What is the Correct Spelling Baling Wire or Bailing Wire?

The correct spelling is baling wire, although if you search for bailing wire online, you'll get near enough the same results. This is because the two spellings have become somewhat (incorrectly) interchangeable, and many companies still refer to it as bailing wire. Baling and bailing are known as homophones, two words that have separate meanings, yet they sound exactly the same. Bear in mind, however, that currently, Google will suggest the correction of baling wire if you search instead for bailing wire. There is also no difference in the product that the words are describing, so one type of wire will not differ in function from another simply because of the name. The term bailing usually refers to either the releasing of a prisoner on bail, bailing out a bank or an institution (providing it with money to keep it afloat), or to leaving an area (informally). Baling, on the other hand, often refers to the bundling of goods, the primary function of what baling wire is used for. As a noun, a bale describes a tightly packed bundle of materials like hay, cardboard, or scrap metal. To find out more, you can check out this blog post on bailing wire vs baling wire.

Do You Have a Wire Gauge Chart to Choose the Correct Size?

Gauge refers to the thickness of a wire. Gauges operate on an inverse scale, which means the smaller the gauge number, the larger the circumference of the wire. Typically, baling wire starts at around 9 gauge, and can go all the way up to the incredibly thin 35-gauge variety. Choosing the right type of baling wire can be tough if you don’t know what to look for, yet it’s essential if you want to ensure maximum quality and functionality. You can find a reliable wire gauge chart by clicking here. You can find a wide range of different gauge baling wire online, but if you’re not sure which one will work best, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer of your baling machine; they should be able to give you advice on which size go for. For paper, it’s worth going for a lighter gauge, like a 14, but for tougher materials like plastics, you’ll probably need to go as low as 12. It’s worth noting that the properties of the wire can differ based on whether they’re galvanized or annealed, even if they’re the same gauge. Remember that it’s crucial to check your baler’s specifications before you start using the wire, as it may have limitations as to what gauge you can use.

Which Wire is Best for Cardboard Baling?

Generally, you'll want to use either an 11, 12, or 13 gauge wire for baling cardboard. The 11 gauge wire is the thickest and, therefore, more suited to packing denser bales. It is important to consider your baler, however, as this will likely determine the type of wire that you'll need. This can differ between make and model, and there will likely be a users manual that will have the right info. If not, you could always call up the manufacturer and ask them directly. You wouldn't want to risk damaging your baler by using the wrong materials with it. For example, a smaller vertical baler that generates smaller bales may need a smaller gauge, like a 14. In contrast, a horizontal baler that operates at a larger scale may require an 11, even though you're baling the same material. Cardboard baling wire is usually very tough, no matter the gauge, so the main point to concern yourself with is whether or not your chosen type of wire is compatible with the machine you're using. It's worth noting that this can vary extensively, so make sure you find the right wire for your specific machine and the type of material you hope to bale.

What is baling wire used for?

Baling wire is used to secure waste and scrap materials into neatly manageable bundles, making them easier to transport. It's perfect for aiding waste management in the recycling industry, and cutting down on wastage in general, no matter the area of work that you're in. Baling wire can come in many different forms, for example, galvanized baling wire is exceptionally strong and durable, and it's able to withstand the harsh conditions of the recycling process with ease. Galvanized baling wire is strong enough to survive being submerged into a molten liquid for some time, making it suitable for the galvanization of other types of metal. Black annealed baling wire is developed using the annealing process, a cycle of carefully measured heating and cooling, which is what gives it the increased level of ductility and elongation. Baling wire can be threaded through a baling machine to secure the scrap or waste material, or it can be tied by hand, as it's incredibly ductile, making it an extremely versatile material and an essential one in the recycling and agriculture industries. Baling wire has long been regarded as a fix-all type of material, so it's always handy to have some around the workspace.

Why is it called baling wire?

It's called baling wire because it refers to the job it's used for, securing bales of scrap material like hay and cardboard. The word bale might have its roots in the old Germanic language, relating to ball. Bales are the bundles of material compressed in a baling machine, and the wire is what binds this material together, holding it in place for easier maneuverability. Baling wire has been used extensively since the 1800s (this is likely when the term began gaining widespread popularity), but it's come a long way since then in both form and function. From humble origins, baling wire has become a critical material in the recycling and agricultural industries, largely due to the phenomenal rise of modern machinery like advanced baling machines and tractors.The words baling wire are often interchanged (incorrectly) with bailing wire, yet searching for either term on Google will likely still send you to the right place. By galvanizing either stainless steel or iron wire, manufacturers can make baling wire tougher than ever before. This process involves submerging the wire in a molten metal coating (usually zinc) in order to make it more durable and corrosion resistant. Baling wire can also be developed using the annealing process, which is when the wire is exposed to a cycle of heating and cooling over time.

What kind of wire is baling wire?

Baling wire is ultra-strong, highly durable, galvanized steel or iron wire. The galvanization process refers to the act of hot dipping (submerging) stainless steel or iron wire in a bath of molten zinc.The resulting metallurgical reaction causes the zinc to bond with the steel, creating a protective coating, enabling it to withstand erosion with ease. This process enables the baling wire to become exceptionally resilient and able to resist even the harshest weather and wear and tear for extensive periods of time. You can also find baling wire in the form of black annealed wire, an incredibly sturdy and versatile material that's created using a meticulous cycle of heating and cooling, causing it to increase in ductility for maximum ease of use. You can find out more about the properties of this wire here. Due to its many unique properties, including its ability to stand up to harsh conditions, baling wire is essential in the recycling and agricultural industries, and it's generally found in any type of baling application, include office recycling. Its main purpose is to secure bales (compact bundles of waste and scrap material) and hold them in place, making them easier to store, handle and transport, greatly aiding the waste management process.

How much does a bale of clothes sell for?

A 500-lb clothes bale sells for about $775 or $1.55 per pound. But per-pound rates range from $0.08–$3.00 per lb based on grade, quantity, and market. What you earn depends on whether your bale goes to resale as secondhand apparel or to recycling for fiber recovery.

We’ll break down the market rates for secondhand clothing bales and scrap/fiber bales, plus the drivers, risks, and how bale integrity and quality baling wire protect your margin.

The difference between clothes resale and scrap

Scrap and resale markets offer wildly different prices for bulk clothes.

Resale clothing bales are full of used garments that are still wearable (to some degree). They are destined for resale, thrift operations, export markets, consignment, or domestic resale. Buyers value condition, brand, style, color, and sorting. These bales command higher per‑unit prices when well sorted, clean, and presentable.
Clothing scrap, fiber, and rag bales are garments that are unsuitable for resale (damaged, stained, torn, off‑grade) or cut/shredded textile waste. Their value is based on fiber content (cotton vs synthetic), cleanliness, and downstream recyclability (insulation, wiping rags, stuffing, industrial uses). Prices are lower and more dependent on bulk commodity demand.

Garment quality (resale vs scrap) largely determines the price range you can expect to get per bale.

Secondhand clothing bale prices

Bale grade	Average weight	*Price (USD/lb)	Average bale price
Unsorted bulk export	1,250 lb	$0.20–$0.24	$275
Small sorted	100 lb	$0.90–$1.25	$108
High-quality sorted designer mixes	100 lb	$1.50–$3.00	$225
Resale listings (eBay, small lot sellers)	50 lb	$2.00	$100

*Average prices as of 2025

Sources

Scrap clothes bale prices

Bale grade	Average weight	*Price (USD/lb)	Average price per bale
Rag	1,000 lb	$0.32–$0.80	$320–$800
Recycling	100–1,000 lb	$0.20–$0.85	$20–$850
Industrial	100–1,000 lb	$0.30–$0.85	$30–$850

*Average prices as of 2025

Sources

Price factors you can control

Whether you're selling to a reuse buyer or a textile recycler, these key factors determine where your bale lands in the price spectrum:

Grade, condition, sort: Clean, intact, well-sorted clothes (no odors, stains, rips) fetch premium prices. Mixed, heavily damaged, or unsorted lots get discounted.
Material: 100% natural fibers (cotton, linen) are more valuable. Synthetics or blends may limit downstream uses. Different types of recyclable clothes have varying fiber content and recyclability properties.
Bale density, integrity: A densely compressed, stable bale costs less to ship and causes less damage. Loose, shifting, or partially broken bales trigger price deductions.
Volume, buyer relationship, contract terms: Larger, consistent shipments and long-term contracts get better margins.
Demand: Pricing fluctuates with fiber commodity demand, macro conditions, and trade patterns.

Sorted, clean, well-packed bales of in-demand clothes sold to regional buyers net the best profit.

Baling wire selection for clothes

Properbaling wire selection impacts the structural integrity and density of your clothing bales, affecting their market value and transportation costs.

Wire gauge requirements by weight

The load strength of your baling wires must exceed the bale's weight to prevent breakage. Use these wire gauge recommendations and consult your baler manufacturer's guidelines to get the right wire gauge for your clothes bales:

Clothes bale weight	3-wire baler	4-wire baler
Under 500 lb	12 gauge	13 gauge
500–1,000 lb	11 gauge	12 gauge
1,000–1,500 lb	10 gauge	11 gauge
1,500–2,200 lb	9 gauge	10 gauge

Best baler wire types for clothing bales

Black annealed wire is the preferred choice for clothing and textile recycling operations. The annealing process improves ductility and elongation properties, allowing the wire to stretch up to 25% to accommodate shifting materials as bales settle.

Single-loop bale ties work with manual balers and can be tied to different lengths to accommodate multiple bale sizes. We offer black annealed and galvanized options. 12 gauge galvanized single-loop bale ties provide excellent corrosion resistance for bales that may be stored in humid conditions or for extended periods.

Baler compatibility

Different balers work optimally with certain wire types:

Vertical balers: Use single-loop or double-loop bale ties for manual tying operations
Horizontal balers: Accommodate box wire or stem wire for automatic tying
Two-ram balers: Require high-tensile wire to handle dense, heavy bales

Common price deductions

Most deductions can be avoided through proper handling, processing, baling, and shipping. Buyers will offer lower rates for these reasons:

Contamination: Dirt, moisture, and non-textile pieces that degrade the bale after shipment.
Broken bales: Re-baling, re-sorting, or loss.
Poor appearance: If bales look messy or unstable, buyers apply margin buffers.
Seasonal or trend shifts: what's in demand changes (e.g., winter items lose value in summer).
Sortingcost: The buyer may discount you to cover the downstream sorting cost.

Protecting against deductions is part of packaging your bale for maximum return. Another way to protect your investment and get the best price for your bales is to use high-quality baling wire.

How better baling wire helps

Many value deductions happen from physical damage or instability. High-quality wire helps you:

Minimize bale breakage and shifting
Maintain compression and density
Use less wire
Reduced handling risks

With the right wire, your bales reach their destination in excellent shape.

Buy the best wire for clothes bales

At Baling Wire Direct, we manufacture the world's best baling wire using 100% American steel from family-owned mills. Every wire undergoes rigorous quality control testing and meets ASTM standards. Our products deliver the strength, consistency, and reliability that clothing recyclers depend on to maintain bale integrity and maximize returns.

When your operation demands wire that won't break under pressure, choose the proven performance of American manufacturing.