We’ve already written about which cleaning rags to buy for just about any cleaning project. We’ve written about how to wash cleaning rags to help them last longer. We’ve even written about how to save money buying rags in bulk — and how to save even more money with recycled rags.

But, we’ve never written about throwing rags away. 

Maybe it’s a sore subject. At All Rags, we care a lot about cleaning rags and want them to last as long as they can. We want them to be recycled when possible. Maybe we just hate the thought of them being tossed into the trash forever. 

We know the best cleaning rags, like any other product, come with an expiration date. So this month we’re finally going to write about it — about when it’s time to toss out the cleaning rags.

When Should I Throw Away a Cleaning Rag?

For some of our customers, the answer to this question is easy: 

• In an auto garage, for example, oil and grease may be holding a rag together, but for the mechanic, the rag still does its job and should be kept. 
• In a high-end hotel or top-rated restaurant, a rag that starts to fray on one corner may end up in the trash a few minutes later. These cleaners can’t risk leaving fibers behind or letting a patron get the impression they’re cleaning with inferior products.

But extreme examples like these won’t reflect most cleaners’ experience. For most of our customers, the end of a rag’s useful life isn’t so clear. Lots of times, it seems easier to keep the rag for one more clean-up job than to buy a new box of rags.

So, when you’re not sure whether to throw away a cleaning rag, these questions can help you decide:

Does the Rag Smell Bad Even When it’s Clean?

Odors coming from clean rags usually mean bacteria has gotten embedded within the woven material of the rag. When bacteria reaches this structural level of a cloth, it can be harder to eradicate. Moisture makes this problem worse. It creates a breeding ground for bacteria.

When clean rags smell dirty, it’s time to use a more aggressive washing method — think baking soda and vinegar, or bleach in some cases. Or, it could be time to retire the rags altogether and order a new box.

Can You See Through the Rag?

If you look closely at any textile material, you’ll see the material is similar to a screen or a net. Threads run in both directions, interweaving with each other. With most modern textiles, the threads are so tiny they’re hard to see.

Some cleaning rags get used so many times that you can see this underlying structure of the rag more clearly. You can also see the structure start to break down. At first glance, this effect gives the rag a transparent look. 

Rags in this shape can’t do their job very well. It’s time to replace them.  

Am I Using More Rags than Usual?

When rags don’t clean as well as you expect them to, it’s probably time to replace them. This will happen near the end of a rag’s useful life as its fibers stiffen and start to spread, creating the transparent effect we mentioned above. 

It’s not always obvious, visually, because this process happens so gradually. But, professional cleaners notice the change in performance because they’re reaching for a clean rag a lot more often.  

This starts a downward spiral. Using more rags means washing more rags, and more frequent washes can accelerate this material breakdown. It’s better to retire struggling rags. 

Does it Leave Too Much Lint Behind?

Even the best low-lint cleaning cloths shed more lint when they start to break down. For some of our customers, such as electronics companies and furniture finishers, any lint is too much lint. These customers usually want to order new rags. 

Other cleaners can put up with lint for a while. A restaurant or bar, for example, may stop using lint-producing rags in the front-of-house, where customers could see them, but continue to use them to clean kitchen surfaces or bathroom counters. This is a judgement call.   

Does The Rag Look Bad?

This is another judgment call. Like any other fabric, colored cleaning rags fade. White cleaning rags lose their bright look. This doesn’t hurt their performance — in fact, many rags begin to absorb more after they’ve been washed a few dozen times. But appearance matters in many workplaces. For these customers, a dingy or faded rag won’t do.

Here’s a related pro tip: If your business doesn’t have to worry about appearances, consider buying recycled rags. Recycled rags, which are made from already used cloth, help the environment and the local economy, and they save money because they cost less than rags made from new textiles. Plus, since the material has already been washed many times, these rags are super absorbent right out of the box.    

Where Can I Buy More Cleaning Rags?

Before you toss out your cleaning rags, make sure you have a new supply ready to take their place. At All Rags, we specialize in matching our customers with the right cleaning rags for their unique needs.

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