General Cycling Discussion - O.K to put Greasy Rags in washing machine?

I'm sure people do it, but is it safe/legal/right? i'm talking about all my cleaning rags which are soaked in bike lube. Thanks in advance.

Why do you need to soak your rags in bike lube?

Also, it depends on the lube. Wax based lubes are fine, but petroleum based products should not be put into our drinking water.

Is this a public machine or your own?

I was my dirty rags in our washing machine, my wife hasn't said anything about it and she knows that I do it. So, at least in my house it causes no harm.

Why do you need to soak your rags in bike lube?

I'm just talking about the rags I wipe my chain down with after rides? I don't actualy soak them in lube.

I wash them in the sink with a good grease cutting detergent like Dawn. Usually gets them clean enough for me.

Dawn does a good job, but I find good old Go Joe or Goop hand cleaner works best. Rub the hand cleaner on the greasy spots and through into a washer when nobody is looking close. Put in your regular laundry soap too.

Yeah. No problem.

I washed a load of shop rags today. It left a greasy black ring inside the washer that I cleaned off with Formula 409.

My mom says NO!

I just wash all the rags in a separate load. A scoop of OxyClean gets the grease out amazingly well...

My instruction manual specifically says that it's NOT ok. It's something about the grease creating fumes that can ignite.

I'm sure people do it, but is it safe/legal/right? i'm talking about all my cleaning rags which are soaked in bike lube. Thanks in advance.

Sure - just fill the washing machine tub with gasoline instead of water so the grease will get dissolved! :p

Sure - just fill the washing machine tub with gasoline instead of water so the grease will get dissolved! :p


I had some roofers tell me that the best way to get rid of tar stains was to pour a few cups of paint thinner in with the wash. Of course this was only done in a laundromat, and not at home.

I had some roofers tell me that the best way to get rid of tar stains was to pour a few cups of paint thinner in with the wash. Of course this was only done in a laundromat, and not at home.

Our kids all worked at our harbor's waterfront seafood restaurant. Their white outfits collected the cooking grease; and despite efforts you just cannot ( no way ) get it all out - but thinking of this scarey paint thinner method - a distant relative - Pine Sol or Lestoil - was suggested. Maybe to add a couple ounces to a load a greasy clothes along with the regular detergent. I think pain thinner is pretty scarey, whether you're connected to sewer or septic system. ( btw my # 2 son is roofing this summer, and comes home looking like a wreck! )

This is right up there with cleaning your bike/engine etc parts in the dishwasher. Some claim it works great but don't let your wife/girlfriend/mom catch you! Many years ago, my son & I found that the (then)new liquid tide detergent produced startlingly clean mechanic overalls. Wife informed us we were using about 5 X the recommended amount per load. Who knew?

My instruction manual specifically says that it's NOT ok. It's something about the grease creating fumes that can ignite. Most instruction manuals are written by flacks who are more concerned about liability than anything else. Ignore 'em.

Funny article in the news a couple months ago about a guy that poured gas into the washer to help clean the rags. Something set the fumes off (cigarette) and the machine blew up on his face! :eek: