Guess what’s ON your
‘clean’ rental rag?

Gradient Corporation studies have found contaminants on supposedly clean laundered rental rags that include:
  • lead
  • Cadmium
  • Iron
  • Antimony
  • Oil
  • Grease
  • Zinc
  • Toluene
  • Xylene
Residual oils and chemicals can also be present that can cause skin rashes. Residual metal shavings can be present that can injure faces and hands. A big part of the problem is that rental rags used with hazardous chemicals and waiting to be laundered are supposed to be separated into their own bags away from other used rental rags. This does not always happen and the result is that all of the rags are washed together and exposed to rags used for hazardous chemicals. Sellars® disposable shop towels are not only clean out of the box, they’re up to 400 times more absorbent than most rental rags. They’re also strong and can last thru several rounds of use.
Compare Rental Rags Disposable Shop Towels
How clean are they when you receive them
 Metal shavings, oils and hazardous chemicals can be present on ‘clean’ laundered rental rags presenting both possible hazards to health and the possibility of machinery getting snagged Clean out of the box every time, can be used multiple times before discarding, easy to dispose of
Are there any hidden charges?
 As many as 6 additional charges: damage fee, energy charge, delivery charge, replacement fee, environmental/fuel surcharge fee No hidden cost with disposable shop towels
How absorbent are they?
 The absorbency, strength, and size of the laundered shop towel can diminish the more it is laundered Shop towels can absorb up to 400% more than one standard 13¨x13¨ laundered shop towel.
What are the standard sizes?
 The standard 13”x13” size of the shop towel can diminish to 12¨x12¨ the more it is laundered. Shop towels are available in a wide variety of sizes and dispensing options depending upon your needs.

Determining the real costs of rental rags

So you’re paying a set usage fee per towel? It doesn’t usually end there. You can also have environmental charges, replacement charges and more.
*Sample cost only, actual costs may vary

The additional fees can increase your overall cost of the shop towel by as much as 25% or more.

Hidden Charges Add Up...

As many as 6 additional charges are involved with laundered rental rag services besides the actual fee for the towel:
  • Damage fee
  • Energy charge
  • Delivery charge
  • Replacement fee
  • Environmental/fuel surcharge fee

What You Should Know About Exposure To Heavy Metals

As mentioned above, Gradient Corporation studies have found contaminants on supposedly clean laundered rental rags that include heavy metals known to cause cancer or kill aquatic life. Contaminants like lead, cadmium, iron, antimony, oil, grease, zinc, toluene and xylene have a well-earned reputation for contributing to a wide range of health issues. You just don’t have much if any way of knowing whether a
previous user of your laundered rag improperly returned it contaminated with hazardous waste. Below are some general signs and symptoms of exposure to a few of the heavy metals that have been found in laundered rental rags. (Please note this is a general list of signs and symptoms of exposure to these heavy metals and no specific signs or symptoms listed are being implied to be linked to rental rags).
Lead

Acute Exposure: Nausea, vomiting, encephalopathy (headache, seizures, ataxia, obtundation) Chronic Exposure: Encephalopathy, anemia, abdominal pain, nephropathy, foot-drop/ wrist-drop1

Cadmium
Acute Exposure: Pneumonitis (oxide fumes)

Chronic Exposure: Proteinuria, lung cancer, osteomalacia1

Iron

Acute Exposure: Vomiting, GI hemorrhage, cardiac depression, metabolic acidosis Chronic Exposure: Hepatic cirrhosis1

Xylene

Acute Exposure: headache, fatigue, irritability, lassitude, nausea, anorexia, flatulence, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and motor incoordination and impairment of equilibrium. Flushing, redness of the face, a sensation of increased body heat, increased salivation, tremors, dizziness, confusion, and cardiac irritability have also been reported. Chronic Exposure: conjunctivitis; dryness of the nose, throat, and skin; dermatitis; and kidney and liver damage.2

Zinc

Acute Exposure: MFF (oxide fumes); vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain (ingestion) Chronic Exposure: Copper deficiency: anemia, neurologic degeneration, osteoporosis1

The above listed heavy metals and signs and symptoms of acute and chronic exposure are meant for general information only. These are GENERAL reported signs and symptoms of acute and chronic exposure to a few of the heavy metals that can be present in rental rags. As such NO specific sign or symptom listed here is being presented as linked specifically to rental rags.