I used to just throw all my cleaning rags in one pile, then I ruined a whole batch of towels

For years I tossed every rag from every job into the same laundry basket. Then last month I soaked one that had paint thinner residue in with a load of towels I use for dusting. They came out smelling like a gas station and I had to toss the whole stack. Now I keep three separate bins: one for grease and oil rags, one for water-based stuff, and one for chemical rags. Cost me about 8 bucks for used buckets at a garage sale to set it up. Has anyone else found a better way to sort their shop rags without needing a whole laundry system?

2 comments

2 Comments

veraj537d ago

Honestly, is it really that deep? I mean yeah paint thinner smell is nasty but you could have just soaked those towels in vinegar and baking soda a couple times before washing them. I've been throwing every rag I own into one load for like 15 years now and maybe once or twice I've had to rewash something but I've never tossed a whole stack. Feels like you're overcomplicating a problem that a good hot wash and some oxyclean would have solved. Unless you're working with something seriously toxic I think three separate bins is a little extra, but you do you.

garcia.tyler6d ago

Three bins does seem like a lot, unless you're dealing with like, actual hazmat stuff. Most paint thinners and solvents will break down after a hot wash with some heavy duty laundry detergent, you know? I've had paint soaked rags that smelled like a chemical plant and they came out fine after a double wash with some borax thrown in. Feels like you could solve this with a little more patience on the wash cycle instead of buying a whole new bin system.