains. The instructions on the product you’re using might say “apply with a clean white cloth.” But a gray knit cloth works just as well in most cases.
Gray knit cloths will not color bleed, and the product you’re applying will be visible on the rag. Recycled rags are low lint and very absorbent. They’re non-abrasive, reusable, and washable, too.
Recycled gray knit wiping cloths cost less, and they’re also more ecologically friendly. They might be just the ticket if you are painting, staining, varnishing, oiling or waxing.
Some of our customers prefer a white cloth, especially if they’re using a lighter varnish or stain. These customers tend to buy our recycled, white T-shirt knit rags.
White T-shirt knit rags may not be quite as cost effective as their gray counterparts, but they’re just as ecologically friendly — and they’re more economical than buying rags made from new material.
There’s no doubt that recycled rags provide the best value while still maintaining a high level of performance for woodworkers and furniture makers.
But some customers still prefer buying rags made from new textile material so they can control more of the variables. We get it, and we’re glad to help.
We provide new gray and new white T-shirt rags for this purpose. New rags are all the same size, unlike recycled rags whose dimensions vary some from rag to rag.
Since they’ve never been worn as actual T-shirts — and therefore never gone through the wash hundreds of times — new rags provide the most consistency with lint and density. But regular washing of a fabric increases its absorbency, so new rags may take a while to break in.
Let’s talk about cleanup after a staining or varnishing job. There is no better, more cost-effective, all-purpose wiping cloth for cleaning than our recycled, color T-shirt knit rags.
Our customers use these cost-effective rags to clean machinery and to wipe down materials after sanding. They’re also great for wiping your hands or the sweat from your brow.
Colored, recycled T-shirts offer the absolute best value, even when compared to rags made from white and gray recycled materials.
Recycled, color knit rags are made from previously used T-shirts that have typically been washed lots of times in their lifetime, making them softer and more absorbent. They will have slightly more lint than their new knit counterparts, which are also a good alternative for cleanup.
New and recycled gray or white knits work great for polishing, staining and varnishing. They’re the top choice for our customers who buy bulk material for large-scale, industrial projects. They’re also a great choice for
But specialty shops that require the very best material go with our new, white cotton knitted diapers.
These rags are soft, absorbent, thick, low in lint, and chemical free. And they’re also consistent in size, density, and weave.
Homeowners and house cleaners who dust and polish furniture love microfiber towels which are made of high quality microfiber cloth. Our microfiber rags come in 12x12 and 16x16 sizes — perfect for cleaning and dusting furniture and fixtures.
What is microfiber cloth? It’s made out of synthetic yarn that’s split into fibers that are too small to see, increasing the rag’s surface area and exponentially increasing its capacity for gripping and trapping dust — all without using any cleaning products.
Along with dusting, these products also work for cleaning surfaces: Just add water and the microfiber dusting cloth will clean any smooth, polished surface.
These are essentially lint free rags. The downside is that you’ll have to be sure to follow washing instructions to keep your microfiber towels at peak performance.
Always start with a clean rag, whether you’re using a recycled or new rag. Make sure the surface is free of dust. Wipe the stain into the grain of the wood, and start with small amounts of stain on the rag because wood stain tends to dry on cloth quickly.
Lint free rags with high thread counts work exceptionally well for staining wood. You can also use rags made from recycled or new T-shirt material for staining, but it’s best to avoid colored rags which are best for cleaning up after a project. White or gray rags allow you to see how much stain you’ve put on the rag.
Applying wood stain with a rag allows for a consistent and thorough application. Apply stain to the rag and then work the rag along the grain of the wood, starting with small amounts of stain. Always use a clean rag. Dust the surface before staining the wood.
If you are currently using new, white knit wipers in your furniture manufacturing or refinishing business and want to save money, try our new, gray knits which work just as well at a lower cost. If you are using new, gray knit wipers, consider trying recycled, gray knits.
If you have questions or would like to try out a product before buying, be sure to call our customer service representatives. They will gladly send you some samples.
Call us today at 1-888-335-6439 to talk with an All Rags specialist about your furniture wiping cloth needs or contact us online to find the best wiping cloths for your business.
]]>The first choice to make is whether to buy rags made from new material or rags made from salvaged, or previously used, textiles.
Recycled wiping rags — also known as reclaimed wiping rags — have several benefits.
Here are our top five reasons to choose recycled rags:
Recycled wiping rags are always less expensive than wiping rags made from never-before-used textiles. The reason for the savings is simple: Just like a used car or a used household appliance, it’s cheaper to buy rags made from reclaimed textiles instead of relying on brand new material.
But unlike a used car or a used appliance, there’s no need to sacrifice consistency of performance when you save money with reclaimed textiles. Whether the source material comes from reclaimed white T-shirts, sweatshirts, corduroy, denim, or flannel, shoppers can still expect consistency when they buy recycled wiping rags.
Recycled wiping rags are more absorbent than their new counterparts. In their previous lives as clothing or household textiles, recycled wiping rags were likely washed many times. Washing fabrics makes them soft and absorbent.
Think about how that favorite cotton T-shirt has softened over the years. It will absorb a droplet of water instantly. That same droplet would roll off a new T-shirt.
And, there is significantly less risk of color bleed when using recycled wiping rags with solvents and chemicals when compared with rags made from new material.
Reclaimed wiping rags are cost-effective. For many consumers, that’s reason enough to choose recycled wiping rags over rags made from new materials.
But choosing reclaimed rags has another benefit: reducing the waste in our landfills.
According to the Council for Textile Recycling, 85 percent of post-consumer textile waste ends up in our landfills. And, the average citizen throws away 70 to 80 pounds of textile waste annually, accounting for about 15 million pounds of textile waste.
Buying recycled wiping rags isn’t going to solve all the world’s ecological problems overnight, but even our little choices can help Mother Nature.
Modern textiles are durable, which is great for consumers. But once modern textiles enter a landfill, this durability has a downside. As textiles decompose, they emit carbon. And today’s textiles can survive centuries in a landfill before they decompose completely.
According to Textile Recycling Facts and Figures, “the annual environmental impact of a household’s clothing is equivalent to the water needed to fill 1,000 bathtubs and the carbon emissions from driving an average modern car for 6,000 miles.”
Choosing reclaimed wiping rags gives old sweatshirts, denim, and even colored T-shirts a new life, keeping them out of landfills.
Reclaiming textiles for use as wiping rags is labor intensive, employing thousands of workers in the United States. Workers sort and cut used clothing and textiles into wiping rags. Each garment is handled, processed, and inspected by a human employee.
Compare that to today’s textile industry which relies more and more on automation and outsourcing, and recycled wiping rags make even more sense economically.
Recycled wiping rags can be used for cleaning up any kind of mess, whether at work or in the home. Recycled rags perform consistently since the fabric has typically been washed and re-washed multiple times in its former life as a sweatshirt or T-shirt.
Unless a material has been exposed to hazardous or flammable materials, it can be cleaned and recycled. Recycled rags made from reclaimed textiles usually come from T-shirts, flannel, or denim, and workers sort out unsuitable materials.
What is the best material for rags?
Cotton performs well and remains durable despite multiple uses. Reclaimed white T-shirts are often made of cotton with high thread counts, making them versatile as reclaimed wiping rags. Microfiber rags made from new materials work well for removing stains and polishing wood, vinyl, chrome, and glass.
Yes, they’ve been previously used as T-shirts, towels, or jeans. But they’ve also been previously washed before they’re cut into rags. While reclaimed wiping rags are cleaned and ready for use when they arrive at your home or business, they don’t always look pretty. Shoppers who need matching patterns and colors should buy rags made from new materials.
If you are not currently using recycled wiping rags at home or in your business, we encourage you to try some with your next wiping rag purchase. Keep an open mind, as they don’t always look as pretty or as consistently shaped as new wiping rags.
If the wiping rag’s outward appearance is not important to its function, a recycled rag is clearly the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice you can make.
Check out our specials on Recycled Color T-shirt Knit Rags and Recycled Colored Sweatshirt Rags and call us today at 1.888.335.6439 or order online to start benefiting from using recycled wiping rags.
]]>