Scott Disposable Shop Towels: I am wondering if these shop towels would work safely as a replacement for the usual kitchen ones. Not concerned about using them for surface cleanup, but...

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

I am wondering if these shop towels would work safely as a replacement for the usual kitchen ones. Not concerned about using them for surface cleanup, but for wrapping food products to microwave. Might the shop towels have a chemical treatment that would not be in the best interest used in food preparation ? They don’t feel or look to have any chemical additives. I bought a case of 8 boxes (100ct each) and will not come close to using them up in my lifetime - as shop towels. We use a lot of paper towels in food prep; have not run out but also have not been able to purchase any since the hoarding began.
Thoughts/insights?

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Billbobboy42 wrote:

I am wondering if these shop towels would work saf... (show quote)

I can't imagine why a company would put additives in paper towels but rather than ask us who probably know less than you do why not email the Scott company and ask them.

Dennis

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I think most are made to be washed in the washing machine (provided they don't have gas or oil on them) and would come out clean/normal. If they were shipped with some kind of chemical a trip through the washer should alleviate any worries. I have washed and reused the red shop towels/rags myself, but only if they did not have bad stuff from a clean-up (like gas/oil/paint, etc.) and you should be fine. They are normally just cloth, and you could re-use them..

The reason I mention the gas/oil part is because a friend (welder by trade) washed a bunch of gas/oil soaked in the washer and the fumes ignited in his garage when they got to the gas water heater, he had a flash fire/mini explosion, got burned, nearly lost his garage/home if the fire dept. had not been so quick to arrive.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

They do have some sort of chemical in them because they streak windows when you try to clean glass with them. I would not use them in food prep areas. They also don’t absorb spills as well as regular paper towels. They are great for shop work where they are intended to be used because of their strength.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

We use them everywhere around the house and outside. They are disposable (not washable), and from what I can tell on the packaging on mine, there is nothing added to them, except the coloration. I have noticed that when used in conjunction with cleaning agents, the blue color fades away, but doesn't bleed onto the surface I am cleaning.

I have not used them in food storage, but food prep I have for sure.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

olemikey wrote:

I think most are made to be washed in the washing ... (show quote)

These shop towels are paper; I shudder to think how they would fare in a washing machine. Also, they are white.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

johngault007 wrote:

We use them everywhere around the house and outside. They are disposable (not washable), and from what I can tell on the packaging on mine, there is nothing added to them, except the coloration. I have noticed that when used in conjunction with cleaning agents, the blue color fades away, but doesn't bleed onto the surface I am cleaning.

I have not used them in food storage, but food prep I have for sure.

Thanks. I have never seen blue ones; mine are white. Your reply is what I was looking for vice a corporate cya response.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Billbobboy42 wrote:

These shop towels are paper; I shudder to think how they would fare in a washing machine. Also, they are white.

I realized that after I sent. I'm used to using the cloth type for decades..... The paper ones would probably fare about like leaving a cleanex inside your shorts pocket in the wash....little pieces of paper everywhere, and an unhappy washer person!!!!!

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Thanks. I have never seen blue ones; mine are white. Your reply is what I was looking for vice a corporate cya response.

I've never seen the white shop towels from Scott. I did a search and found them online at Office Depot, and guess what? The pictures had the blue towels in them...lol.

I usually grab a six-pack of them at a time. They are so versatile and durable.

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

Billbobboy42 wrote:

These shop towels are paper; I shudder to think how they would fare in a washing machine. Also, they are white.

MY sinuses are nuts most of the year, I use them to blow my nose. I once forgot to check
the pockets and one went thru the washer and dryer(electric). It shrunk some but was still
usable. I also use them when seasoning frying pans.

jayluber Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I keep my nuts safely packed away and out of my head. And use salt and pepper to season my pans - sometimes some oregano and basil.

The shop towels I've used are paper and lint free.

rplain1 Loc: Dayton, Oh.

Go to scottcarcare.com and find different types - white or blue. They don't say anything about treatment but from the text they appear to be untreated as far as chemicals. If there were any chemicals I would think there should be some kind of warning on the package so you wouldn't damage a finished surface (or in this case your stomach lining).

drobvit Loc: Southern NV

jaymatt wrote:

They do have some sort of chemical in them because they streak windows when you try to clean glass with them. I would not use them in food prep areas. They also don’t absorb spills as well as regular paper towels. They are great for shop work where they are intended to be used because of their strength.

👍Bingo!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's a tough call. I don't like anything on my microwave food - not plastic or paper - unless the food comes like that. paper is made through a chemical process, as is plastic.

On the other hand, those tough, blue shop towels can be used as face masks. You can make one in about five minutes with a stapler, tape, and rubber bands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mai-UqdNRi8

goofybruce

I have one of these to cover food in the microwave...Have to use a plate of bowl...but it works great and no worries about chemicals in the paper towel. Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Food Cover With Easy Grip Handle, Dishwasher-Safe, BPA-Free Silicone & Plastic