cleaning rags and coveralls

EDBinOR · Sep 18, 2012

Thinking of buying an old washing machine and washing my rags and coveralls in cold water out in the shop. Does anyone know what soap to use?? The coverall outfits must use something pretty strong nut I have no idea what to use. Thanks in advance for any help. EDBinOR

Dick2 · Sep 18, 2012

Is that soft water or hard? You can use a lot less detergent with soft water.

Hot water would also help to remove grease and oil.

agpilot · Sep 18, 2012

Hello EDBenOR: That an easy question for me.. TIDE brand has a Cold Water formula.. I would also consider using DAWN dish water soap on small items left to soak in a bucket if really oil & grease covered.. Dawn has stronger "Power Clean" that I"ve only seen in better stores. Dawn is advertized as a good choice for cutting oil & grease soiled clothing.. Ice cold water is not a good start to get stuff clean..

David G · Sep 18, 2012

I soak mine in purple power for a day before washing.

Rick Kr · Sep 18, 2012

I take a trip to the local laundry mat every so often. I dont think Mrs. Kr wants all the grease and grime in her washer. I use whatever soap she has in the cupboard. Usually takes two time through the wash. Especially the last time I was taking off a transmission pan, and ended up catching the whole thing right on my chest.
Load it up, walk to Subway. If it needs a second turn, load it, walk to Dairy Queen.

Rick

flying belgian · Sep 18, 2012

It is really hard to get grease out with cold water.

showcrop · Sep 19, 2012

The company I work for makes detergents. We supply large plants that clean uniforms. The chemistry in use requires hot water in order to do it economically. In order to get anything done with grease and oil in cold water you would have to use a solvent. About the best, though pricey, is d'limonene which comes from orange peels. Any of the products promoted as citrus based would be d'limonene. The way I do it is to toss my used rags into a soak bucket with some oven cleaner in with the water. When it is filled I agitate a little with a brush on a long handle, then dump the solution, refill with clean water, dump, allow to drain, then run through the wife's washer. By the way, the Industrial laundries use sodium hydroxide, same as we use foe removing grease and paint from tractors.

BIG ED · Sep 19, 2012

I used to soak rags in PURPLE POWER for a few days,then take them to L-Mat,don't know how well cold water will clean heavy dirty stuff ??
Here latley,I've found used rental rags @ flea market cheaper than cost to soak/&/wash.

greygoat · Sep 19, 2012

I'd always took Railroad Locomotive Mechanic
work clothes to a laundromat. Used Borax detergent, and a cup of washing soda and a cup
of ammonia, in hotest water setting. AND..tried
never to use the same laundramat twice in a row!
Pity the poor woman who tried to wash delicates
in the same machine after me!
To this day,10 years after retirement, I still
slink around laundramats, for fear of being
recognised!

cleaning rags and coveralls

EDBinOR

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Dick2

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agpilot

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David G

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Rick Kr

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flying belgian

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showcrop

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BIG ED

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greygoat

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