Thread: Washing oily/greasy rags at a laundromat?

Hell no. Just don't expect wash and fold.

Many years ago I used to have the rags that workshops rent from the mobs that also clean the overalls. I used to take them to the laundromat.

Dave.

how is washing an oily rag in a washing machine anywhere trying to be environmentally friendly? Just through them away and steal some more from your employer. You could try cutting them up so you use less or boil them up in a big pot and clean them the old fashioned way

Originally Posted by dobbo

how is washing an oily rag in a washing machine anywhere trying to be environmentally friendly? Just through them away and steal some more from your employer. You could try cutting them up so you use less or boil them up in a big pot and clean them the old fashioned way

I used to throw them away when they were dirty but figured that was a waste. At work we throw out about 300 towels a month because after they are professionally laundered 50 times the colours start to fade and they no longer look good, I save a bag here or there for rags when I need them, we give a stack to the cleaners to use for cleaning rags at work, other staff get them to use for dog and cat bedding or for camping. Isn't it better to reuse them than to have an oil contaminated rag go into landfill? At least when they are washed at a laundromat the grease goes into a grease trap and this gets cleaned and disposed of properly. No such luck at home - straight to the ocean!

Originally Posted by pfillery

So in my efforts to be environmentally friendly and reuse (by washing them) my collection of oily rags, which are good quality towels by the way, that work throws away once they no longer look presentable but they make the best rags, is it morally wrong to wash such things in a commercial laundromat, the DIY kind? After all miners wash their mining clothes in such places so as not to dirty their washer. Is it prudent to leave a note suggesting avoiding the machine if you have delicates or is the protocol to leave very quickly afterwards???

You will find that the laundromats which cater for Miners have machines set aside for just these types of clothes...

And other machines that are not to be used for such contaminated items...

And Laundromats dont run grease traps, they plumb to the sewer just like everyone else...

Originally Posted by pfillery

At work we throw out about 300 towels a month because after they are professionally laundered 50 times the colours start to fade and they no longer look good, I save a bag here or there for rags when I need them,

If they throw out 300 per month I can see a good side business there, and I will be the first to put my hand up and say grab me a bag

I think it's a disgusting idea to use machines other members of the public use just because you don't want your machine to get dirty.
Why should they possibly get your grease and oil over their nice, maybe expensive clothes because of your dirty actions.
Buy an old machine and use it exclusively for them.
And miners probably have on site laundries and don't use machines available to the general public.
I know we did years ago when I worked in mines and other bush jobs.
AlanH.

wash your rags by leaving in a bucket of CT14 degreaser, then rinse and wash with laundry detergent by hand