Shop Towel Manufacturers Sourcing

As exporters of shop towels, we offer high-quality, absorbent, and durable cleaning solutions for various industrial and commercial applications. Our products have a strong market presence in the USA and Canada, where bulk imports are driven by customized requirements.

Shop towels, also known as shop rags, are widely used for:

  • Cleaning heavy grease in manufacturing facilities.
  • Wiping inks with solvents in printing operations.
  • Absorbing spills in automotive repair shops and garages.
  • Food processing cleanups in industrial kitchens.

Specially woven for tough tasks, our shop towels offer high absorbency and long-lasting durability. They can withstand multiple washes, making them reusable and cost-effective. Unbleached cotton shop towels can be dyed in custom colors or used in their natural (greige) form.

We tailor our products to meet your specific requirements, including:

  • Material composition (100% cotton or poly-cotton blends).
  • Custom sizes and colors for bulk orders.
  • Competitive pricing based on order quantity.

Materials Used in Shop Towels

Depending on the intended use, shop towels can be made from various materials:

  • Cotton – The most common material, offering high absorbency, durability, and reusability.
  • Microfiber – Made from polyester and nylon, highly absorbent, fast-drying, and effective for dirt removal.
  • Paper – Disposable and designed for quick cleanups.
  • Blended Fabrics – Cotton-polyester blends provide durability and enhanced performance.

Yarn Composition & Construction

  • Cotton Shop Towels
    • 100% cotton yarns range from 10s to 24s (single or double yarn).
    • Lower yarn counts (10s, 12s) create thicker, more absorbent towels, while higher counts (24s) make lighter towels.
  • Poly-Cotton Blends
    • 85% cotton / 15% polyester blends, using 10s to 16s yarn counts.
  • Microfiber Shop Towels
    • Typically 80% polyester and 20% nylon for superior dirt-trapping ability.
  • Rayon Shop Towels
    • 80% rayon / 20% polyester blends offer softness and strength.

Common Shop Towel Sizes

Standard sizes for different industries include:

  • 12” x 12” – General-purpose cleaning.
  • 14” x 14” – Used in automotive shops and industrial settings.
  • 16” x 16” – Ideal for heavy-duty cleaning and spills.
  • 18” x 18” – Suitable for larger surfaces and high-absorbency needs.

Custom sizes available upon request.

Dyeing & Weaving Methods

  • Cotton: Reactive dyeing, vat dyeing, and direct dyeing for long-lasting colors.
  • Polyester: Disperse dyeing to bond color to synthetic fibers.
  • Microfiber: Sublimation dyeing for printed patterns.
  • Plain weave – Standard, durable, and strong.
  • Twill weave – Diagonal pattern, extra durability.
  • Waffle weave – Highly absorbent, moisture-trapping.
  • Ribbed weave – Textured for added scrubbing power.
  • Herringbone weave – Chevron design for superior strength.

Weight & GSM Options

Shop towels are available in different thickness levels:

  • Lightweight (150-250 GSM) – Suitable for general cleaning.
  • Medium-weight (250-350 GSM) – Ideal for industrial use.
  • Heavyweight (350-500 GSM) – Designed for grease, oil, and tough stains.

Standard packaging ranges from 1 to 4 pounds per dozen, depending on material and weight.

Quality Certifications & Testing Protocols

We ensure compliance with industry standards, offering:

  • ISO 9001 – Quality management certification.
  • Oeko-Tex Standard 100 – Ensures safety and environmental responsibility.
  • REACH Compliance – Required for the European market.
  • CPSIA – U.S. safety standards for children’s products.
  • GOTS Certification – Organic textile verification.
Testing Protocols Include:
  • Absorbency testing – Measures liquid retention capacity.
  • Strength testing – Determines tensile durability.
  • Durability testing – Evaluates longevity after multiple washes.
  • Colorfastness testing – Ensures resistance to fading.
  • Chemical testing – Detects harmful substances.

Global Market Insights

According to United Nations COMTRADE data (2020), the top 5 importers of shop towels were:

  1. United States – $207.3M
  2. Germany – $72.4M
  3. Canada – $63.7M
  4. United Kingdom – $47.8M
  5. France – $44.8M

We specialize in fulfilling bulk orders with customized specifications, ensuring top-quality shop towels for industrial, automotive, and commercial use.