The problem with bath towels is that they hold too much dirt and debris which in turn can scratch a guns finish after they are used a few times and are not nearly as soft as Flannel. They are also hard to determine when to toss whereas Flannel is smooth, soft and thin enough to be able to see the condition of the material. Flannel is also thin enough to get into the small areas and crevices.

At the local Fabric Store I paid $18 for 5 yards x 1 yard = or 45 square feet. If you cut that into 18" x 18" rags, it makes up into 20 individual rags - cheap enough. Basically they are under $1 each! I also use Pinking Shears when cutting them to keep them from fraying.