Tips on cloths and fashion rags

Use clean rags. Sounds easy. But often we re-use rags/cloths that we've simply washed and washed again. Fact is, rags wear out too, with the fibers leaving rough edges which not only can damage the area that you want to clean but also is not as effective as a good new cloth. The good news is that rags are fairly cheap when you shop carefully. Buying in bulk can save you a lot... and perhaps make your prized possessions look better for longer.

When polishing your furniture, remember to wash your dust rags after about two polishing sessions. That is to prevent damaging furniture surfaces.

You will be tempted to wash your kitchen sink with the same sponge scourer that you washed your dishes. Ideally, you should not, lest you leave scratches on the stainless steel surface of the sink.

Do not use the same rag that you use to wash your wheel rims or tires on the body of the car; there might be fine grains of sand or grit stuck to the cloth which could damage the duco.

Let's keep it clean!

You will be tempted to wash your kitchen sink with the same sponge scourer that you washed your dishes. Ideally, you should not, lest you leave scratches on the stainless steel surface of the sink. Rather use a soft cotton cloth to wipe the area, together with well-known brands made particularly for cleaning such surfaces. The same goes for your washing machine. Regularly wipe it off with cotton or terry cotton, the towel-type cleaning cloths.

Industrial use

Cotton rags can be used for basically anything. And the good news is that they can be obtained fairly cheaply by importing secondhand clothing from China, the U.S.A. or even the U.K. Specifically ask for uncut secondhand clothing because it usually much cheaper than cut-to-size cloths.

Precision tools

Precision tools are expensive and are the main source of income for many. It is obvious that they should be well cared for. When working with or making precision tools, use only white quality t-shirting material which is non fluff. Spend a few cents more on stocking up on new cloths rather than risk old cloths scratching your precision tools.

Floor cleaning

There are many modern cleaning equipment to make floor cleaning easier. But often you get surfaces that need that extra bit of shining. Use cotton cloths such as T-shirting material and terry cotton, toweling type cloths, to wash and dry floors, walls, doors and windows. Again, take care that the cleaning cloths are free of grains of sand or grit.

Shining furniture

Cloths generally known as dust cloths can be used for polishing and shining of furniture or any wooden surfaces. They usually come in yellow or orange colors. Remember to wash your dust cloths after about two polishing sessions. That is to prevent damaging furniture surfaces.

Don't use just any old rag!

Cleaning cloths and rags can wear out too. Cloth fibers are made up of extremely thin threads made of various different materials, including wool, nylon, silk, etc. Over time, these fibers wear into rough edges which can scratch whatever you are trying to clean.

When washing your car, do not use cloth that has nylon, silk or lycra in it because that is the fibers that do not absorb water. Rags that may seem clean may have tiny grains of sand or grit stuck in it that could scratch the duco on your car. Consider using only new wiping rags. The cost is much lower than having to respray your car.