The Elusive Lint Free Cloth Rag

Published by Mike on January 25, 2021January 25, 2021

Most books and websites tell you to “use a lint-free cloth rag” when hand rubbing a finish. I wish they would tell you where to find this magical cloth. I imagine it’s a bit like finding the fountain of youth… pretty elusive. I’ve come to accept that nothing is truly lint-free. I’ve tried old tee shirts, painter’s rags, various fabric from craft stores, and many others. The results have been lackluster. (That said, let me know if you’ve found something that works well for you!)

I do a fair amount of woodworking and am very particular when it comes to the quality of my finishes. At one point, I used to exclusively apply finishes with a brush. But over time I’ve come to appreciate the ease and beauty of a hand-rubbed finish.

My lint-free cloth rags

The blue Scott Original Shop Towels consistently perform for me. As it says on the packaging, these towels are strong and absorb finish well. They’re durable and, while not 100% lint-free, they are very the best that I have found.

I’ve used these towels with polyurethane, linseed oil, shellac, and tung oil, to name a few. All types of finishes work well so long as they are not sticky and viscous (such as linseed oil in cold weather). These towels also work well while cleaning glass.

Excellent, but not indestructible

Despite their durability, these towels will eventually break down with use. Periodically keep an eye on the condition of the towel while you are finishing your project. Shift to a different part of the towel, or grab a new one, if you start to see it break down. Going over sharp corners on your work will degrade these towels faster than flat surfaces. I find that softening the edges of my work, even just a little, prior to finishing ensures a longer life.

Cut, don’t tear

If you find that the size of the towels is too large for your finishing work, I recommend that you cut a small stack of them in advance with some sharp scissors to give a nice clean edge. These towels are thick and they don’t tear evenly or easily. If you want a lint-free finish, be disciplined and don’t finish your work with torn towels…cut them cleanly.

Where to buy them

I’m convinced these are the closest things you’ll find to a lint-free cloth rag. However, finding a place to buy these towels locally can be a bit hit or miss. Check the big home improvement stores, auto parts stores, or equipment rental places. Or like so many other things in life, you can easily pick them up on Amazon.