Washing shop rags -- solution!

[LugNut]

Had to share this one!  After decades of ticking-off the spouse when I washed my oily shop rags, polishing/drying towels, etc. in her nice washing machine, and making a mess of it, I found a great, cheap solution:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Haier-1-Cubic-Foot-Portable-Washing-Machine/13346456

On its third load now.  Works great.  But can't allow it to freeze, so I installed it next to my slop/utility sink indoors. 

Got it for $174 plus tax, and free to-home shipping.  Was doubled-boxed/padded, so no problems with the shipping damage that earlier folks mention in their reviews.  Also don't worry about installing the base pan -- it's very easy for us grease monkeys.  Made in China/drop-shipped from California.

[4Cruizn]

Looks interesting . . have to check it out.

[Katfish]

Don't you have to wash a trememdous amount to pay for $174 worth of shop rags?

Between old cloths, towels, etc.....   I wouldn't even consider washing anything greasy.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I throw my rags into a bucket of hot water with a good dose of Pine-Sol. Work them over real good, let it set for a few hours, then repeat a time or three, then give a good rinsing.  This works great for towels I used for waxing. It's not perfect for greasy rags, but it does get most of it out...Enough that I can re-use.

[passion4mopars]

I pour a can of coke in my shop rags in the washer....cuts the grease and the machine ain't greasy when I'm done.  I don't have ALOT of oil, but I get my fair share of grease of inside housings on them  LOL

[ShelbyDogg]

I get my red shop rags at Harbor Freight then throw them away when they get bad enough.  I'll never put my greasy rags in my washing machine.    I'll take them to the laundramat if I really felt like saving them, but I don't.

[LugNut]

"then repeat a time or three, then give a good rinsing."

And then you beat them against a rock in the stream?   

The shop I worked at many moons ago always washed their rags (sent out to a service), so that's what I follow.  Very convenient to have my own machine now!

I do toss the really greasy ones, like if used for removing black goo from u-joints, etc.  But I try to use the already near-death rags for that.  And buy a new pack of rags maybe every five years.

For the red rags in the washer, filling it (loosely dropping in) only about 3/4 full worked well.  But if very dirty I'd only fill half-way.  And I've always run the full heavy cycle twice when doing these rags.

P.S.  Greasy rags can auto-ignite, so be sure to store them in a well ventilated, non-combustible, cool-location can.  I always let the wet (with water or solvent, etc.) rags dry/air out before putting them in the to-wash container.

[70_Hemi_Cuda]

Its a good idea to have a separate washer but like others were saying you could buy alot of towels for that much money

[heminut]

I take mine to the laundromat and use their big frontloader machine. My wife would kill me if I used her machine. I use 'Purple Cleaner' from Car Quest and wash them twice, and after the second wash the machine itself seems to be clean. The lady who owns the laundromat hasn't barred me from the place yet!