Clean rags and towels
01-29-21, 02:08 PM
#27
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I suppose everyone who washes greasy rags in the clothes washer is single. Or is soon to be.
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01-29-21, 08:56 PM
#28
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I use microfiber rags from the cleaning closet and toss them. Once the supply gets low, the housekeeper leaves a note she needs more and my wife picks them up wherever. It's been a great system so far.
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01-29-21, 09:16 PM
#29
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I buy terry cloth washcloths from the cheap stores. They cost about a quarter apiece and are not worth trying to reuse, the War Department has figured out how to use them as well, so it seems to be a win-win so far. I use the white ones only because I want to see any dirt that I clean out a part, and know that I get all of the dirt out when cleaning bearings etc.. I bought shop rags from a local service for about three years and when the cost went above fifty cents per rag, I looked for a different source. The terry washcloths became the default source. Cheap and easy to dispose of and I don't have any remorse when tossing them out. Smiles, MH
Last edited by Mad Honk; 01-30-21 at 06:24 PM.
01-29-21, 09:38 PM
#30
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I buy terry cloth washcloths from the cheap stores. They cost about a quarter apiece and are not worth trying to reuse, the War Department has figured out how to use them as well, so it seems to be a win-win so far. I use the white ones only because I want to see any dirt that I clean out a part, and know that I get all of the dirt out when cleaning bearings etc.. I bought shop rags from a local service for about three years and when the cost went above fifty cents per rag, I looked for a different source. The terry washcloths became the default source. Cheap and easy to dispose of and I don't have any remorse hen tossing them out. Smiles, MH
01-29-21, 09:42 PM
#31
Sr Member on Sr bikes
My town doesnt have sewers...were all on individual septic systems. So, I always consider what Im putting into the septic tank...the amount of grease being rinsed out, down the drain, and into the tank. Grease and other chemicals are bad for the system and leach field. So...I usually just throw them away.
Dan
Dan
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01-29-21, 11:14 PM
#32
Full Member
i do not know about your town but in my town everybody leaves tons of stuff out on the curb for scavengers like me.
a lot of it is used clothing. especially t shirts. linens. jeans.
a smorgasboard of rags for every occasion.
a lot of it is used clothing. especially t shirts. linens. jeans.
a smorgasboard of rags for every occasion.
01-30-21, 11:03 AM
#33
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02-01-21, 12:45 PM
#34
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This. Or go buy a bunch of rags on ebay. Old sheets are perfect. I never wash rags, too much of the grease ends up in the washing machine.
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02-01-21, 12:47 PM
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I've been removing old grease from my bike with a bunch of rags/towels but now they are very filthy with old grease. I've been putting them in the washing machine, 3 times so far, and that does the trick.
But now I'm asking myself if I am destroying my washing machine. So how do you clean your old greased rags and towels? I would rather reuse than buy new ones consistently.
But now I'm asking myself if I am destroying my washing machine. So how do you clean your old greased rags and towels? I would rather reuse than buy new ones consistently.
Helped to have lots to read, sandwich and a 20 oz Coke. Lot of time, but was way cheaper than a laundry service. Starting early in the AM also helped. Lots of hot water.
02-01-21, 12:52 PM
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One shop I worked in was in a small town, and would do extensive teardowns using carb cleaner for overhauls. Commercial laundry rags were expensive. We used red rags, and would wash them twice in hot water in a Speed Queen at a local laundromat. First load was not a full load setting, and we used some strong detergent for rags. Second load was full fill setting, hot water, and did not foul the washer. I washed my clothes after. No goop on my clothes.
Helped to have lots to read, sandwich and a 20 oz Coke. Lot of time, but was way cheaper than a laundry service. Starting early in the AM also helped. Lots of hot water.
Helped to have lots to read, sandwich and a 20 oz Coke. Lot of time, but was way cheaper than a laundry service. Starting early in the AM also helped. Lots of hot water.
Gross. The red rags can bleed dye as well. I accidentally turned several pairs of work pants pink.
02-01-21, 01:25 PM
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I've been removing old grease from my bike with a bunch of rags/towels but now they are very filthy with old grease. I've been putting them in the washing machine, 3 times so far, and that does the trick.
But now I'm asking myself if I am destroying my washing machine. So how do you clean your old greased rags and towels? I would rather reuse than buy new ones consistently.
PS: I would ask this in a washing machine forum but that doesn't exist I think
But now I'm asking myself if I am destroying my washing machine. So how do you clean your old greased rags and towels? I would rather reuse than buy new ones consistently.
PS: I would ask this in a washing machine forum but that doesn't exist I think
with a healthy dose of Dawn dish detergent for 3 or 4 days. Then rinse them and throw them into the washer
on a hot setting.
02-01-21, 03:18 PM
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This is what I do too, but I also add about 2 cups of bleach to the bucket with the lots of Dawn liquid soap. Stir the rags and agitate them each day to help the grease out of the rags. After 4 days I take the pile of wet rags to the laundry mat and through them in the washing machine with double rinse hot setting. Add more bleach and this time granulated detergent soap (Tide) to the load. They come out a lot cleaner as compared to almost completely black at the beginning. Then throw them in a dryer and you're done for at least 6 more months.
02-01-21, 03:25 PM
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This is what I do too, but I also add about 2 cups of bleach to the bucket with the lots of Dawn liquid soap. Stir the rags and agitate them each day to help the grease out of the rags. After 4 days I take the pile of wet rags to the laundry mat and through them in the washing machine with double rinse hot setting. Add more bleach and this time granulated detergent soap (Tide) to the load. They come out a lot cleaner as compared to almost completely black at the beginning. Then throw them in a dryer and you're done for at least 6 more months.
What do you say to the women next to you at the laundry mat washing their underwear?
02-01-21, 04:17 PM
#46
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I've been removing old grease from my bike with a bunch of rags/towels but now they are very filthy with old grease. I've been putting them in the washing machine, 3 times so far, and that does the trick.
But now I'm asking myself if I am destroying my washing machine. So how do you clean your old greased rags and towels? I would rather reuse than buy new ones consistently.
PS: I would ask this in a washing machine forum but that doesn't exist I think
But now I'm asking myself if I am destroying my washing machine. So how do you clean your old greased rags and towels? I would rather reuse than buy new ones consistently.
PS: I would ask this in a washing machine forum but that doesn't exist I think
i wash my micro fiber rags but i tend to avoid using on greasey stuff
02-01-21, 04:50 PM
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This is what I do too, but I also add about 2 cups of bleach to the bucket with the lots of Dawn liquid soap. Stir the rags and agitate them each day to help the grease out of the rags. After 4 days I take the pile of wet rags to the laundry mat and through them in the washing machine with double rinse hot setting. Add more bleach and this time granulated detergent soap (Tide) to the load. They come out a lot cleaner as compared to almost completely black at the beginning. Then throw them in a dryer and you're done for at least 6 more months.
NB: Dawn has long been considered the best grease-cutting dish detergent. Not just for bike stuff, but most household
greasy cleaning. <I have no financial interest in . . . >
02-01-21, 07:30 PM
#48
Junior Member
I used to take my old dirty bike rags down to the local laundromat (as I didn't want to put them in
my washing machine) and would put heavy duty soap as well as bleach in the wash cycle. They
would get somewhat clean. Now, I just toss the rags in the trash as I get free surgery towels that
can't be used but must be trashed (can't be sterlized again). They're great...
my washing machine) and would put heavy duty soap as well as bleach in the wash cycle. They
would get somewhat clean. Now, I just toss the rags in the trash as I get free surgery towels that
can't be used but must be trashed (can't be sterlized again). They're great...
02-01-21, 07:52 PM
#49
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02-01-21, 08:58 PM
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Ya, it's one of those moral dilemmas in life. Kinda like should one travel during the holidays when there's a pandemic going on (which I don't). People spew their carbon monoxide into the air driving while I'm riding in the bike lane and breathing it in. The list goes on. People pollute. Should the rags go in the trash and to the landfill or should they be washed and reused. I always try to get them as degreased as possible as described before bringing them to the local laundromat. The stainless steel industrial strength washing machines the owner has there should leave minimal residue I'd imagine. At $4.75 a load I figure I have paid for the right to put my shop rags (pre-cleaned) in the his machine rather than our household one.