Shop Rags - Cleaning
- Thread starter 38 Special
- Start date
Boy, you are just a regular class room monitor aren't you?
No Uncle Buck, I don't try to do the Moderators job for them. I just try to inject some common sense and rational thought into the subject. If you can figure out the solution to a problem it isn't that much more effort to be considerate of others. We do share this big blue ball with other people after all (unfortunately) and the less strife in it, the better for all concerned.
IDASHO
Well-known member
Vernmotor
Well-known member
Yea I got a washer and dryer in mine shop..buy them used cheap
Vernmotor
Well-known member
you can see them in this pic
OP
38 Special
Well-known member
Thanks for all the replies. I had not thought about pre-washing them in the garage before going to the home washer. I also did not think of running the last load through again to help clean the washer. I also will not dry them, but that was not her complaint, guess I was lucky there. I will also call a couple of local laundrymats to see if they have a "work clothes" or soiled washing machine.
If I used a washing machine at the laundrymat for normal clothes, I would feel obligated to clean it out for the next person. If I have to do that, it had might as well be the one at the house and save a stack of quarters.
Thanks for all the replies.
If I used a washing machine at the laundrymat for normal clothes, I would feel obligated to clean it out for the next person. If I have to do that, it had might as well be the one at the house and save a stack of quarters.
Thanks for all the replies.
nate379
Banned
I just throw them in the washing machine. Just clean out the tub afterwards with some paper towels and simple green. Don't have a wife to ***** about stuff and if I did I'd tell her to STFU anyhow. 
I try not to use rags for nasty stuff like axle grease, etc. If I do, I throw those out.
I try not to use rags for nasty stuff like axle grease, etc. If I do, I throw those out.
Last edited:
I have three classifications of shop rags.
The first class is the ones that aren't too dirty and can be washed out and reused. Used to wipe my hands during an oil change or wipe down tools before they're put away. They eventually get to...
The second class - which are rags that are too dirty to wash but too clean to toss out yet. They live in my used rag pile and get grabbed when I need to wipe up bigger oil stains and greasy stuff. Those eventually become...
The third class - the ones that are nasty and aren't worth the trouble to clean. They just get tossed. They are used for the nastiest, dirtiest jobs and aren't worth the time and effort to clean.
So eventually they all get tossed out, but they go through all three stages before they get there.
My standard birthday/Christmas present from my kids is packs of red shop rags. They're cheap and they know I'll use them.
The first class is the ones that aren't too dirty and can be washed out and reused. Used to wipe my hands during an oil change or wipe down tools before they're put away. They eventually get to...
The second class - which are rags that are too dirty to wash but too clean to toss out yet. They live in my used rag pile and get grabbed when I need to wipe up bigger oil stains and greasy stuff. Those eventually become...
The third class - the ones that are nasty and aren't worth the trouble to clean. They just get tossed. They are used for the nastiest, dirtiest jobs and aren't worth the time and effort to clean.
So eventually they all get tossed out, but they go through all three stages before they get there.
My standard birthday/Christmas present from my kids is packs of red shop rags. They're cheap and they know I'll use them.
-B-
Well-known member
Clean the washing machine out with Tang run it through a full cycle also works well for dishwashers and disposals.
Sooo, after all this--does anyone know what "Grandma's Lye Soap" those uniform outfits use on their rags??
I don't wash rags, just keep them going until they reach stage "3" as above then toss them. But I do ocassionally wash those cotton gloves, many, many times in a bucket/Tide/plunger before I'd think of using the washing machine.
I had laundromats and used to curse anyone bringing any of that kind of stuff. Wiping out the washer might look OK, but there is the outer tub still full of goo. Only thing worse was a guy that made his own quarters.
I don't wash rags, just keep them going until they reach stage "3" as above then toss them. But I do ocassionally wash those cotton gloves, many, many times in a bucket/Tide/plunger before I'd think of using the washing machine.
I had laundromats and used to curse anyone bringing any of that kind of stuff. Wiping out the washer might look OK, but there is the outer tub still full of goo. Only thing worse was a guy that made his own quarters.
jamesemery728
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 961
Funny/Odd story. After high school I started working in a book printing company in my home town (46 years ago). The place was full of red rags. The first pressman that I worked with told me, "don't ever wipe your face with those red rags". When I asked why he told me that the local perfume factory that employed women only used those rags also and the women used them for Everything. This kind of soured my perspective on using red rags for anything. Now I just use the blue disposable towels like a lot of others.
+1
Gotta love people with no scruples.
Make that +2. I never ceases to amaze me how people are only concerned for themselves... the rest of the human population be damned.
A little common courtesy towards our fellow man is about the only thing separating us from the apes. I would NEVER wash a load of greasy shop rags in a public washing machine unless they had a machine designated for that specific purpose. To do so is simply being a self-centered thoughtless jerk. Sometimes we need to think of others and who might be using that washing machine after is and realize it might be difficult or impossible to know someone had just washed a bunch of grease stained towels in it.
Besides - what is their option? Eventually smoeone has to use that machine, and that means someone could potentially suffer from ruined clothing. Either that or the laundromat has to pay to clean the machine or run it through several cycles empty to try and remove the residue. Either way I guess it doesn't matter so long as we got our rags clean right?
Just remember karma is a *****.
Last edited:
Uncle Buck
Banned
Make that +2. I never ceases to amaze me how people are only concerned for themselves... the rest of the human population be damned.
A little common courtesy towards our fellow man is about the only thing separating us from the apes. I would NEVER wash a load of greasy shop rags in a public washing machine unless they had a machine designated for that specific purpose. To do so is simply being a self-centered thoughtless jerk. Sometimes we need to think of others and who might be using that washing machine after is and realize it might be difficult or impossible to know someone had just washed a bunch of grease stained towels in it.
Besides - what is their option? Eventually smoeone has to use that machine, and that means someone could potentially suffer from ruined clothing. Either that or the laundromat has to pay to clean the machine or run it through several cycles empty to try and remove the residue. Either way I guess it doesn't matter so long as we got our rags clean right?
Just remember karma is a *****.
Boy, glad that ain't me he's talkin bout!
2 weekends ago I got a box of Kimberly Clark's new WYPALL* Red Shop Towels, and I have to say I was impressed for "throw away" rags they work great, I need to clean the oil off of a bunch of DOM tubing and 1 9x16" sheet cleaned 60' of tubing without tearing or coming apart, It was a dirty rag when I was done but still usable.
Since then I have found I like them better then cloth rags the are lint free and very absorbent.
Since then I have found I like them better then cloth rags the are lint free and very absorbent.
redneckprofessor
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2007
- Messages
- 104
That's exactly what I do. Washed hands and important stuff get the clean ones, tools and dirty stuff get the slightly soiled ones. Oil drain plugs and oil filters, greasy gears, ugle stuff in general get the ones that are hardly red anymore. After that, they get thrown out. I am lazier than I am a penny-pincher, so I buy new ones about once or twice a year.
I would strongly recommend against keeping a pile of oily rags in a "to be cleaned" pile. Fire hazard, and I am not sure when I'll get the gumption to actually wash them, so they might stick around too long. My oily rags get laid out on the edge of the milk crate I keep the clean ones in.
SportFury59
Well-known member
I use paper now but a few years back when I was using rags I would wash them in my cement mixer. Worked good.
nate379
Banned
I have had no problem washing them in my home washer.
My Mom washed my Dad's work clothes (he's a mechanic) in a Kenmore washer for 20 years until they upgraded to a front loader. My brother or sister has that washer now and it still works great.
His work clothes were often more dirty than shop rags! 1 cup of Simple green, plus soap washed on hot with extra rinse and sometimes it would have to get washed an extra time.
Same washer that washed all our clothes (5 of us)
The worst I have dealt with was a ring around the tub and a bit of oil on the agitator but it cleans off easy enough. Throw a load of white in it after and it's sparkling clean.
My Mom washed my Dad's work clothes (he's a mechanic) in a Kenmore washer for 20 years until they upgraded to a front loader. My brother or sister has that washer now and it still works great.
His work clothes were often more dirty than shop rags! 1 cup of Simple green, plus soap washed on hot with extra rinse and sometimes it would have to get washed an extra time.
Same washer that washed all our clothes (5 of us)
The worst I have dealt with was a ring around the tub and a bit of oil on the agitator but it cleans off easy enough. Throw a load of white in it after and it's sparkling clean.
Last edited:
sberry
Banned
Paper towels are one of the worlds great inventions, right up there with Styrofoam cups from Sams Club at 20.00$ a thousand. A little attn while working and its a rare day I get very dirty.
sberry
Banned
I have seen people that just about cant seem to help covering themselves in grease, one of my guys tends to want to get it all over, so much easier to clean it first, wipe up before getting it all over every tool you use.
independentrider
Banned
Harbour Freight has 50 of the red shop towels or $10.00 get enough to last awhile. when they get dirty bring them to the laundry mat and wash them together. wont stain your other clothes and wont mess up your washing machine.
independentrider
Banned
lets all hold hands and sing we are the world. And Rbrtawhte you of all people must be a horrible cop for suggesting using a public machine. you should have your badge pulled along with your fingernails. Dont they do phsycological exams for you people?
CamarosRus
Well-known member
First of all I'm a bachelor and dont have to ask or make excuses to my wife.
First of all I soak really oily greasy rags first in my garage laudry tub, to get some of the bad heavy stuff eliminated. You could use 5 gal buckets etc with simple green or ???
I then run one or more times in my upright washing machine with hot water and TIDE or something else good.
After completing I wipe out any remaining "grease" ring in washer tub.
I then wash dark colored blue/black jeans, car towels or the like. This always along with maybe a little more handwork cleans the tub.
Subsequent washing and use of bleach also cleans the agitator.
Again, I dont have a wife to keep happy about destroying her machine, (that I paid for),
but I do understand your situations..............
First of all I soak really oily greasy rags first in my garage laudry tub, to get some of the bad heavy stuff eliminated. You could use 5 gal buckets etc with simple green or ???
I then run one or more times in my upright washing machine with hot water and TIDE or something else good.
After completing I wipe out any remaining "grease" ring in washer tub.
I then wash dark colored blue/black jeans, car towels or the like. This always along with maybe a little more handwork cleans the tub.
Subsequent washing and use of bleach also cleans the agitator.
Again, I dont have a wife to keep happy about destroying her machine, (that I paid for),
but I do understand your situations..............
Uncle Buck
Banned
To each his own, I clean up after myself just fine and do not leave a mess for those that follow, so yep, I will keep taking my rags to the local laundry mat sorry if that offends a few of you.
madjack
Well-known member
The local coin op laundry has heavy duty washers set aside just for work clothes and such around here. Works great with OxiClean
JebNY
Well-known member
Can't believe all the people that need neat little square rags that need to be washed. I hit the local rummage sales on the last day when they sell clothes for $1/bag. I go in and pick clothes that feel like they would make good rags and stuff the sacks. It is fun because women will try and help you by suggesting something that would go good with an item they saw you put in your bag.
I then spend an hour or so once or twice a year and cut them up. First cut out all zippers, studs and buttons, then slice them up in to rags. I find a hunting knife works well but I picked up a cable cutter something like this a few years ago and it does a faster job.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990567000P?keyword=cutter
You can cut a fairly large wad of material at a time.
You get good at picking the best spots to cut to get the best use of different kinds of clothing. I keep a 20 Gal cardboard barrel in the corner for my clean rags. I keep another barrel in a storage area for uncut rags, besides the rummage sale all worn out clothes generated in the household goes in that barrel. I also use paper towels when appropriate for the job.
A lot less time and money spent making new rags than buying the fancy ones and cleaning them.
Jeb
I then spend an hour or so once or twice a year and cut them up. First cut out all zippers, studs and buttons, then slice them up in to rags. I find a hunting knife works well but I picked up a cable cutter something like this a few years ago and it does a faster job.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990567000P?keyword=cutter
You can cut a fairly large wad of material at a time.
You get good at picking the best spots to cut to get the best use of different kinds of clothing. I keep a 20 Gal cardboard barrel in the corner for my clean rags. I keep another barrel in a storage area for uncut rags, besides the rummage sale all worn out clothes generated in the household goes in that barrel. I also use paper towels when appropriate for the job.
A lot less time and money spent making new rags than buying the fancy ones and cleaning them.
Jeb
Uncle Buck
Banned
I used cast off clothes for years, I still do from time to time if I find the right kind of fabric. As for washing rags, I do not wrench daily so one round at the laundry mat will clean enough rags to last me 3-4 years because I have several hundred of them, so a few hours spent that will cover me for that long is not very time consuming to my thinking.
speed bump
Well-known member
I use old shirts or towels or socks and sometimes sheets for rags. About once a year or so I throw out the worst ones and take the rest to work and wash em.
Dragster Racer
Well-known member
My race car has a required "diaper" that after a 6 season had become a bit oil soaked. These things are big and heavy, and your home washer just won't survive. I use the large capacity one at the laundry mat with some purple oil cutter and some detergent. Does a nice job. Then, I run a load as I am leaving with just the oil cutter and detergent. I do check to make sure there aren't any chunks or streaks before.
I don't think that the objection to attitude was that they poster uses the laundry mat for greasy rags. It was the attitude that he really doesn't care what is left behind and what it does to other people's property. These big machines are used for wedding dresses and large comforters often. How would you feel if something like that was ruined because you just didn't care. I guess you were just taking your chances? The attitudes shown in this section just blow my mind sometimes. "The rest of the world can clean up after me. My employer owes me. If it fills up the landfill, tough stuff. Why should I care about people who use a laundry mat?" I don't expect people to be saints. But if everyone starts treating everyone else like an a-hole, then we end up with a society of a-holes. The rest of the world already things we are a country of self centered cry babies. In some cases, I think they are right.
I don't think that the objection to attitude was that they poster uses the laundry mat for greasy rags. It was the attitude that he really doesn't care what is left behind and what it does to other people's property. These big machines are used for wedding dresses and large comforters often. How would you feel if something like that was ruined because you just didn't care. I guess you were just taking your chances? The attitudes shown in this section just blow my mind sometimes. "The rest of the world can clean up after me. My employer owes me. If it fills up the landfill, tough stuff. Why should I care about people who use a laundry mat?" I don't expect people to be saints. But if everyone starts treating everyone else like an a-hole, then we end up with a society of a-holes. The rest of the world already things we are a country of self centered cry babies. In some cases, I think they are right.
Gary S
Well-known member
Same here. I have never washed a shop rag. I rip up all the throwaway clothes and towels from the house. I use them until they are dirty, and then they go in the garbage. I can't see throwing away good clothing, buying shop towels, and when spending more money washing them.
RbrtAWhyt
Well-known member
OP
38 Special
Well-known member
$6.01 at Sams club, why bother with cleaning?:
Out of 4 Sams, 3 did not have it and the 4th was $11.90.
I and others tried, once, something like that on a cross-Oregon bicycle ride ( not Cycle Oregon). We gave our opinion to the organizer and next year, that washer was gone. Another great idea in theory, did not work in practice.
http://www.raglady.com/ is where I get my rags. I use terry cloth for kitchen grease. When dirty, and the bag is full, they go to the laundry service. When they are torn, they get used for real nasty grease and tossed.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
$6.01 at Sams club, why bother with cleaning?:
+1, SE Michigan has them at $6.01.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
i checked the site.......$25 for 50 shop towels
you can buy 25 for $7 at the parts store 
ZRX61
Well-known member
I use the blue Scott towel rolls & the Costco terry towels & shop rags. Some shop rags & terry towels get washed, some just get tossed depending on how bad they get.
& being single, they go in the washer/drier at home
& being single, they go in the washer/drier at home
minhster
Well-known member
I'm a little surprise that there are a ton of people that think washing dirty towels at the laundrymat is so wrong yet it's ok for others to use disposables that pollutes the earth. At least washing towels can "potentially" be green.