[Shop-talk] What to do with oily rags?

[David Scheidt]

On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 12:20 PM, Kent Sullivan <kentsu at corvairkid.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I keep used oily rags in a metal container designed for that sort of thing
> and it's getting full. I'd prefer to not send them to a landfill. I called
> some commercial laundering companies local to me that provide towels,
> uniforms, etc. and they don't have a way to accept a random assortment of
> rags from a residential user. I also talked to a couple of car-related
> businesses that I frequent and they rent their rags, so mine can't easily be
> added. I also spoke with my local hazardous waste collection site and they
> take oil and filters but not rags.
>
> Any suggestions? I don't really have a washing machine that I can use to
> wash and reuse them myself. I guess I could go to a Laundromat but that
> seems kind of unfair to anyone who might use that particular washer after
> me...
>

I soak them in a plastic bucket.  Hot water (to start), detergent, and
oxygen bleach. Allow to soak for a while (at least overnight, at
least, but I'll do a week or more.  Stir occasionally.), then skim off
the scum that rises to the top.  Wash normally, or just rinse
thourghly and dry.


-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com