Swab-its

What Swab-its does

Swab-its is a US-based manufacturer of precision foam swabs and cleaning applicators operated by parent company Super Brush LLC from its headquarters at 800 Worcester Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. The company produces lint-free foam swabs in multiple head geometries (square, rectangular, circular, teardrop, spear, flexor) and lengths from 2" to 14", organized into trademarked product lines for distinct verticals: Bore-tips®, Gun-tips®, Bore-Whips™, Bore-Sticks™, and Star Chamber AR™ for firearms maintenance; Nano-tip™ micro swabs for fiber optics; BAC5000-approved swabs for aerospace; printer cleaning swabs; engine assembly and powertrain swabs; dental/medical sterile applicators; tube cleaning systems; pre-saturated swabs; and retail kits for consumer use.

The underlying technology is mechanical rather than digital: foam-tipped applicators engineered to be lint-free, reusable, solvent-compatible, and safe on delicate surfaces, with platform-specific fit (e.g., AR-15/M4 star chamber geometry, 1.70mm fiber optic tips) and regulatory compliance (BAC5000 NO FOD). The company makes money through three primary revenue streams: direct e-commerce sales via swab-its.com to consumers and businesses in 100+ countries, wholesale/case pricing programs for firearm dealers and retailers, and retail kit sales through Amazon and marketplaces. Pricing spans $7 individual swabs to $260 bulk 500-pack bags and $25–$40 cleaning kits, with enterprise purchase orders available on net terms.

Customer segments are deliberately diversified across three primary verticals (firearm, printing, aviation/aerospace) and four secondary verticals (engine assembly, dental/medical device manufacturing, consumer retail, fiber optics/electronics). The company operates as a privately held LLC with 101–250 employees, no institutional funding, and a "Made in USA" positioning that supports regulated-vertical and domestic-sourcing buyers. Distribution combines direct storefront, wholesale dealers, marketplace presence, and enterprise net terms; marketing runs through a company blog, YouTube, and broad social media presence.

Name

Swab-its

Legal name

Swab-its

Website

https://swab-its.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Swab-its, operated by Super Brush LLC, manufactures and sells lint-free precision foam swabs and applicators from Springfield, MA, serving firearm, printing, aerospace, medical, and industrial cleaning markets via direct e-commerce, wholesale dealers, and retail kits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Cleaning Swabs

NAICS

Cutlery and Handtool Manufacturing (3322)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Surface Preparation & Abrasive Blasting (Sand/Grit/Shot/Waterjet) (IMAIAKAC)

Keywords

• Foam swab manufacturing
• Precision cleaning applicators
• Firearm cleaning supplies
• Industrial cleaning swabs
• Lint-free applicators

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Products sold directly to consumers and businesses through swab-its.com website, with prices ranging from $7 to $260+ per unit or bulk packaging
2. Wholesale/Dealer Sales: Bulk case pricing for firearm dealers, retailers, and clubs through dedicated wholesale pages and case dealer pricing collections
3. Retail Kit Sales: Pre-packaged cleaning kits for retail sale including car care, printer care, pet care, craft & hobby, and household applications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Swab-its designs, manufactures, and sells lint-free foam swabs and precision cleaning applicators for firearms, industrial, printing, aviation/aerospace (BAC5000 approved), dental/medical, automotive, electronics/fiber optics, and consumer applications. The portfolio spans 2" to 14" swabs in multiple head geometries (square, rectangular, circular, teardrop, spear, bulb, flex) under proprietary trademarks including Bore-tips®, Gun-tips®, Bore-Whips™, Bore-Sticks™, Star Chamber AR™, Nano-tip™, and Bench Buddies®. Sales are made through a direct e-commerce site, a wholesale firearm dealer program, business purchase orders with net terms, and retail/consumer cleaning kits.

Product overview

Swab-its is a manufacturer of precision foam swabs and applicators sold as a unified portfolio of cleaning solutions. The core product line consists of industrial-grade lint-free foam swabs in various head styles (square, rectangular, circular, bulb, teardrop, flexor tip, spear tip) and lengths ranging from 2 to 14 inches. The product family is organized by application: Industrial Foam Swabs for general manufacturing/maintenance, Firearm Cleaning products including Bore-tips®, Gun-tips®, Bore-Whips™, Bore-Sticks™, and Star Chamber AR™ for firearms maintenance, Printer Cleaning Swabs for print equipment, Aviation/Aerospace BAC5000-approved swabs, Engine Assembly/Powertrain swabs, Automotive Detailing swabs, Sterile Applicators for medical/cleanroom use, Tube Cleaning/HydraClean systems, Pre-Saturated Swabs, Fiber Optic Nano-tip™ swabs, and Retail Cleaning Kits for consumer markets. The company also produces specialty applicators like Bench Buddies® and pet care swabs. All products are designed for reusability, solvent compatibility, and lint-free performance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bore-tips: 360° foam swabs for precision barrel cleaning in firearms
• Gun-tips
• Bore-Whips
• Bore-Sticks
• Star Chamber AR
• Bench Buddies
• Nano-tip

Products and services

• Bore-tips® Barrel Cleaning Swabs 360° foam swabs designed for patchless firearm barrel cleaning, providing full-contact lint-free cleaning across calibers from .17cal to 12ga for firearm owners, gunsmiths, and retailers.
• Gun-tips® Lint-Free Gun Cleaning Swabs Lint-free foam swabs designed specifically for firearm maintenance, cleaning gun actions, chambers, and hard-to-reach firearm components for firearm owners and gunsmiths.
• Bore-Whips™ Pull-Thru Gun Cleaning Pull-through style cleaning swabs for firearm barrels, designed for multi-pass cleaning and debris removal from gun bores, used by firearm owners and air rifle shooters.
• Bore-Sticks™ One-Piece 3-in-1 Cleaning Tool All-in-one bore cleaning tools combining brush, swab, and applicator functions in a single foam-tipped tool for efficient firearm maintenance by firearm owners and gunsmiths.
• Star Chamber AR™ Cleaning Swabs Specialized foam swabs designed specifically for AR-15/M4 Modern Sport Rifle (MSR) star chamber cleaning, engineered for the unique geometry of AR platform bolt carriers and used by firearm owners, gunsmiths, and armorer personnel.
• Industrial Foam Swabs (General Use) Precision-engineered lint-free foam swabs for industrial cleaning, deburring, and precision application across manufacturing and maintenance operations, offered in head styles (square, rectangular, circular, bulb, teardrop, flexor tip) and lengths from 2" to 14".
• Printer Cleaning Swabs Lint-free foam swabs designed for printer and print head maintenance, including thermal printer, platen, and print head cleaning to remove ink, dust, adhesive residue, and paper fiber contamination for commercial print shops and office equipment managers.
• Aviation and Aerospace Swabs (BAC5000 Approved) NO FOD (Foreign Object Debris/Damage) compliant foam swabs meeting BAC5000 specifications for aviation and aerospace applications, providing certified low-lint precision cleaning for commercial and military aviation maintenance operations.
• Sterile Foam Tipped Applicators Sterile foam-tipped applicators for medical, pharmaceutical, and cleanroom applications requiring contamination-free sampling and surface contact by medical and pharmaceutical buyers.
• Engine Assembly & Powertrain Cleaning Swabs Industrial foam swabs designed for engine assembly and powertrain maintenance, featuring extra reach and durability for cleaning machined surfaces, oil passages, and assembly components in automotive and industrial manufacturing.
• Automotive & Car Care Swabs Foam swabs designed for automotive interior detailing and cleaning, available in various sizes for dashboards, vents, console crevices, and delicate electronic components for consumer and detailing buyers.
• Dental Lab and Mold Cleaning Swabs Precision foam swabs for dental laboratory and mold cleaning applications, designed for removing residue, debris, and contaminants from dental equipment and molds for dental lab technicians and medical device manufacturers.
• Fiber Optic Cleaning Swabs (Nano-tip™) Ultra-precision foam swabs featuring Nano-tip™ technology with micro foam tips as small as 1.70mm for cleaning fiber optic connectors, SFP modules, and sensitive electronic interfaces for fiber optic installers and electronics manufacturers.
• Electronic Cleaning Foam Swabs Anti-static foam swabs designed for cleaning electronic devices, circuit boards, sensors, and delicate electronic components without generating static discharge, for electronics manufacturers and technicians.
• Tube Cleaning Swabs Lint-free foam swabs designed for cleaning tube interiors, hydration systems, and narrow cylindrical openings in medical and industrial applications.
• HydraClean Tips (Hydration Tube Cleaning Kit) Specialized tube cleaning system for hydration packs and water bottles, featuring foam tips designed to scrub interior surfaces and remove biofilm, marketed to outdoor and consumer hydration users.
• Pre-Saturated Foam Swabs Foam swabs pre-saturated with cleaning solvents (including IPA) for ready-to-use precision cleaning applications, eliminating the need for separate solvent application in industrial, electronics, and firearm maintenance.
• Retail Cleaning Kits Multi-piece foam swab kits packaged for retail sale, including specialty kits for car care, printer care, pet care, face painting, craft & hobby, and household applications for consumer buyers.
• Craft & Hobby Foam Swabs Precision foam swabs designed for craft, hobby, and artistic applications including painting, blending, and detailed surface work for consumer hobby and craft users.
• Bench Buddies® Foam Applicators Original foam applicators designed for DIY, workshop, and general precision cleanup tasks, featuring flexible foam tips for controlled application and cleaning for workshop, hobby, and precision cleanup users.
• Pet Care and Vet Tech Foam Swabs Specialized foam swabs designed for pet care and veterinary technology applications including grooming, wound care, and precision cleaning tasks for pet owners and veterinary technicians.
• Firearm Cleaning Kits Pre-assembled multi-piece cleaning kits for rifles, handguns, and shotguns, including appropriate Bore-tips sizes and additional cleaning accessories, sold direct to firearm owners and through wholesale dealers.
• Firearm Case Dealer Pricing Bulk case pricing for firearm retailers and dealers, including pre-packaged multi-bag cases of Star Chamber, 12ga, 9mm, and 22cal Bore-tips products for wholesale distribution.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lint-free performance eliminates fiber contamination
• +1 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ITW (Illinois Tool Works): Diversified industrial manufacturer with multiple segments serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial cleaning markets. Broadly comparable to Swab-its in industrial cleaning and aerospace end-markets, though operating as a much larger diversified portfolio rather than a swab specialist.
• Q-tips (Unilever): Mass-market consumer cotton swab brand owned by Unilever. Overlaps with Swab-its in the consumer swab category but competes from a different technology angle (cotton vs. foam) and at significantly broader retail scale.

Direct peers

• Puritan Medical Products: Manufacturer of sterile swabs and applicators for medical, diagnostic, and industrial markets. Directly comparable to Swab-its in foam-tipped applicator technology and multi-vertical distribution into healthcare and cleanroom end-markets.
• Real Avid: Manufactures firearm cleaning tools, gun disassembly mats, and armorer kits for the shooting sports market. Comparable to Swab-its' firearm cleaning kits in targeting the DIY firearms maintenance customer through retail and e-commerce.
• Foamtec International: Manufactures foam swabs, wipers, and cleaning products for cleanroom, semiconductor, and industrial applications. Closely comparable product platform to Swab-its, particularly in fiber optic and electronics cleaning niches.
• Texwipe: Specializes in cleanroom swabs, wipers, and contamination-control products for semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Directly overlaps with Swab-its' lint-free industrial and sterile swab portfolio serving precision cleaning end-users.
• Helix Medical (Freudenberg Medical): Manufactures medical device components including foam-tipped applicators for diagnostic and pharmaceutical customers. Comparable to Swab-its' sterile foam applicator line serving medical and cleanroom end-users.
• Birchwood Casey: Long-established manufacturer of firearm cleaning, maintenance, and shooting accessory products. Directly comparable to Swab-its' firearm cleaning swab kits and Bore-tips® product line in the same channel.
• Berkshire Corporation: Producer of cleanroom swabs, wipers, and contamination-control products for life sciences and industrial markets. Comparable in serving regulated end-markets that demand lint-free, precision cleaning consumables similar to Swab-its' sterile and aerospace offerings.
• Otis Technology: Specializes in firearm cleaning systems, kits, and accessories for military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters. Directly comparable to Swab-its' Bore-tips®, Gun-tips®, and firearm cleaning kit portfolio serving the same end-market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Swabits
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/swabits
• Facebookfacebook.com/swabits
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swab-its-hobbies-and-crafts
• Instagraminstagram.com/boretips
• Pinterestpinterest.com/swabits
• TikToktiktok.com/@swabitssuperbrush

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Swab-its