Towels & Wipes

About Towels & Wipes

Professional towels and wipes are essential consumables for tradespeople, workshop environments, and industrial settings across the UK. Whether tackling grease, oil, paint, adhesives, or general grime, having the right cleaning solution to hand makes the difference between a quick clean-up and a prolonged scrubbing session. From heavy-duty industrial wipes that cut through the toughest substances to antibacterial multi-surface cleaners that maintain hygiene standards, this category offers specialised cleaning solutions designed for demanding work environments where water and traditional washing facilities aren't always available.

Modern trade wipes have evolved far beyond simple paper towels. Today's professional cleaning solutions include solvent-impregnated wipes that dissolve silicone and expanding foam, antibacterial formulations for food preparation areas and healthcare settings, and heavy-duty cloth materials engineered to withstand tough scrubbing without tearing or disintegrating. Available in convenient formats including tubs, dispensers, buckets, and rolls, these products deliver effective cleaning performance whether you're working on site, maintaining machinery, or organising your workshop or van.

Tooled-Up.com stocks trusted brands including Everbuild Wonder Wipes, Big Wipes, Sealey, and Swarfega, all designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional use. Whether you need antibacterial hand wipes for COSHH compliance, heavy-duty workshop cloths for machinery maintenance, cotton rags for polishing and finishing work, or multi-purpose cleaning wipes for general site applications, you'll find products suited to every trade requirement and budget.

Jargon Buster

• Solvent-Impregnated Wipes: Cleaning wipes pre-moistened with specialist solvents designed to dissolve stubborn substances such as adhesives, sealants, expanding foam, paint, bitumen, and oil without requiring additional cleaning products or water.
• GSM (Grams per Square Metre): A measurement indicating the thickness, density, and durability of the wipe material. Higher GSM values generally mean stronger, more absorbent wipes that resist tearing during heavy-duty cleaning tasks, whilst lower GSM products suit lighter applications.
• Antibacterial Formulation: Wipes containing agents that kill or inhibit bacteria growth, essential for maintaining hygiene standards in food preparation areas, healthcare settings, and environments requiring compliance with health and safety regulations including COSHH.
• Lint-Free Cloth: Specialist cleaning material that doesn't leave fibres or residue behind, crucial for precision work such as glass cleaning, polishing, decorating preparation, and automotive finishing where stray fibres would compromise results.
• Biodegradable Wipes: Environmentally responsible cleaning wipes manufactured from natural materials like wood pulp that break down naturally after disposal, reducing environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives whilst maintaining professional cleaning performance.
• Dispenser Compatible: Wipes designed to work with wall-mounted or portable dispensers, allowing controlled, single-sheet dispensing that reduces waste, prevents contamination, and keeps cleaning materials organised and accessible in workshops or commercial vehicles.

Who Uses Towels & Wipes?

Professional towels and wipes are indispensable across numerous trades and industries:

• Mechanics and Auto Technicians: Removing oil, grease, brake fluid, and other automotive fluids from hands, tools, and work surfaces throughout the day
• Decorators and Painters: Essential for cleaning paint spills, removing sealants, wiping down surfaces before application, and general site clean-up
• Joiners and Carpenters: Cleaning adhesives, removing excess filler, maintaining tools, and general workshop maintenance between jobs
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Particularly useful for cleaning flux, sealants, and keeping hands clean when moving between customer properties
• Electricians: Maintaining clean work areas, removing cable lubricants or adhesives, and presenting a professional appearance on customer sites
• Factory and Warehouse Staff: Regular cleaning of machinery, workstations, and maintaining hygiene standards in industrial environments
• Facilities Maintenance Teams: Multi-surface cleaning across commercial and industrial premises, from office spaces to production facilities
• Construction Site Workers: Quick hand and tool cleaning without access to traditional washing facilities on active building sites
• Vehicle Fleet Operators: Keeping vans, tools, and equipment clean and professional-looking for customer-facing work
• Food Service and Catering: Antibacterial surface cleaning to maintain hygiene standards and comply with food safety regulations
• DIY Enthusiasts: Home workshop maintenance, project clean-up, and tackling household maintenance tasks

How to Choose the Right Towels & Wipes

Consider the Contaminant Type: Heavy industrial grease and oil require solvent-based heavy-duty wipes, whilst general cleaning and surface preparation work well with multi-purpose options. For silicone, expanding foam, and adhesives, specialist solvent-impregnated wipes like Everbuild Wonder Wipes are specifically formulated to dissolve these challenging substances. Standard cleaning wipes suit lighter dirt and dust removal.

Hand Cleaning vs Surface Cleaning: Hand wipes often contain skin conditioners and moisturisers to prevent drying and cracking with repeated use, whilst surface wipes may contain stronger solvents unsuitable for direct skin contact. Always check whether products are designed for hand use or surface cleaning only, and read the manufacturer's guidance. Big Wipes produce dedicated ranges for both applications with appropriate formulations.

Material Strength and Absorbency: Workshop cloths and heavy-duty wipes with higher GSM ratings provide better durability for tough cleaning tasks without tearing or falling apart. Cotton rags offer excellent absorbency for oil and liquids with traditional performance, whilst synthetic materials may provide superior chemical resistance and consistent texture. The Scott Blue workshop cloth roll available from Tooled-Up offers reinforced construction for demanding workshop environments.

Dispensing Format: Consider your working environment when selecting packaging. Tubs with resealable lids prevent wipes drying out and suit workshop benches perfectly. Wall-mounted dispensers keep wipes accessible and organised in fixed locations. Portable buckets suit site work and mobile applications, whilst rolls allow you to tear off precisely the amount needed for each task, reducing waste.

Antibacterial Requirements: If you work in food preparation areas, healthcare settings, or environments with strict hygiene protocols, ensure wipes meet relevant antibacterial standards and comply with COSHH regulations applicable to your industry. Big Wipes Antibacterial Multi Surface range offers certified antiviral and antibacterial performance for professional hygiene compliance.

Environmental Considerations: Biodegradable options made from FSC-approved wood pulp fibres offer environmentally responsible cleaning without compromising performance. These wipes break down naturally after disposal, reducing environmental impact whilst maintaining the effectiveness required for professional applications.

Quantity and Value: Bulk formats and larger tub sizes typically offer better value for high-usage environments like busy workshops or construction sites. Calculate your approximate daily or weekly usage to determine the most cost-effective purchasing option without products drying out before use. Monster and Giant Wonder Wipes formats provide excellent value for heavy users.

Popular Accessories

• Wall and Van Brackets: Mounting solutions for wipe tubs and dispensers, keeping cleaning materials accessible and organised in workshops and commercial vehicles. Big Wipes produce dedicated brackets compatible with their 80-wipe tubs.
• Waste Bins and Disposal Bags: Proper disposal containers for used wipes, particularly important for solvent-soaked materials requiring safe disposal in accordance with HSE guidelines
• Protective Gloves: Nitrile or latex gloves for extended cleaning tasks or when using strong solvent-based products to protect skin from repeated exposure
• Hand Cleaners and Barrier Creams: Complementary skin care products including Swarfega workshop hand cleaners and protective barrier creams for before work application
• Surface Sanitisers: Additional cleaning products and disinfectants for comprehensive hygiene protocols in food preparation and healthcare environments
• Microfibre Cloths: Reusable cleaning cloths for final polishing and finishing work, complementing disposable wipes for complete cleaning solutions
• Dispenser Stations: Dedicated areas with integrated wipe dispensers for systematic tool maintenance and organised workspace management
• Hand Moisturisers: After-work hand care products to restore moisture and prevent skin damage from repeated cleaning throughout the working day

Safety Information

When using professional cleaning wipes, always read and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions printed on the packaging. Solvent-based wipes should be used in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes, and are not suitable for use on skin unless specifically designed and labelled as hand wipes. Check the product label to ensure compatibility with the surface you're cleaning, as some solvents may damage plastics, painted surfaces, or certain finishes.

Used wipes, particularly those contaminated with solvents, oils, or flammable substances, should be disposed of properly in accordance with HSE guidelines and COSHH regulations. Do not leave solvent-soaked wipes in enclosed spaces or near ignition sources, as they may present a fire hazard. If you experience skin irritation when using hand wipes, discontinue use immediately and consult the product safety data sheet. Always wash hands thoroughly after extended use of cleaning wipes, and consider applying barrier cream before work and moisturiser afterwards to prevent skin damage and dermatitis.

Store wipes in sealed containers away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent drying out and maintain cleaning effectiveness. Keep all cleaning products out of reach of children and ensure appropriate PPE is worn when required by the product guidelines. For antibacterial wipes, follow any specific contact time requirements to ensure effective sanitisation of surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use heavy-duty workshop wipes on my hands?
Only if they are specifically designed and labelled for hand use. Many industrial-strength wipes contain solvents too harsh for direct skin contact and may cause irritation or dermatitis. Look for products explicitly marketed as hand wipes, which typically include skin conditioners and moisturisers. Brands like Big Wipes and Swarfega produce dedicated hand cleaning wipes safe for repeated skin contact throughout the working day.

How long do wipes stay effective once the container is opened?
This varies by product and storage conditions, but most quality wipes remain effective for several months if the container is properly resealed after each use. Ensure the lid clicks shut completely to prevent evaporation of the cleaning solution and moisture. If wipes feel dry, brittle, or less effective at removing contaminants, they may have exceeded their useful life and should be replaced.

Are antibacterial wipes necessary for workshop environments?
Whilst not always legally required in standard workshops, antibacterial wipes are beneficial for maintaining hygiene, particularly if multiple people share tools and equipment. They're essential in food preparation areas, healthcare settings, and anywhere COSHH regulations mandate specific hygiene standards. They also provide added protection when minor cuts or abrasions are present on hands, reducing infection risk.

What's the difference between Wonder Wipes and standard cleaning wipes?
Everbuild Wonder Wipes are specifically formulated to tackle particularly stubborn substances that standard wipes struggle with, including uncured silicone, expanding foam, adhesives, bitumen, and construction chemicals. They contain specialist solvents that dissolve these materials effectively, making them invaluable for decorators, builders, and anyone working with sealants. Standard cleaning wipes suit lighter applications like general dirt and dust removal.

Can I use trade wipes to clean electrical equipment?
Exercise caution when cleaning electrical equipment with any wipes. Ensure devices are unplugged from 240v mains power and allow sufficient drying time before reconnection. Some solvent-based wipes may damage plastic housings or leave conductive residues. For sensitive electronics, use wipes specifically designed for electrical equipment or consult the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations to avoid damage or safety hazards.