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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 7,955
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How do you wash your shop towels/rags?
A recent engine drop to address the oil breather/temp switch oil leak has left me with lots of oily towels and rags. In the past, I've just put them in the washing machine but some of the clothes I washed afterwards smelled a little like Castrol GTX. I don't mind it so much but my wife sure does.
Engine oil is one thing but axle grease has a strong chemical smell that I can't hide with Bounce or Snuggle fabric softener so she'll know for sure. How do you guys clean your shop towels and rags? The ones I use are cut up old bath towels so they're pretty thick and absorbent not like the red rags you can buy from Pep Boys or Kragen. I don't really want to just chuck them. |
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08-03-2008, 03:22 PM
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Take them to the local laundromat-- don't do them at home
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----------------------------- Ernie 81 SC |
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08-03-2008, 04:04 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Kenbridge VA
Posts: 4,270
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+1 on the laundromat, but if you use the dryer you might want to leave for a while.
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Peppy 2011 BMW 335d 1988 Targa 3.4  2001 Jetta TDI dead 1982 Chevette Diesel SOLD 
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08-03-2008, 04:22 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Carlos, CA US
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You throw them away. Buy them at Costco for a cheap price.
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Porsche 2005 GT3, 2006 997S with bore-scoring Exotic: Ferrari F360F1 TDF, Ferrari 328 GTS Disposable Car: BMW 530xiT, 2008 Mini Cooper S Two-wheel art: Ducati 907IE, Ducati 851 |
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08-03-2008, 04:44 PM
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Make Bruins Great Again
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Dirty and some oil:
Wash them separately. Hot water, liquid detergent, warm rinse. Afterward wipe down the sides of the washer with a paper towel to get rid of any residual grime. Heavy Grease, trans, brake, or hydraulic fluid: use separate rags and throw them out. Wife is happy and remember my favorite scripture: "When momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" 1 Joe 1:1
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-------------------------------------- Joe See Porsche run. Run, Porsche, Run: `87 911 Carrera |
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08-03-2008, 05:00 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: PA of USA
Posts: 745
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+ 1 to throwing them away or buying them at Costco or such...
MINUS 10 to local laundromat (we all deserve better!!!)
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1995 993 ('Under my Care') 1989 911 ('Go Pitt') 1996 993 ('Go Navy') 1984 911 ('Go Pelican') |
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08-03-2008, 05:03 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 30,478
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Hey, I'm a single guy so I've go no problem using my oven or dishwasher "as needed" within reason, but red shop rags are a disposable item
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08-03-2008, 05:10 PM
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Location: Kenbridge VA
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If you use the laundromat, clean the machine after. There is a fire hazard when drying them.
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Peppy 2011 BMW 335d 1988 Targa 3.4 2001 Jetta TDI dead 1982 Chevette Diesel SOLD
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08-03-2008, 05:11 PM
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What about this little scenario... washing the microfiber detailing rags. I used to do them all by hand, but just such a pain and time consumer... tried washing a few in the wash, but they tend to pick up any kind of dirt or whatever and then you have a scratch-maker...
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Shane - 1984 928S |
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08-03-2008, 05:15 PM
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Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,067
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Quote:
As to other rags, I wash them in very hot water with double detergent and then an extra rinse cycle. For the rags that still have an oil smell, I let them air dry. The others go into the dryer.
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1984 Targa Last edited by scottb; 08-03-2008 at 05:25 PM.. |
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08-03-2008, 05:22 PM
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Make Bruins Great Again
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Microfiber: Set the water level on the highest setting (full load) even if you only need the lower setting to cover them. Wash and rinse warm. Use a medium amount of liquid detergent. If you are OCD, rinse two times. Never use bleach or fabric softener.
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-------------------------------------- Joe See Porsche run. Run, Porsche, Run: `87 911 Carrera |
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08-03-2008, 05:23 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Suntree, Florida, USA
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+100 on tossing them. $12 for 50 or 100 (can't remember) white terry towels in the automotive aisle of Sam's. The red ones are cheap too. Sure, the landfills are not that happy, but at the end of the day, as someone said above, if mama ain't happy...
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JB - BreitWerks www.breitwerks.com 321-806-8664 Engine Rebuild & Restorations |
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08-03-2008, 05:27 PM
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Thanks for teh MF tips
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Shane - 1984 928S |
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08-03-2008, 05:48 PM
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1981 Porsche 911 SC
Max
