Clean your tools with Dawn dish soap?

[rlitman]

I've been throwing my tools in a cuda (hot water parts washer) after every really dirty job for more than a few years now with no ill effects or rust. Ratchets included. No air tools or cordless stuff though.

I would use cascade rather than Dawn though. I know Dawn does a great job of removing oil gunk from birds after an oil spill but, I've had great success over the years flushing cooling systems out that had DEXCOOL/Oil Sludge in them with Cascade.

Interesting point. Dawn is a non-ionic surfactant. Pure detergent.
Cascade (and most dishwashing detergents) include sodium-metasilicate. That's stronger acting in a hot water parts washer for sure. Too strong to use on your bare skin though (unlike Dawn).

 

[kctyphoon]

Interesting point. Dawn is a non-ionic surfactant. Pure detergent.
Cascade (and most dishwashing detergents) include sodium-metasilicate. That's stronger acting in a hot water parts washer for sure. Too strong to use on your bare skin though (unlike Dawn).

That, and the fact that cascade probably won't fill up the room with soap suds using it in a machine like dawn can..

 

[Danglerb]

Dawn really cuts grease and oil, but like anything water based that does that surfaces can rust immediately. I blow off with compressed air and hit it with Marvel Mystery Oil.

WD40 is my generic quick and easy cleaner for most tools.

 

[Danglerb]

Cascade will etch glass if you don't have enough grime for it to work against.

 

[rlitman]

Cascade will etch glass if you don't have enough grime for it to work against.

The current Cascade formulation sold by me is phosphate free, ever since the phosphate ban went into effect. Not sure how it is outside of New York.

Yes, pre-ban, most dishwasher detergents used tri-sodium-phosphate. TSP does indeed etch glass if left on for long enough.
The phosphate free variety uses sodium-metasilicate, which can also damage glass if allowed to dry on it, but does not etch glass, metal and plastic as aggressively.

Not applicable to hand washing, but in a machine where the water temperatures are significantly hotter, Cascade Complete, includes enzymes that help it break down stuff even better. The issue though is that enzyme cleaners only work well within a relatively narrow band of temperatures.