Paper towels for cleaning glass

cjmst3k

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 25, 2006
Posts
4,414
I've been using Bounty as a firm rule for about 25 years, for cleaning glass. I recall trying Viva once and it just didn't do the job well. I stock up in bulk on Bounty, but has anyone found a different brand which works better, or the same as Bounty which is less expensive? Its not a priority cost reduction concern, but just more of a curiosity. Target has a house brand that seems to be the same thing as Bounty, but I think Bounty at Costco is less than Housebrand at Target.
 
Been using Scott paper towels forever and no problems here.
 
Lint free wipes:

https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-13736/Wipers/Kimwipes-Low-Lint-2-Ply-15-x-17

Slightly higher price from LJ item 28006 called K-dry but its actually now the above product. (shipping LJ vs Uline?)

kimwipes.png
 
I just watched a 7 minute video testing a bunch of types. Bounty worked best for cleaning up, and sparkle did not, however this did look like it was from the 80's, so I'm sure paper towel tech has changed since then. lol
 
Pat, how do those lint free cloths differ from Viva or other paper towels? I think Viva actually has a bit of lint, but I don't recall Bounty or others. Not sure if the options in the UK differ much than here in the states.
 
We went to the fabric store and bought yards of un-sized cotton. We would wash it a few times and then cut it into 12 or 14 inch squares with a pinking shears. They absorbed like crazy and left no lint, and lasted for years. After rotating them through the glass cleaning process [a used rag for the first wipe] we would take them home and wash them. It worked like a charm for over 30 years and we did not have to fill the garbage with used paper towels. You may have to hunt for un-sized cotton but it is out there.
 
I am with Sonny, cotton cloth. I use old cotton sheets and threadbare towels (from my mom) and T-shirts. And they are ecological use.
I agreed with this too- Al
 
We use KimWipes, like Pat posted above. Have some microfiber cloths on hand for when we need to clean acrylic.
 
Pat, how do those lint free cloths differ from Viva or other paper towels? I think Viva actually has a bit of lint, but I don't recall Bounty or others. Not sure if the options in the UK differ much than here in the states.

I've been using them for 23 years, no lint, smooth surface, holds up better than paper towels, completely different, purposely designed paper not cloths. If you have access to LJ, try one box - an inexpensive test. They make it in different sizes for other uses like eyeglass cleaning.
 
Those yellow microfiber cloths from Costco that sell in packs of 36. They should be washed first to remove the lint. The more they're washed, the better.l
 
Am I the only one here who cleans his glass with old-fashioned rags? A well-worn t-shirt or linen sheet always served me quite well and cost next to nothing.
 
Rather than paper towels, I use 100% cotton flour sack towels. These are quite durable, and washable, and last for ages. When they get a bot threadbare you can tear them into smaller pieces for other shop wiping jobs.
:cool: Rick

Thank you for that link Rick!
I have been using the same towels for years. I bought them way back when in Holland and they could be found in the baby articles aisle.
I didn’t know what they were called here. I just ordered.
So many uses for them, not just in the shop.
 
Rather than paper towels, I use 100% cotton flour sack towels.
Thanks for this suggestion, Rick. For many years we used cotton diapers - cheap, absorbent, durable, washable, no lint. I think we still have some in the car-washing-rag pile.

We've been using microfiber towels for about a decade, which work as well. If I were still running a shop, I might go back to using cotton cloths, but the the free microfiber towels from Tru Vue are too good to pass up.

We use Bounty paper towels for dirty clean-ups and frame putty wiping, but they don't work as well as microfiber or cotton cloths for cleaning glass or acrylic. The paper is abrasive enough to scratch acrylic and coated glass. Also, paper towels are more expensive than reusing cloth towels.
 
Not much use me quoting European brands, but I use regular kitchen paper towels. Some are not so
good as they disintegrate when wet but most work fine for me. As long as they don't have a printed pattern.
A local cheapo supermarket chain occasionally have special offers on giant rolls that are 5x standard rolls and
bigger sheets to boot. 2.50GBP a roll. I grab a trolley full when they have them. :D
 
I've used Kimberley-Clark Wyp-All cloths, since I started working for a framer in 1988. They are orange in color and come 80 to a box. We use them, rinse them out and let them dry and then use them again - over and over. When they are too grubby or worn for glass cleaning, I use them as my glue cloths for joining. I think I bought a case about a decade ago and I still have some in the last box. Will re-order again soon.
 
I use the Costco Micro Fiber cloths first and since Micro Fiber isn't really that absorbent I finish and polish with the Costco brand paper towel. I've tried the Scott, Brawny, and a couple of others but I have found the Costco brand to work better than most and they don't cost as much.
 
So with the micro fiber cloths, you just use them over and over again cleaning glass, and they don't smudge?
 
Yup. At some point, wash them to remove the alcohol residue from the Larson spray.
 
I do not use a laundry detergent when washing my micro fiber cloths. My reason is that the laundry detergent leave a slight film on the glass that is time consuming to wipe off. I only use the micro fiber for cleaning glass so they really don't need a detergent, warm water in the long wash cycle works just fine.
 
Just a heads up regarding getting microfibre cloths from Tru Vue... I was planning on ordering more gloves and stickers from Tru Vue the other day and thought it would be great to order some microfibre cloths at the same time. I didn't see them listed with the gloves and stickers, so I contacted Tru Vue and they said they no longer provide the cloths.
 
Our GroGlass distributor just gave us a pile of microfiber cloths.

We use WypAll X30 towels for cleaning glass.
 
If you have a Costco near you go there and pick up their Microfiber cloths. They are much better than what TruVue use to hand out because they are better quality with loop on one side and flat on the other side and much larger. Cost is really good too.
 
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