Terry (towel cloth)
Terry comes from bath towels and sheets. It's thick, looped and holds a lot of liquid. It's the pick for oil, grease, water and big spills.
T-shirt (jersey)
Jersey comes from T-shirts and knitted cotton clothing. It's thin, soft and flexible, and low-lint. It's the all-purpose rag: hands, tools, surfaces, everyday cleaning.
Comparison
| Terry | T-shirt | |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | Thick | Thin |
| Absorbency | Very high | Good |
| Softness | Medium | High |
| Best for | Oil, grease, water, spills | Hands, tools, surfaces, polishing |
White or colored?
Colored ($32 per 25 lb bag) handles almost everything. White ($42) leaves no dye: use it for paint, wood stain, varnish and light-colored surfaces.