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Then & Now: From Old T-Shirts to Recycled Wipes

When Wray Bros started in the early 80s, we didn't think about brand strategy or environmental reports. We were thinking about something much simpler: how to make something useful out of what already existed. And so, old clothes from Oxfam became cleaning rags and waste became resource. A small act of reuse started a business.

While our tools, products, and technologies have changed, the principles from our early days remain. Care, quality, and common sense are still at the heart of what we do.

Cleaning & Janitorial News

5 min read

October 17, 2025

Reuse Before Sustainability Had a Name

In the early days, turning old textiles into cleaning wipes wasn’t called “eco-friendly” it was simply practical. But looking back, it was our first step into sustainability.

Every rag we made was given a second life. Nothing went to waste. That approach seemed small at the time, but it set the tone for how we would operate in the decades to come.

From Stronger to Smarter Cleaning

Back then, cleaning was about power, the stronger the chemical, the better the result. A heavy-duty solution applied to every surface, no matter the space, was the standard.

Now, the approach has changed. Today, cleaning is about precision, safety, and sustainability. Customers expect products that work effectively, minimise environmental impact, and keep people safe.

Wray Bros has switched from traditional bulk chemicals to eco-friendly concentrates and Hygiene Bombs. Smarter cleaning means better results for people, buildings, and budgets.

From Workwear to Workforce Wellbeing

Over the years, we’ve also seen a shift in how businesses think about their team's workwear and PPE. Employees need protection, comfort, and recognition in their roles. What started out as preventative has shifted into a real sense of care and wellbeing.

Our workwear and PPE ranges have evolved accordingly. Designers now create protective clothing for comfort, performance, and identity.

Our products help businesses protect their teams. They also help create a professional image. This includes high-visibility clothing for construction sites, hygienic uniforms for healthcare, and branded workwear for hospitality.

The work we do helps people do their jobs safely and confidently. That focus on care for people is just as important today as it was in the early days of the company.

From Local Deliveries to Digital Support

In the 80s, our business was built on personal relationships. They made deliveries in person, often on a first-name basis. That personal touch remains a core part of Wray Bros.

How we connect with our customers has changed. We use technology to help businesses get what they need faster and more efficiently. From online ordering to digital product sheets, we make it easy. We also provide training content and offer virtual support whenever you need it.

What’s Changed and What Hasn’t

A lot has changed over 40 years. Products, materials, technologies, and expectations have all evolved. But some things remain constant: we believe that cleaning and safety should always rely on care, quality, and common sense.

We’ve learned that sustainability is more than a trend, it’s a way of thinking about everything we make, use, and supply. And we’ve seen that the simplest ideas, like giving old materials a second life, can have the biggest impact.

We are Wray Bros.

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