Anyone who's spent time in a restaurant understands the necessity of having clean linens readily available. From servers wiping down tables to cooks needing a trusty apron, linens are essential to the daily operations of any eatery. The bar mop is one of the most versatile and vital tools. Even if you've never worked in the industry, you've likely noticed bartenders using those familiar striped towels to clean up spills, handle hot dishes, or wipe down counters.

What Exactly is a Bar Mop?

A bar mop is a highly absorbent terry towel, indispensable for quickly managing spills and messes. Unlike standard kitchen towels, bar mops are woven with small loops of dense fibers, giving them superior absorbency. Made from 100% cotton, these towels are available in solid white or with a colored stripe down the center. Many establishments utilize these stripes for color-coding, designating specific towels for different tasks—perhaps blue-striped bar mops for bar use and gold-striped ones for bussing tables.

Choosing the Best Bulk Bar Mops

When selecting bar mops, what's "best" can vary depending on your specific needs. To help you decide, we've categorized our bulk bar mops into three tiers: Good, Better, and Best. These towels are typically purchased in bulk by commercial laundries serving the restaurant industry or by large institutions like hotels and hospitals. For smaller businesses, such as individual restaurants or cafes, bulk purchases might be optional.

Irregular Bar Mops (Good)

Our irregular or IR bar mops are ideal for environments where a quick wipe-and-toss approach is needed. These towels might have minor weaving imperfections but offer great value, especially in places where appearance isn't a top priority, like institutional facilities. They come tightly packed, 100 dozen per bale, and should be washed before their first use to restore their full absorbency.

Value Bar Mops (Better)

These are our Run of Mill (ROM) bar mops, made from excess yarn after producing first-quality mops. ROM bar mops are cost-effective and available in various popular stripe colors. Though they may have slight imperfections, these towels are reliable and durable, making them a solid choice for everyday use. Like IR bar mops, they are packed 100 dozen per bale and should be washed before their initial use.

Route Ready Bar Mops (Best)

Route Ready bar mops are a step above the rest, designed for immediate use without the need for pre-washing. These mops are soft-packed in bundles of 25, offering significant time savings in commercial laundry settings. Laundries can save at least 70¢ per dozen by skipping an entire wash cycle, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks. Optically bright white and ultra-absorbent, Route Ready bar mops are available with various color stripes.

Caring for Your Bar Mops

To maximize the lifespan of your bar mops, proper washing and drying are essential. All toweling, including bar mops, can be washed together; however, it's critical to separate white towels from colored ones. Pre-treat stains with alkaline solutions to break down grease, but remember to rinse thoroughly to neutralize the alkalinity before use. During drying, keep bar mops separate from heavier items like bath towels. Over-drying can lead to greying, as dry terry loops attract particles from the air, causing discoloration.

How Long Do Bar Mops Last?

Due to their heavy use and frequent commercial washing, bar mops tend to have a short lifespan. They typically endure 5-7 wash cycles before needing replacement. Factors like improper use or overexposure to harsh cleaning environments can shorten their durability, making it important to monitor their condition regularly.

Can Bar Mops Be Used at Home?

While primarily designed for commercial use, bar mops are versatile enough for home applications. Many restaurant employees take bar mops home for personal use. We offer premium retail-ready options for those interested, including our Qwick Wick bar mops, sold by the dozen, and our Sloppy Chef utility towels, available in 6-packs.