shop rags

[crownjewelwl]

looking for recommendations for cheap disposable rags for cleaning my bike. i've been using microfibers but they've been a pain to clean well. thanks!

[weaponsgrade]

I've found that using a piece of cardboard works ok for cleaning b/w the cassette cogs.

[thegunner]

throwaway cotton tshirts? i sure can't tell the difference between shop rags and an old shirt... :confused:

[bigmatt]

I have bought shop rags from Harbor Freight a few times. They are $13 for 50 of them. If you have a store nearby that would save some money on shipping.

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-50-15-inch-x-13-inch-all-purpose-shop-towels-46163.html

[AngryScientist]

i'm in the old t-shirt camp as well. or anything else my wife or i dispose of clothing wise. an old sheet can be cut up into 10 rags that will practically last a season.

[xjoex]

I stay in enough hotels, so I am flush with hotel wash cloths...

Joe

[Steve in SLO]

If you know anyone who works in a hospital, you might ask if they can get ahold of 'used' scrub towels. Our hospital uses blue cotton 'disposable' towels. They come in packs, and during most surgeries some that are not used end up heading to the trash anyway. I grab them and use them...better than making them medical waste. They're generally better quality and larger than the red shop towels.

[Matt-H]

Typically, old cotton shirts. Today, old socks.

[tuxbailey]

I use this:

http://www.rickly.com/sga/images/BLUETOWE.JPG

I buy them from Costco when on sale. Last a long time.

[sean]

Paint rags, those towels above, all work well and are cheap.

While were on the topic, what do you all do with your too used to clean up ones. Something tells me you can't toss 'em. I have a huge pile that's been building up for a while now.

[oliver1850]

.

[sean]

I thought that was just linseed oil.

[bike22]

I just save mine up and wash them in the washing machine.

they all come out clean.

[Steve in SLO]

Me too, but as an added step, I check and clean out the washer as needed afterwards. Nothing like residual grease in the tub and a load of whites...

[bluesea]

Why clean your bike when you should be riding it?--Fie designs (just kidding).

[bike22]

nope, no residual grease- soap suspends the grease in water, allowing it to wash away, ahh, the magic of a molecule with both polar and non polar components.

it's really no different than if you washed your clothing after working on your car, or any other application where you'd have grease on your clothes.

[Steve in SLO]

bike22:
Ever put really greasy rags in the washer and stop the cycle during the 'wash' portion? That surface film of half-dissolved grease and congealed yucko can deposit itself against the outside of the tub during the spin cycle and remain past the rinse cycle. It can be a mess for the next load. Ask my wife how I know...if you dare :argue:

[rockdude]

Rags? Heck, I just use my old J.C. Pennys white underware from 1976 that my wife will not let me ware any more. Darn things never ware out.....

[djg21]

I buy bags of cotton shop rags from the local Autozone store.

One bag lasts a LONG time. And the rags can be run through the wash with Lestoil and re-used.

[Ken C]

I just save mine up and wash them in the washing machine.

they all come out clean.


I buy the basic shop towels from Target, wash and reuse them. Although I did make the mistake of washing them in our washing machine at home and it left some grease residue in the washer. Now I go to a laundromat instead.

Kind of a waste to throw out the disposable towels or to not reuse the cloth ones.

[avalonracing]

Palin 2012 T Shirts.

[bluesea]

IAlthough I did make the mistake of washing them in our washing machine at home and it left some grease residue in the washer. Now I go to a laundromat instead.



What the...

[Steve in SLO]

I buy the basic shop towels from Target, wash and reuse them. Although I did make the mistake of washing them in our washing machine at home and it left some grease residue in the washer. Now I go to a laundromat instead.
Damn sociopath

[godfrey1112000]

you can buy rags?

Hampton Inn has great hand towels and work out bath towels with the blue stripe

Travel lodge, the towels look like rags

[AngryScientist]

as a bonus, when i'm done using my old tshirts for rags, i can sell them to abercrombie or other similar kids trendie stores for 18x what i paid for them. :banana:

[Bob Loblaw]

If you have kids (especially a son in the grammar school years), you never run out of worn out shirts, shorts, and pajamas. How the hell does this kid wear out pajamas??

BL

[bigflax925]

I've got several projects going, so I've been using these Nubtex cloths alot recently - very good for getting into small cracks and crevices and really getting things sparkly.

Nubtex (http://www.fiberwebgraphics.com/english/nubtex.htm)

I've run out of worn out t-shirts; undies; and socks; so I'm using these until I can replenish my supply.

[malcolm]

Palin 2012 T Shirts.


Didn't really work for me, wouldn't remove anything just smeared it around.

[CNY rider]

Didn't really work for me, wouldn't remove anything just smeared it around.


You mean Sarah, or the t-shirt? :)

[dogdriver]

Yup, old shirts, socks, undies, towels. If the old stuff supply from the house runs low, the bag-o-rags from HD or Harbor Freight is a good call...

[palincss]

you can buy rags?

Hampton Inn has great hand towels and work out bath towels with the blue stripe

Travel lodge, the towels look like rags

You steal hotel towels?

[crownjewelwl]

Really glad that my simple question has brought out the comedic inclinations of my fellow forumites... :beer:

[bluesea]

^ I like to think of it as humor.