Washing the shop rags

[PWL216 1,174]

Shop rags can get expensive and I don’t like to put them in my washing machine. I’ve had this cement mixer around for a while now and figured I’d put it to good use

[WHX?? 55,970]

18 minutes ago, PWL216 said:

I don’t like to put them in my washing machine

Just do when she ain't lookin... 

[Achto 31,494]

Excellent idea!!  

 

I had once thought about picking up a gas powered Maytag for washing shop rags.

[WHX?? 55,970]

24 minutes ago, Achto said:

picking up a gas powered Maytag

Now that would be cool... 

[8ntruck 8,743]

 keep your fingers out of the ringer rollers!

[kpinnc 17,730]

I buy $5 packs of microfiber towels at Horror Fright, and wash them when I get a big pile dirty. 

 

If they get really nasty they go in the trash. They're cheap enough to be semi- reusable. 

[squonk 46,035]

Yup Horror fright has the towels in Micro and your std. cotton white and red variety. Almost not worth washing them.

[kpinnc 17,730]

8 minutes ago, squonk said:

Yup Horror fright has the towels in Micro and your std. cotton white and red variety. Almost not worth washing them.

 

Literally as cheap as the paper shop towels. Just without the lint.

 

If they are just dirty, I wash them. 

 

But if they are greasy that doesn't go in the washer. That is one thing my wife might actually hurt me over... 

Edited 7 hours ago by kpinnc

[ebinmaine 78,140]

9 hours ago, PWL216 said:

cement mixer

 

FANTASTIC! 

[adsm08 4,351]

I just take them into work and dump them in the dirty bin, then "borrow" a similar number. I let the uniform company worry about washing them.

[wallfish 19,680]

I mostly use these. 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TOOLBOX-Professional-White-Rags-200-Sheets-10-in-W-x-11-in-L-Sheet-Size-Disposable-Painter-s-Rags-Natural-Fibers-5820208/203776822

 

The cheaper HDX brand aren't very absorbent and just smear crap around. 

 

I don't like leaving ANY gas soaked rags around because there's always sparks flying. Grinding welding torches etc.  I use old Tshirts too as more permanent type rags but just toss those when there isn't anymore clean spots on them.

Edited 4 hours ago by wallfish

[Ed Kennell 45,624]

When my work clothes reach the correct level, they become shop rags for a while, then go to the burn barrel.      No grease in Mrs. Ks house or washing machine.

[SylvanLakeWH 31,020]

I soak my coveralls in a Home Depot bucket with dawn soap... then squish them around a bit... rinse and dry... degreases enough for my needs...

 

Old tshirts etc. for rags. When life expectancy reached (dirty beyond continued use) they get tossed... 

[Wayne0 1,556]

1 hour ago, adsm08 said:

I just take them into work and dump them in the dirty bin, then "borrow" a similar number. I let the uniform company worry about washing them.

I did that for years!

[Pullstart 69,566]

I kept our old wash machine when we upgraded.  It likes to spill the bleach over a few loads, but I don’t use bleach.  It’s in the basement to do my dirty laundry out of sight, out of mind.

[Wishin4a416 2,555]

Great idea. Looks like it works great.When I had race horses back in the 70's washing the leg wraps was an issue. They got very dirty and stinky. We picked up an old maytag washer with the ringer and kept it at the track.