Notices
Garage & Workshop Tips & Ideas for the garage or workshop. No Truck Tech Discussion   

Shop rags

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 23, 2002 | 01:33 PM
  #1  
pward76's Avatar
pward76
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Urbandale, Iowa
Shop rags

I ought to be in a women's forum somewhere asking this, but I am cleaning my new project truck, finding and fixing leaks, scraping oil and grease and crud off the frame, engine bay, etc. I took a load of greasy rags (and my jeans and sweatshirt) and washed them using detergent the other day. My wife was a tad upset by the oily ring in the washing machine, not to mention the sweet aroma of carb cleaner and simple green that had not come out of my clothes.

I washed out the washing machine with Simple green and re-did the stuff with Dawn and laundry detergent, and left a smaller, lighter ring this time. I probably could have washed them a couple mre times and still been getting crud out of em, but the "real" laundry was piling up.

I have a new pile of dirty rags, anybody want to share any wisdom on how to get this stuff clean without ending my marriage? I have though about soaking them in a bucket with a solution of Simple Green for a few days before washing them....

Feel free to get your wife's advice and post it!

Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2002 | 04:10 PM
  #2  
blu's Avatar
blu
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 519
Likes: 0
From: CT
Shop rags

In the summer I put a rope through my pants legs(carharts and jeans) tow them behind the boat at 25-30 mph for a hour come out clean but faded(get the pants in turbulent wake for this to work). I have not found a good solution to deep oil stains - besides a dedicated washing machine - please post back if you find one.(Did find a reason to take the boat out more often though).
Check your yellow pages under commercial laundry - ours has a shop rag section. I get a cubic yard of red rags - clean but recycled -lasts a year or longer.
I tried the five gallon bucket with simple green and rust out no luck. A fast moving creek could replace the boat drag. (Neither are probably a viable option this time a year)

Good luck
Ray


 
Reply
Old Dec 23, 2002 | 08:12 PM
  #3  
biggreen4x4's Avatar
biggreen4x4
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Hephzibah Georgia
Shop rags

you could take them to a local laundry mat late at night and use about 3 scoops of detergent. Wash them about 3 times them dry them. It would cost you about $2.00. Be sure you dont leave much grease behind. The woman who may come behind you might not like the feeling of oil film in her undies.
 
Reply
Old Dec 24, 2002 | 08:24 PM
  #4  
pward76's Avatar
pward76
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Urbandale, Iowa
Shop rags

>you could take them to a local laundry mat late at night and
>use about 3 scoops of detergent. Wash them about 3 times
>them dry them. It would cost you about $2.00. Be sure you
>dont leave much grease behind. The woman who may come behind
>you might not like the feeling of oil film in her undies.


I had thought about that as an option, actually. All but the woman with the oil film, that is
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 02:34 AM
  #5  
DailyDriver's Avatar
DailyDriver
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 846
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca.
Shop rags

Just throw'em away. I wash the ones that are lightly soiled but the greasy-oily ones aren't worth the trouble. You can buy bulk rags at most auto parts stores cheaply enough.
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 11:43 AM
  #6  
Torque1st's Avatar
Torque1st
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Shop rags

You can find another thread here that has a discussion on shop rags with many ideas and information.
 

Last edited by Torque1st; Feb 3, 2003 at 01:59 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2002 | 12:40 PM
  #7  
pward76's Avatar
pward76
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 622
Likes: 0
From: Urbandale, Iowa
Shop rags

Thanks, Torque1st.

Search was down when I posted this or I would have found that thread.

Pat
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Dec 27, 2002 | 05:39 PM
  #8  
Torque1st's Avatar
Torque1st
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Shop rags

That is one of the reasons I encourage people to look thru this entire forum page by page. There is a tremendous amount of info in these posts and users may see topics and add their own input.
 

Last edited by Torque1st; Feb 3, 2003 at 01:59 AM.
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Dec 28, 2002 | 12:23 AM
  #9  
wabiker's Avatar
wabiker
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 0
From: mesa, az
Shop rags

Try a presoak in a bucket with Oxyclean...then throw em in the washer with some more oxyclean...the stuff seems to work OK for me...Oh yea, then run a empty washer with just some clorox bleach...usually cleans it pretty good (the washer that is)
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2002 | 01:00 PM
  #10  
dutchtreat's Avatar
dutchtreat
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: rome, georgia
Shop rags

I would consider pitching all soiled rags......spontanious
conbustion can and does happen if they are left laying around.
I purchase rags from the local hospital..5 lbs. for 3 bucks isn't bad.
Contact the laundry department..they may have a program like this.

Dutchtreat
 
Reply
Old Dec 31, 2002 | 03:15 PM
  #11  
coach336's Avatar
coach336
New User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg United States
Shop rags

I work for the school system as a Mechanic our uniform rental co. sells boxes of shop rags cheap. Then we throw them away.

<edited by Moderator for all caps>
 
Reply
Old Jan 10, 2003 | 10:41 PM
  #12  
wolfmanagh's Avatar
wolfmanagh
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 0
From: Twin Cities, MN
Shop rags

We have a small washer in the shop to wash ours. we will put anything in there to clean them. we will often run them 3 or 4 times to get them clean. Then hang them up to dry. We tried using a drier once but the smell through the building didn't go too well.

(some of the stuff we used for cleaning are : dawn, tide, toilet bowl cleaner, bleach, degreaser, windex, hand soap, floor stripper, and hand cleaner.) Don't laugh at some of this, we use what we have and what we have is what they get for cleaning other stuff in the building so we are lucky when we get landry soap.
 
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2003 | 12:18 AM
  #13  
Fordzzzz77's Avatar
Fordzzzz77
Senior User
25 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 448
Likes: 1
From: Chimacum/Jefferson County
Shop rags

 
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2003 | 09:15 AM
  #14  
72mach_1's Avatar
72mach_1
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Greenup KY
Shop rags

I guess I'm lucky. My neighbor works for a uniform cleaning outfit,they rent,and clean uniforms-rags anr carpets,ect..Well his not real slick when it comes to working on his truck/car. so he asks me to help him.therefor he keeps me stocked with rags.....Johnny
 
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2003 | 08:31 PM
  #15  
SkynyrdFreak's Avatar
SkynyrdFreak
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Shop rags

There's such a thing as "Rags in a Box"--they're like paper towels with no fuzz. Disposable. My dad uses them for finishing woodworking projects. Not sure where he got them. Maybe ask at a woodworking store? I use them for car projects too.

Al
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:16 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE