Sellars Absorbent Materials

About Sellars Absorbent Materials

Few American manufacturers can trace their origins from a Milwaukee garage to a fully integrated, multi-facility operation with over four decades of continuous innovation. Sellars Absorbent Materials was founded in 1985 by John Sellars and has grown into one of the country's leading producers of shop towels, disposable wipers, and industrial absorbent products — all proudly made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What sets Sellars apart from the competition is a deep commitment to sustainability backed by real technology. The company developed and patented its proprietary DRC (Double Re-Crepe) process, a manufacturing technique that enhances the strength, absorbency, softness, and bulk of paper-based wipers. Crucially, Sellars has mastered producing high-quality DRC wipers from recycled input — a feat that has earned them recognition as one of only two manufacturers of DRC towels in the entire world, and the first to make a DRC wiper from up to 90% recycled fiber.

Sellars sells its products under three trusted sub-brands: TOOLBOX®, the go-to choice for automotive and industrial professionals; Clean Task®, engineered for reliable light- to medium-duty commercial wiping; and Mayfair®, focused on towel and tissue applications. Whether you need a rugged blue shop towel to tackle engine grease, a pop-up box wiper for a manufacturing line, or a spill containment boom for a marine environment, Sellars has a purpose-engineered solution.

The brand's shop towels and disposable wipers are a staple in automotive repair shops, manufacturing facilities, and DIY garages across North America. The TOOLBOX® Blue Shop Towels — made with 60% recycled fiber — are widely recognized for their superior absorbency and cloth-like durability. The patented Big Grip® Dispenser, introduced in 2014, was designed to keep wipers dry in wet environments while making them easy to transport from job to job, a practical innovation that mechanics and tradespeople immediately appreciated.

Beyond wipers, Sellars' absorbents and spill control products serve industries ranging from automotive and marine to heavy manufacturing. The EverSoak® and DuraSoak® lines offer absorbent pads, socks, and booms engineered to handle oil, water, and chemical spills quickly and safely. Sellars absorbent booms were notably deployed during the Deepwater Horizon disaster cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico — a testament to the real-world reliability these products deliver under extreme conditions.

With over 20 U.S. patents, 33 international patents, and a culture of continuous improvement, Sellars has secured partnerships with major national retailers and a loyal following among industrial distributors across North America and Europe. For shops, facilities managers, and professionals who demand dependable performance and want to support sustainable manufacturing, Sellars Absorbent Materials delivers on both counts.