5 Different Types of Shop Towels and Their Uses
Posted by ERC Wiping Products on Apr 7th 2025
Shop towels help various industries, including automotive and manufacturing. All rags are not created equal, and each type will have different properties, such as absorbency or durability. Choosing the right type of rag for specific tasks will improve results and make wiping easy. You can find cleaning cloths in different sizes and materials at ERC Wiping Products. Here are five different types of shop towels and how they're used:
1. Red Shop Towels
These cotton towels are durable and absorbent. They're ideal for handling messes like grease, oil, and dirt. Red shop towels are commonly used in garages, industrial settings, and manufacturing plants. They're used for tasks like wiping down equipment and tools, fluid spills, or drying off parts during assembly. Unlike disposable wipers, cotton shop towels can be washed and reused multiple times. While some cloths will have slightly irregular shapes, each is sewn on the edges to prevent fraying.
2. White Shop Towels
White shop towels are 100 cotton, low in lint, and very absorbent. Because they are a great all-purpose rag, they are popular with many industries, including machine shops, printers, automotive repair, and manufacturing. These shop rags are machine washable and ideal for maintenance of precision machines and equipment, wiping oil, grease, and ink, and make great applicator cloths.
3. T-Shirt Rags
Recycled t-shirts offer an eco-friendly option for many industrial wiping applications. They're made from repurposed cotton shirts, which make them soft and highly absorbent because they are already broken in. They are ideal for wiping oil, grease, paint, and general clean up. When working with solvents or harsh cleaners, it's best to use white t-shirt rags, as they will not bleed. T-shirt rags are an effective shop towel for many professions, including:
- Painters
- Woodworkers
- Mechanics
- Custodial and contract cleaning services
4. Microfiber Towels
Microfiber towels help with detail-oriented cleaning, like glass surfaces. The ultra-fine fibers and weaves trap dust, dirt, and moisture. The material is soft and non-abrasive, which means it won't scratch or damage delicate surfaces. Microfiber is lint-free, making it ideal for cleaning mirrors or polishing surfaces. Car detailing services may use these towels for bodywork because they won't damage a car's paint or clear coat, which is crucial for preserving the finish and avoiding any imperfections during the cleaning process. At ERC Wiping Products, we offer a wide range of microfiber towels in different sizes, colors, and weaves.
5. Disposable Shop Towels
Disposable shop towels are great for multipurpose cleaning and heavy-duty wiping tasks. They are uniform in size, consistent quality, and offered in several dispensing/packaging options for storage and efficiency. Disposable shop towels are perfect for wiping up oil, grease, paint, water, or general cleaning. They are strong wet or dry, and their soft, cloth-like feel makes them an excellent cotton rag alternative. These shop towels are so versatile, they are popular in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, electronics, printing, hospitality, food processing, and more.
Use ERC Wiping Products For Cleaning Towels
Choosing the right towel or rag will help with specific cleaning tasks, such as wiping up oil spills. At ERC Wiping Products, we offer a wide variety of shop towels so we can find the best match for your application with options for every budget. Browse our website today to learn more about shop towels and their uses.