Losing Your Rag

[jimbur]

I'm not going to mention a particular outlet as they seem to have had more than their fair share of flak lately.
However, I decided to look at some french polishing supplies specifically pure cotton rag. Liberon have 500gm packets. Australian store - $40, Ebay store $14. Even with postage it works out at half-price.
I know all the arguments for such pricing (use it or lose it etc) but I still lose my rag especially when I would still have to pay postage to the Australian store as well.

[Master Splinter]

But you'll find that difference is all explained when you add the $1.40 GST to the overseas purchase. $14.00 + $1.40 = $40

Thanks for teaching me that math, Gerry Harvey!!

[bsrlee]

Most of the 'cotton' rags being sold in Australia have about as much cotton in them as a house brick. Prime example of this is the bags of 'cotton' rags being sold by the Big Green Box, allegedly from some charity I have not otherwise heard of - so far every rag I have pulled out has been obviously some sort of synthetic, just about zero absorbancy and really nasty feel to them.

So much for supporting 'local industry/charities', the attitude seems to be 's#$%w you'.

[Master Splinter]

Is this where I admit that I have pulled 'rags' from my rag bag and started wearing them again as they were too good to throw out????

[jimbur]

Here we are on Tuesday and the stuff from the ebay store has arrived. Five days isn't bad from the UK.

[tea lady]

Most of the 'cotton' rags being sold in Australia have about as much cotton in them as a house brick. Prime example of this is the bags of 'cotton' rags being sold by the Big Green Box, allegedly from some charity I have not otherwise heard of - so far every rag I have pulled out has been obviously some sort of synthetic, just about zero absorbancy and really nasty feel to them.

So much for supporting 'local industry/charities', the attitude seems to be 's#$%w you'.

The lack of absorbancy might be cos they are not washed yet. As in "new" fabric. Which has sizing on it. Like you have to wash new towels and sheets before use cos the sizing stops water absorption. But I do agree that some of that so called cotton is not.

Now a whole bunch of you knows why you need to wash towels.

[tea lady]

Here we are on Tuesday and the stuff from the ebay store has arrived. Five days isn't bad from the UK.

From the UK for rags? A bunch of t-shirts from the op shop could have worked.

[jimbur]

From the UK for rags? A bunch of t-shirts from the op shop could have worked.

True, but I did order other stuff too and it's getting increasingly difficult to guarantee 100% cotton these days.
ps have just thrown away a lot of useless op-shop rags. Also it gets embarrassing reading labels and having ladies come up to help you find your size.

[tea lady]

Overheard in kMart undies department.

Hubby to wife - "You need to buy more undies cos I have worn out the others."

[jimbur]

Overheard in kMart undies department.

Hubby to wife - "You need to buy more undies cos I have worn out the others."

Nothing is sacred anymore. Even knickers often don't seem to be 100% cotton. Don't the manufacturers keep woodworkers in mind?

[Doggie]

Most of the 'cotton' rags being sold in Australia have about as much cotton in them as a house brick.

"Fine Cotton" maybe.

[issatree]

Hi Jimbur,
I have used my old worn out Singlets & my worn out Underpants for years, & my finish seems to work out pretty good.
Surly there must have been some where closer than the UK.
Could have bought, or been given Pure Cotton from the QLD. Farms where it is grown.
That's my 2sence worth.

[jimbur]

Hi Jimbur,
I have used my old worn out Singlets & my worn out Underpants for years, & my finish seems to work out pretty good.
Surly there must have been some where closer than the UK.
Could have bought, or been given Pure Cotton from the QLD. Farms where it is grown.
That's my 2sence worth.

I've done the same for years but this time they weren't satisfactory 'glazing' on the surface and not allowing the french polish to flow. I thought I'd try the Liberon products and it led on from there. They are fine but I agree it doesn't make much sense but nor do many of our imports.

[wheelinround]

Sadly the best source of rag's other than your own used clothing.

Charity shops were stopped from making and creating them due to AIDS and other infestations being passed on even after proof of the cleaning they went through, workshops around screamed for them to be allowed back sadly it didn't happen.

If the big green shed is selling charity rags I havent noticed them.

Then again I use my old T-shirts, cotton sox, cotton and wool blend sox, old trackies synthetic fleece type found excellent for polishing and applying some not all finishes. As well as micro fibre shirts wives blouses etc.

Oh I forgot to mention cotton sheets now there's a damn good source single bed will give you small amount queen or king size almost triple that. These are mainly besides old cotton or drill jeans where charity shops got their supplies from.

[Avery]

From first hand experience in opshopsaround here...

Donated clothing etc. goes a to a regional sorting centre. The clothes are sorted into two lots

A: clothes good enough to be resold in their shops to raise cash (a lot of this stuff is really good)

and

B: the rest

This is baled up and sent to , would you believe, New Guinea. From there I have no idea whathappens to it.



Bunnings do sell "bags of rags" ,but I have never seen any charity attribution.