There is little doubt that cleaning tools and technology have evolved in recent years, which is why it is so refreshing when a long-standing stalwart of the cleaning industry, the Bag of Rags, is still selling in huge volumes. For Davis & Moore, the Bag of Rags has been a staple product for over 40 years, a product you could say was ahead of its time, when you consider the environmental benefits that it delivers. Essentially, these recycled pieces of cloth are the cleaning equivalent of the circle of life, adding life to a product which would otherwise be thrown away, and yet providing a perfect solution for engineers, painters, and technicians.
What Exactly is a Bag of Rags?
In essence, a Bag of Rags from Davis & Moore is exactly what it says on the tin. It is a bulk-packaged collection of recycled textiles that have been graded and cut to meet the diverse demands of industrial cleaning. Typically, Davis & Moore sell them in 5 to 10 kg bags, which are vacuum-packed to reduce storage requirements, and just as importantly, to keep the contents bone-dry until they need to be used.
The bags of Rags sold by Davis & Moore are made from very specific sources, which is important as it ensures that there are no dangerous pieces of metal shards or other materials that could cause significant damage to the surface being cleaned. The materials used include
Hotel Ben Linen – these are typically perfect for their high absorbency and low lint.
Pre-loved Clothing: T-shirts, sweatshirts, and corduroy are cut down to size, removing zips, buttons, and seams to ensure they won’t scratch delicate surfaces.
Industrial Offcuts: Leftover scraps from textile mills that offer a sustainable alternative to virgin materials.
General Cleaning Tasks Still Require High Quality Materials – Not All Bags of Rags Are Made Equal
Although there are a multitude of reasons why so many Davis & Moore customers purchase our Bag of Rags, it is essential to understand that not all of these types of products are manufactured to the high standard that Davis & Moore focuses on. Davis & Moore operate a grading system, with each piece of cloth that enters one of their bag of rags graded on three specific metrics – Absorbency, Linting, and Polishing.
Mixed coloured towels, which are made from Terry fabric or towelling, are perfect for situations where high absorbency is essential, such as heavy oil spills, or when working with hydraulics.
White T-shirt rags made from recycled cotton shirts are best suited for precision cleaning tasks or cleaning up solvents, thanks to their soft texture and low lint.
Coloured Sweatshirt Rags are perfect for general workshop wiping, as they tend to be the most economical solution, particularly if you need to purchase in high volumes.
White Sheeting, made from old hotel bed sheets, are the ultimate solution for glass polishing and painting dust sheets.
The Environmental Solution of Highly Absorbent Rags – The Circle of Life Perfectly Executed
In quite a sad state of affairs, the word sustainability has been used and, to some extent, abused by the marketing experts. When it comes to digging deep, many so-called sustainability claims are nothing more than marketing fluff, but for Davis & Moore, their commitment and dedication to the environment are an intrinsic part of their business model. Every bag of super absorbent rags represents a cost-effective solution for their customers, whilst at the same time delivering a significant diversion of textile waste from landfill sites.
Davis & Moore source their materials from UK laundries and clothing recyclers, which in turn dramatically reduces the carbon footprint attributed with the manufacturing of new virgin paper or polyester wipes. And another added advantage of these types of rags is that they can, in many cases, be washed and sterilised before being used again and again, further enhancing their environmental benefits.
Why the “Bag of Rags” Still Beats High-Tech Alternatives
The thing that surprises many people that we talk to is why a modern aerospace engineer at the cutting edge of technology, or even a high-end car detailer, would choose to use a recycled T-shirt over a branded and considerably more expensive microfibre cloth. The answer is surprisingly simple and relates to both versatility and cost.
- Chemical Resistance: Many synthetic wipes degrade or “melt” when in contact with harsh thinners or degreasers. Recycled cotton is naturally resilient.
- Scrubbing Power: Some recycled materials, like corduroy or heavy towelling, have a natural roughness that helps scrub away dried grease or paint that a smooth microfibre would just glide over.
- The “Disposable” Factor: In a messy environment like a foundry or an oil rig, a cloth becomes “one and done” once it’s saturated with heavy grease. Using a low-cost, recycled rag is far more economical than ruining an expensive technical wipe, which is why this type of product is perfectly suitable for the task at hand.
Contact Davis and Moore Today To Discuss Purchasing our Super Absorbent 10kg Bag of Rags.
Although you might think that there is no need to put a lot of thought into buying a bag of rags, our friendly and helpful customer service team can provide advice and guidance on the various options available to you as a customer. We can answer questions about the manufacturing process, demonstrate our range of products, and ensure that whichever product you buy from us is the perfect fit for your cleaning requirements.
We have a wide variety of products, and we have an easy order process because we understand that your time is valuable. At Davis & Moore, we want you to use our rags to help turn your ideas and investment into riches! Call our team today on 0161 848 8008
