From Auto Shops to Agriculture: Summer’s Toughest Rags for Tough Jobs

When summer kicks into gear, so do the messiest jobs.

Mechanics, farmers, warehouse crews, and field techs all know the drill—sweat, dust, oil, and grime pile up fast, and staying clean (or at least functional) becomes a full-time task. Keeping workspaces, tools, and equipment in good condition during high-use months isn’t just about appearances—it’s about safety, efficiency, and protecting your gear.

Whether you're managing a single garage or a full-scale agricultural operation, mid-year is the time to refresh your cleaning strategy. And while every industry has its own workflow, they all rely on one shared element: reliable, hardworking wiping cloths.


Why Summer Demands a Different Kind of Cleaning

In hot environments, messes dry quicker, grease spreads faster, and dust settles everywhere. This is especially true in:

  • Auto shops, where oil, brake dust, and engine grime build up from longer service hours.
  • Agricultural operations, where tractors, tools, and harvest bins get constant use.
  • Construction sites, where dry conditions make debris and fine dust more aggressive.
  • Warehouses, where pallets, loading docks, and machinery accumulate grit fast.

In all these environments, regular cleaning isn't optional—it’s critical for avoiding equipment wear, slips, contamination, or simple downtime.


What to Prioritize in Mid-Year Cleaning

  • Tool and Equipment Wipe-Downs: Tools that are caked in grease or dust are harder to handle and wear out quicker. A daily or weekly wipe-down helps extend lifespan and keep crews moving safely.
  • Vehicle Interiors and Consoles: Trucks, forklifts, and service vehicles become mobile job sites. Keeping controls, seats, and storage areas clean reduces clutter, heat buildup, and distraction on the road.
  • Work Surfaces and Storage Areas: From shop benches to tractor hitches, flat surfaces collect everything from spilled coffee to fine metal shavings. Cleaning as you go prevents buildup and contamination—especially in food-related or mechanical spaces.
  • Cooling and Ventilation Equipment: Fans, vents, and AC units clog faster in summer. A good rag and a little maintenance help improve airflow and reduce fire risk in dry environments.

Choosing the Right Wiping Cloths for the Job

While paper towels or microfiber cloths have their place, they aren’t built for the intensity of these kinds of jobs. That’s where industrial wiping rags come in—specifically recycled options that are absorbent, durable, and available in bulk.

Depending on the task, different rag types can offer the best performance:

  • Terry towels are great for soaking up oils and wiping down machinery.
  • Flannel rags are ideal for surfaces that need abrasion without damage.
  • Sweatshirt rags offer a softer touch for dashboards, glass, or hands.

Terry Towels

Terry towels are great for soaking up oils and wiping down machinery.

Flannel Rags

Flannel rags are ideal for surfaces that need abrasion without damage.

Sweatshirt Rags

Sweatshirt rags offer a softer touch for dashboards, glass, or hands.

At A&A Wiping Cloth, these are some of our most frequently ordered rags during summer months—especially by auto shops and agriculture supply teams looking to stay ahead of their cleaning needs without overspending.


Mid-Year Tip: Stock Up Before You're Out

Many shops and field teams find themselves understocked halfway through the year, especially when workloads spike in summer. Buying in bulk during July helps you stay prepared through peak season—and eliminates the stress of scrambling for supplies in the middle of a job.


Summer is no time to cut corners on cleanup.

Whether you’re working under the hood, in the fields, or across a dusty warehouse floor, the right cleaning routine keeps tools running longer, spaces safer, and teams more efficient.

Need help building out your supply list for the season? A&A Wiping Cloth offers product guidance and bulk ordering for teams that work hard and clean smart.

What is Lint Free or Low Lint?

What is the big deal with lint free wiping rags?

What is the big deal with lint free wiping rags?

Well first off, most types of rags produce some type of lint that is left behind when being used. If you are cleaning glass, windows, mirrors, automobiles or electronics you will want as little lint as possible. There is nothing like cleaning a window and seeing lint all over it once you finish. That’s just not right! To get the best results with a wiping rag in these situations you want to use a low lint rag.

What exactly is Lint?

Lint is a small, fine fiber that detaches from the surface of cloth and yarn. With cotton a tighter weave means less lint but also means less softness. Typically the softer the item the more lint you will see. A lint free cloth is a special type of cleaning cloth that does not give up any fluff or lint when being used.

Cleaning Electronics with Lint Free Rags

It is very important when cleaning electronics to use a low lint cloth. Being free of lint means the cloth is less likely to build up a charge that can possibly harm electronic equipment. There is a concept called ESD where lint and fluff can gain an electric charge.

Cleaning Tip for Lint Free Rags

If you wish to keep your wiping rags to having low lint you need to wash them correctly. Don’t wash with other items that have lint such as bath towels because they will drop lint in the wash.

Examples of Lint Free or Low Lint:

A&A Wiping Cloth has a large supply of wiping cloth products that are low lint and lint free.

Click on any of the links below to purchase your rags immediately:

Microfiber Towels

New Blue Surgical Towels

White Knit

Choice White Cotton

Industrial White