Whether in a factory setting, an auto shop, or your home garage, messy jobs that involve dirt and grime call for a steady supply of rags and shop towels. Old bath towels and T-shirts, as well as coarse, professional-level shop rags and absorbent microfiber towels, are all useful for keeping your hands and your tools clean. But can these rags be re-used? Should they be thrown into the trash?
It goes without saying that shop rags get filthy. At the end of the day, you’ll likely have a pile of them covered in dirt and grease and, depending on the job, oil, and chemicals. There are two primary issues with those oily and chemical-laden rags sitting in your garage.
Environmental damage — If you simply throw those oily rags in the trash they could add contaminants into waste streams, which could seep into soil or water supplies and cause harm to both humans and wildlife. That’s why it’s recommended that rags that have been used to wipe up chemicals be taken to appropriate disposal facilities.
Fire risk — A fire can start without a match or spark, and those old oily rags are a leading cause of this type of spontaneous combustion. Through a process known as oxidation, certain oils will dry, or cure, over time. The oxygen generated during this process actually produces heat, which can get hot enough to ignite cotton or other flammable material.
Oxidation is so dangerous because it doesn’t require light or any external heat sources to happen. According to reports from fire departments around the country, spontaneous combustion occurs more than 1,000 times every year, so don’t let this easily avoidable accident happen to you.
Don’t Wash!
While paintbrushes and rollers used for oil-based painting can be safely cleaned using paint thinners, it’s not so easy to clean old oily rags.
In the spirit of reducing waste, some people try to wash their old shop rags in their home washing machine. This is not recommended. Unlike the milder cleaners used for household cleaning, oil-based products such as linseed oil often contain toxic materials that could damage your washing machine, end up in your water treatment system, or ruin clothing and other washable items.
Washing by hand can similarly allow oils to get into the water supply. Avoid washing rags in your sink as it will cause oily water to flow down your drain, which could damage your pipes.
Unfortunately, chemically soaked rags are also not able to be composted; the toxins will taint the other natural materials in a compost pile. While it may seem wasteful, it’s actually better for the environment to simply get rid of those old rags. But that doesn’t mean throwing them in the trash.
Here are your two options to dispose of old shop rags the right way.
Container Method
Place as many rags as will fit in an empty metal can with a tight-fitting lid, keeping a few inches of space at the top. An old paint can will work well.
Fill the can completely with water, submerging the rags, and close the lid tightly.
Bring the container to a local hazardous waste disposal facility. Search online to find a facility near you or call your local government or non-emergency police hotline.
Drying Method
Lay out the oil-soaked rags and towels in a single layer outdoors. Choose a location that provides good ventilation and is also not directly in the sun. Look for a safe and noncombustible surface, such as a concrete sidewalk or driveway.
Let the rags dry out for at least 48 hours, checking frequently to make sure they are completely dry. While you may be tempted to reuse them, the resins in many synthetic oils harden over time, so chances are these rags will be too stiff to use again.
Finally, consult your local garbage service’s policies for dried rags or bring them to a local disposal facility.
When it comes to disposing of greasy shop rags and towels, putting in a little extra effort is all it takes to avoid unnecessary fire risks and do the right thing for the environment.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.