Thread: Washing grubby mechanic's oily clothes...

Originally Posted by superquag

#2 Son is a newly minted 'Motor Mechanic' but alas, it would seem he prefers using his clothes instead of rags. At least this is the opinion voiced by SWMBO, who is burdened with washing his greasy ra . . er, - 'uniform'.
Said Family Servant is not impressed with the smell and residue left behind in her washing machine, so I'm looking for ideas about more effective washing procedures.
My first thought was some kind of water-based de-greaser solution plus Hot Water for a Pre - wash, followed by one or two conventional detergent washes.
The expen$ive alternative is another washing machine, just for his oily-rags.

All ideas gratefully accepted !

Step daughter had same issue with her ex.

Only solution that worked was seperate machine for his work clothes.

Claim $150 per year with no reciepts.

My greasy wear goes in a bucket of warm/hot water with Sard wonder soaker and a dash of eucalyptus oil, 24 hours later drain it off and wash it as normal. Never had any cross contamination issues that way, the missus still has her whites looking whiter than white. Same washing machine for 30 years so far (they just don't build them that way any more).

Well how insulting to call a mechanic grubby

*Plenty of families with mechanics do have a second machine for said issue.
*I use any number of water based degreasers, put a cap full or two in the drum.
*Use can also use dish washing liquid.
*I also have a Fisher & Paykel front loader that washes far better than my old machine and does have a heavy cycle that I use every now and then, although it takes way too long.
*A mates wife puts his work clothes in a pillow case before putting it in the machine.


Other thoughts...
*Places I've worked in the past prohibited mechanics from wiping their hands on their uniforms and also they wear work gloves.
*use that selective hearing and stop listening to your Said Family Servant's complaining.
*Get said servant a new new machine.

Tell the grubby bugger to go wash them at a laundromat.

I have used Supercheap degreaser in the pressure can. Hang overalls on fence, spray with dg, leave for a few minutes, hit with the hose, then wash separately.

Originally Posted by Tombie

Tell the grubby bugger to go wash them at a laundromat.

Agreed.
If he is old enough to work on engines he is old enough to do his own washing.
An old twin tub in the shed or on the back patio is all that is needed

I find cloudy ammonia works well.

For $80 i bought a top loading washing machine and it is left at work. Like has been mentioned should be doing his own washing!!

Jc