Blue Shop Towels on a Roll

[JohninCT]

With the possible exception of use #5 I don't really see how the shop towels on a roll are any better than regular (and cheaper) paper towels so I don't buy them. I see them all the time at Sams Club. Are there good reasons why I should pay more money to do the same things I do with paper?

 

[Gary Fowler]

They seem to be much stronger than plain paper, thicker than a Bounty towel and less abrasive for use in cleaning eyeglasses than paper towel. They absorb more grease and oil also per sheet than paper towel.
They are bit more expensive than premium paper towel but worth it when you have grease everywhere.

 

[dusty3030]

With the possible exception of use #5 I don't really see how the shop towels on a roll are any better than regular (and cheaper) paper towels so I don't buy them. I see them all the time at Sams Club. Are there good reasons why I should pay more money to do the same things I do with paper?

For one, blue shop towels are more manly than some flowerdy paper towels with pictures of fruits and all on them (just kidding).

Biggest difference is tough. The blue towels I don't use as many, they hold together wet or soaked with hydraulic oil. They are also thicker. Higher quality regular paper towels do good as well, just the blue ones are made for us and just plain look better on the seat of a truck.

 

[mikehaugen]

For one, blue shop towels are more manly than some flowerdy paper towels with pictures of fruits and all on them

Definitely the most important reason!

They definitely are better though in all honesty. Do they make sense economically? Probably not. Unless you are cleaning up a big mess you probably won't use that many less. You still grab one or two when you need them and I can't imagine that you would keep that many to reuse- Most probably get pitched in the trash even with some useful life left. I still think overall that they are worth it as they are nice to use, kind of like paying for a small stupid luxury. And if you are reusing them always to get the most life out of them, then you probably are saving money.

 

[JohninCT]

I agree that rags are probably nicer to use, but like was mentioned I find that I keep them laying around until they are fully used up. Are far as the paper, who's talking about buying premium fluffy and flowery paper towels? For the barn and garage I'm talking the cheapest and most plentiful paper towels I can get. When I want to check the oil, wipe the tip of the grease gun, or sop up some oil I reach for the paper and throw it out right after. No temptation to keep oily rags laying around. I suppose in a way, it's a lot like argueing gear tractors vs HST tractors you pay for and use what you prefer.

 

[Bird]

With the possible exception of use #5 I don't really see how the shop towels on a roll are any better than regular (and cheaper) paper towels so I don't buy them. I see them all the time at Sams Club. Are there good reasons why I should pay more money to do the same things I do with paper?

Depends on what you use them for, I guess. We use both kinds. We use the Visa regular paper towels so you can pull of a square piece or just half a sheet at a time. We had a dispenser for the roll in the kitchen and one in the shop, but we also keep a roll on the bathroom counter in each bathroom. But as Gary Fowler said, the blue ones will absorb more, don't tear or fall apart as easily, etc. So there's definitely a place for both kinds of paper towels.

 

[94BULLITT]

Shop towels are way more durable and absorbent than a regular paper towel.

 

[mjarrels]

I'm kind of cheap, when buying gas and cleaning the windshield, I will toss a couple extra wipes in the truck from the gas station. Used towls from cleaning windshields, after they dry, are great for wiping dipsticks clean.

mark

 

[wraw982k]

I caught the blue shop towels on sale at Tractor Supply as a closeout and bought five 6 packs for $2.50 each. They have really come in handy for all of the uses described above except for a few on the list. I am outside working on something almost daily and I keep 2 to 3 rolls stacked on a holder that I made which stands upright and will hold 3 rolls at a time with room to pick it up at the top to move it around. These should last until I catch another sale.