Towels & Wipes

About Towels & Wipes

Professional towels and wipes are essential consumables for tradespeople, workshops, and commercial environments where cleanliness, hygiene, and efficient clean-up are paramount. Unlike domestic cleaning cloths, industrial-grade towels and wipes are engineered to tackle tough grime, oils, sealants, adhesives, and other stubborn residues that accumulate during construction, maintenance, and fabrication work. Available in various formats including individual sachets, dispensable rolls, and large tub packs, these products combine superior absorbency with chemical resistance to deliver reliable performance across multiple applications.

The range at Tooled-Up includes both dry workshop towels and pre-moistened cleaning wipes from trusted brands such as Big Wipes, Everbuild, Sealey, and Swarfega. Heavy-duty hand wipes feature textured surfaces and specialist cleaning solutions that dissolve paint, silicone, expanding foam, and general workshop contamination without causing skin irritation. Multi-surface wipes extend beyond hand cleaning to tackle worktops, tools, vehicle interiors, window frames, and finished installations, ensuring every job is left looking professional. Many modern formulations are biodegradable, manufactured from sustainable wood pulp fibres, and meet stringent antibacterial and antiviral standards—increasingly important considerations for health-conscious trade environments and client-facing work.

Workshop cloth rolls provide cost-effective bulk cleaning capacity for busy sites and trade vehicles. These blue-roll style towels offer excellent tear resistance and absorbency, making them ideal for mopping up spills, wiping down machinery, and general workshop housekeeping. Dispensing systems and van brackets ensure convenient access whilst keeping wipes protected from contamination, moisture, and damage during transit and storage.

Jargon Buster

• Biodegradable Wipes: Cleaning wipes manufactured from natural fibres such as wood pulp that break down naturally after disposal, reducing environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives.
• Antibacterial/Antiviral Certification: Products tested to European standards (such as EN14476 and EN1276) that demonstrate proven effectiveness in killing bacteria and viruses, essential for maintaining hygienic work environments.
• GSM (Grams per Square Metre): A measurement indicating the density and thickness of wipe material—higher GSM values typically mean stronger, more absorbent, and more durable wipes.
• Blue Roll: Traditional workshop paper towel material, typically supplied in large rolls and coloured blue to distinguish it from domestic kitchen roll—designed for industrial absorbency and strength.
• Pre-Moistened Wipes: Disposable cloths pre-saturated with cleaning solutions, degreasers, or solvents, ready for immediate use without requiring water or additional cleaning products.
• FSC Approved: Forest Stewardship Council certification indicating that wood-based materials originate from responsibly managed forests that meet environmental and social standards.

Who Uses Towels & Wipes?

• Painters and Decorators: Removing paint splashes, cleaning tools, and wiping down surfaces before and after application
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Cleaning flux, solder residue, silicone sealant, and general grime from installations
• Electricians: Maintaining clean hands when working with sensitive electrical components and wiping down finished installations
• Carpenters and Joiners: Removing adhesives, wood dust, oils, and finishes from tools and completed joinery
• Motor Mechanics and Vehicle Technicians: Degreasing hands and cleaning engine components, bodywork, and workshop equipment
• Window Fitters and Glaziers: Achieving streak-free finishes on glass and uPVC and removing installation residues
• Maintenance Engineers: General equipment cleaning and hand hygiene in industrial and commercial facilities
• Site Managers and Contractors: Ensuring clean, professional handovers and maintaining site hygiene standards
• DIY Enthusiasts: Managing workshop cleanliness during home improvement and fabrication projects

How to Choose the Right Towels & Wipes

Application Type: Distinguish between hand cleaning wipes designed to remove contaminants from skin and multi-surface wipes formulated for equipment, tools, and installations. Heavy-duty hand wipes contain skin-safe degreasers and conditioners, whilst surface wipes may include stronger solvents unsuitable for skin contact.

Contaminant Removal: Match the wipe formulation to the materials you regularly encounter. Specialist wipes are available for removing silicone sealants, expanding foam, adhesives, paint, oil, and general grime. Universal cleaning wipes offer versatility for mixed-trade environments.

Pack Format and Quantity: Consider your consumption rate and storage capacity. Individual tubs typically contain 80-100 wipes and suit van-based tradespeople, whilst refill packs and bulk rolls provide economical solutions for established workshops. Tooled-Up.com stocks various pack sizes to match different usage patterns.

Dispensing and Storage: Van brackets and wall-mounted dispensers keep wipes accessible whilst protecting them from damage and contamination. Blue roll dispensers minimise waste through controlled dispensing and suit fixed workshop locations.

Environmental Credentials: Biodegradable wipes manufactured from sustainable sources reduce landfill impact—an increasingly important consideration for environmentally conscious businesses and public sector contracts.

Antibacterial Properties: For food preparation areas, healthcare facilities, or client-facing environments, certified antibacterial and antiviral wipes provide additional hygiene assurance beyond standard cleaning.

Popular Accessories

• Van and Wall Brackets: Secure mounting systems for wipe tubs that prevent spillage and provide convenient single-handed access
• Wipe Refill Packs: Cost-effective replacement wipes for reusable dispensing tubs
• Blue Roll Dispensers: Wall-mounted holders with tear-bar for controlled workshop roll dispensing
• Heavy-Duty Bin Liners: Appropriate waste disposal for used cleaning materials
• Hand Protection Creams: Barrier creams and after-work conditioners to complement hand cleaning regimes
• Tool Cleaning Brushes: Complementary equipment for removing stubborn residues before final wipe-down
• Workshop Aprons and Coveralls: Protective workwear to minimise contamination requiring cleaning

Safety Information

Always review product labels and safety data sheets before using cleaning wipes, particularly when handling pre-moistened products containing solvents or chemical cleaning agents. Whilst hand wipes are formulated for skin safety, individuals with sensitive skin or existing dermatological conditions should wear appropriate gloves or select hypoallergenic alternatives. Avoid contact with eyes—if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with clean water and seek medical advice if irritation persists.

Store wipes in sealed containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight to prevent evaporation of cleaning solutions and reduce fire risk. Dispose of used wipes responsibly in accordance with local waste regulations—certain solvent-saturated materials may require specific disposal procedures under COSHH regulations. Never dispose of wipes down toilets or drains as they can cause blockages even when labelled as biodegradable. Ensure adequate workshop ventilation when using wipes containing volatile solvents, and keep products out of reach of children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use heavy-duty hand wipes on finished surfaces and installations?
Whilst many hand wipes are safe for incidental surface contact, they're primarily formulated for skin use and may not provide optimal results on materials like glass, polished metals, or painted surfaces. Multi-surface wipes are specifically designed for cleaning installations and equipment without leaving residues or causing damage.

Are biodegradable wipes as effective as traditional cleaning wipes?
Modern biodegradable wipes available from Tooled-Up offer comparable cleaning performance to synthetic alternatives. Manufactured from sustainable wood pulp fibres, they provide excellent absorbency and strength whilst meeting antibacterial and antiviral standards. The primary difference is their environmental impact after disposal rather than their cleaning capability.

How long do pre-moistened wipes remain effective once the tub is opened?
Most quality wipes remain effective for several months after opening when the tub is properly resealed after each use. Keep the lid firmly closed to prevent evaporation of cleaning solutions. If wipes begin to dry out, they lose effectiveness and should be replaced rather than re-moistened with water, which dilutes the cleaning formulation.

What's the difference between trade wipes and domestic cleaning wipes?
Trade-grade wipes feature heavier, more durable materials with higher GSM ratings, providing superior strength for abrasive contaminants without tearing. They contain industrial-strength cleaning agents capable of dissolving oils, adhesives, and specialist building materials that domestic products cannot effectively tackle. The larger sheet size also suits professional applications better than standard household wipes.

Can workshop towels and blue roll be recycled?
Once contaminated with oils, paints, solvents, or other workshop residues, paper towels and wipes cannot typically be recycled through standard paper recycling streams. Dispose of used cleaning materials with general waste unless they're contaminated with hazardous substances requiring specialist disposal under COSHH regulations. Unused, clean paper products may be recyclable depending on local authority guidelines.