Don’t Skip the Cafeteria: Top Rags for Food Service Cleanups
School’s out—but for janitorial teams, this is when the real work begins. Summer is the prime season for deep cleaning classrooms, hallways, and gyms. But there's one high-traffic zone that shouldn’t be an afterthought: the cafeteria.
The school cafeteria takes a beating. Daily food spills, sticky trays, messy benches, and constant foot traffic leave behind layers of grime that need more than a basic wipe-down. A deep clean during the summer isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about hygiene, health codes, and giving students a safe, fresh space when they return.
At A&A Wiping Cloth, we supply janitorial and maintenance crews with the right wiping rags for every space—and food service areas are no exception.
Here’s a spotlight on the best options for cleaning cafeterias from top to bottom:
1. New White Knit Rags – The Reliable All-Rounder
Made from soft, absorbent t-shirt material, New White Knit rags are great for cafeteria cleaning. These multi-use cloths are affordable, durable, and effective on surfaces ranging from lunch tables to trash bins.
Ideal For:
- Wiping food residue from tables and chairs
- Cleaning up soda spills or sticky surfaces
- General-purpose cafeteria cleaning
Why it works:
Low-lint and flexible for getting into corners and seams—especially on tables, seating, and food prep carts.
2. New Terry Bar Mop Towels – For the Big Messes
New White Terry Bar Mop towels are made from new 100% cotton terry material and provide maximum absorbency. When you're dealing with deep cleaning behind appliances or need to mop up heavy liquid messes, these are your go-to.
Ideal For:
- Cleaning floors beneath vending machines or kitchen equipment
- Heavy-duty liquid spills
- Drying and buffing metal surfaces
Why it works:
Thick and rugged with great grip—especially useful for sanitizing high-touch areas or drying after scrubbing.
3. Recycled White Sheeting – The Finishing Touch
For the polish pass, Recycled White Sheeting is a smart final step. Lightweight, smooth, and low-lint, these rags are perfect for streak-free results on stainless steel, plastic, or glass cafeteria surfaces.
Ideal For:
- Buffing sneeze guards and display cases
- Final wipe-down of prep counters or serving trays
- Polishing vending machine fronts or appliance doors
Why it works:
Leaves surfaces shiny and clean without leaving behind fibers or lint—a must for visible, high-traffic zones.
Pro Tip: Don’t Underestimate Quantity Needs
Summer deep cleans don’t happen in one day—and cafeterias can require dozens (or hundreds) of rags depending on the size of the facility. That’s why buying in bulk is always the better move. Whether you're cleaning a single school or managing a district-wide maintenance program, A&A Wiping Cloth can set you up with volume pricing and ongoing supply plans.
What to Clean in the Cafeteria During Summer Break
✔ Food prep counters
✔ Sneeze guards and trays
✔ Tables and benches
✔ Trash and recycling areas
✔ Storage shelves and carts
✔ Refrigerator and freezer doors
✔ Microwave handles, sinks, faucets
Clean It Right. Stock Up Smart.
Cafeteria cleaning is high-stakes—especially when food safety and student health are involved. Having the right rags on hand helps your crew work faster, clean better, and avoid costly rework when inspections come around.
Need help picking the right mix for your school?
Call us today and we’ll build a custom order based on your cleaning needs and budget. We’re ready to help you stock up, wipe down, and get your cafeteria spotless before fall.
- Call: (866) 922-7247
- Email: info@aawiping.com
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.