Our Story: How Old Textiles Became High-Quality Industrial Wiping Rags

Sometimes, the best ideas arise from a simple question.

Our story begins in 1979.

At that time, our family business was involved in sorting used clothing. Large quantities of textiles passed through our hands daily. Many garments could be re-worn. However, a significant portion was too worn out for that.

And it was precisely then that we asked ourselves an important question:

What actually happens to textiles that are no longer wearable?

For us, it quickly became clear:
The incineration of clothing shouldn't be the only solution.

The Idea: Turning Old Textiles into High-Quality Wiping Rags

In many households, there has always been a simple and clever solution:
Old cotton clothes were cut into wiping rags.

And there are good reasons for this. Cotton has excellent properties for cleaning tasks:

• especially absorbent

• soft yet durable

• ideal for oil, grease, water, and dirt

• long-lasting and reusable

Another advantage: Used cotton fabrics have already been washed multiple times. This opens up the fibers and significantly increases absorbency.

That's why used cotton textiles are often better than new fabrics when it comes to cleaning and industrial use.

Our idea was therefore obvious:

Why burn valuable textiles when they can still be turned into high-quality industrial wiping rags?

Thus began our journey into the production of sustainable wiping rags for industry, trades, and workshops.

From Family Business to Online Shop for Industrial Wiping Rags

For many years, we delivered our industrial wiping rags made from recycled textiles directly to businesses.

In 2004, Elke took the next step and founded Putzlappenshop.de. This made it possible for our industrial wiping rags to be ordered online throughout Germany for the first time.

What originally began as a solution for textile recycling evolved into an online shop for high-quality wiping rags, supplying customers from various industries.

Today, companies from all over Germany order their industrial wiping rags online from us.

Two Generations – One Passion for Good Wiping Rags

Since 2012, Selina has also been an integral part of Putzlappenshop.

Together, we stand behind our shop and every single box of wiping rags that leaves our warehouse.

Our many years of experience help us to offer the right industrial wiping rags for every application.

Because depending on the application, different materials are needed:

• soft cotton wiping rags for sensitive surfaces

• durable industrial wiping rags for workshops and machinery

• highly absorbent rags for oil, grease, and liquids

Our goal is simple:

To provide the right wiping rag for every application.

Quality is Our Top Priority for Wiping Rags

Our industrial wiping rags are regularly inspected to ensure consistently high quality.

We pay particular attention to:

• high absorbency

• careful sorting of textiles

• clean and high-quality materials

• consistent quality standards

This ensures that our customers receive reliable and durable wiping rags for daily use.

Sustainable Wiping Rags Through Textile Recycling

Sustainability is an important part of our corporate philosophy.

By reprocessing unwearable textiles into wiping rags, we actively contribute to resource conservation.

Our work helps to:

• reduce textile waste

• continue to use valuable raw materials

• extend the lifespan of materials

Thus, old clothing is transformed into a product that is used daily in industry, trades, and workshops.

Industrial Wiping Rags from Experience – For Over 40 Years

Today, we supply our wiping rags throughout Germany to many industries, including:

• workshops

• craft businesses

• industrial companies

• cleaning companies

• production facilities

Our conviction has remained the same since 1979:

Good wiping rags must be absorbent, reliable, and sustainable.

And that's what we stand for.

Elke and Selina
from Putzlappenshop