Rags, paper towels and saving your pennies

The term ‘rag’ has had many meanings over the years. In modern times, it usually refers to an old bit of cloth, towel or other household item which has been recycled and reused to clean around the house. But it has not always had that meaning and currently ‘rags’ is also used to refer to professional cleaning cloths.

The history of rags is oddly entwined with that of the modern kitchen roll (or paper towel). During the early 1930’s the paper towel was first launched to the general public. At that time and during the war years, many people thought paper towels to be an unnecessary expense. Old cotton towels, bathrobes or even mats would be cut up and used as ‘rags’ around the house, mopping up spills and dealing with general cleaning duties. Some housewives even kept their ‘rags’ soaking in soapy water to maintain their quality.

Modern households will now happily spend hundreds of pounds a year on paper towels for their kitchen, when they could just as easily adopt the old ways. Environmentally aware, many kitchen roll manufacturers have started to use recycled paper for their paper towels. Similarly, suppliers of cleaning materials have started to use (and source) recycled products for cloths, rags and microfibre materials. You no longer need to cut up your own clothes or towels in order to get a good quality ‘rag’ that you can use around the house.

As a green alternative to paper towels, cotton rags and wipes are made from recycled cloths and textiles. They are reusable many times as they don't fall apart when they get wet. They are also generally machine washable, meaning you can easily keep them clean and fresh and not have to shell out more money for new ones. It’s worth considering how much money you could save by using recycled rags around your house in place of overly expensive kitchen towels.

There are also a wide range of varieties – each with its own specific benefit. For example, microfibre cloths are excellent for using on delicate surfaces. They pick up dust well and attract it away from the surfaces, into the depths of the material, meaning you are far less likely to scratch valuable objects. Paper towels, by comparison, are coarse and often contain large bits of wooden pulp – this can be harmful and leave scratches on things like television sets, paintwork and glass. Rags are your eco-friendly, penny-saving alternative. Doing a better job at less cost to you and the environment.