How to Wash an Oily Rag

Proper disposal of oily rags can avert a true disaster in your home or workplace. It is never advisable to reuse these rags, mostly due to the fact that washing them really doesn't work all that well. Instead, your goal should be to soak them in a safe manner where they are out of harms way, and where they can be easily collected when your community removes hazardous waste materials.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket or trash can
• Water
• Laundry detergent
• Local waste disposal information/contact

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase a vessel such as a small trash can with a lid or cover. Find a place away from any flammable materials to place the vessel.

• 2

  Pour water into the bucket to the half-way point. Do not use anything other than water.

• 3

  Add several full scoops of your conventional laundry detergent to the water, mixing it in.

• 4

  Throw the oily rags into the solution, fully submerging them underneath the water line. Do not fill the vessel to the point where full submersion of the rags is not possible.

• 5

  Call your local waste removal authority and find out when they collect hazardous materials. It is usually a couple times a year in most municipalities. Just before the collection period, transfer the towels to whatever container the authorities specify. Do not reuse them.