Tell me about: rags
03-01-07, 07:56 AM
#1
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Tell me about: rags
What kind of material is best for rags? Can it be bought in bulk and cut up?
Do you wash rags? How? Does chain grease and stuff come out, or do they become saturated over time?
How long does a rag tend to last? Does it get EOL'ed due to physical damage, or saturation with grit and oil?
Thanks,
- A guy who wants to stop wasting paper towels
Do you wash rags? How? Does chain grease and stuff come out, or do they become saturated over time?
How long does a rag tend to last? Does it get EOL'ed due to physical damage, or saturation with grit and oil?
Thanks,
- A guy who wants to stop wasting paper towels
03-01-07, 08:05 AM
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I buy shop rags from the Auto parts store or Target. Usually get a bag of like 25 or so, for not a lot of $$. At the shop, we wash and reuse, cause we have a machine. But I would never wash rags in my own washer. Don't want that nastiness getting in my machine. Generally, at the shop, we throw them away when they are ratty w/ holes. At home, once it is full of dirt and grease.
03-01-07, 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by fixed.rider
I buy shop rags from the Auto parts store or Target. Usually get a bag of like 25 or so, for not a lot of $$. At the shop, we wash and reuse, cause we have a machine. But I would never wash rags in my own washer. Don't want that nastiness getting in my machine. Generally, at the shop, we throw them away when they are ratty w/ holes. At home, once it is full of dirt and grease.
) and cut them into convenient pieces. I also toss them once they are dirty...really, really dirty.
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03-01-07, 08:12 AM
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Microfiber towels from Costco, or any department or automotive store.
If I have a bunch of greasy ones to clean, I put it in a bucket with hot water and detergent and let it sit for a day or two, then machine wash by themselves. I have a lot of them so they don't get too dirty.
Before that I used $1.60 bath towels from Walllyworld
If I have a bunch of greasy ones to clean, I put it in a bucket with hot water and detergent and let it sit for a day or two, then machine wash by themselves. I have a lot of them so they don't get too dirty.
Before that I used $1.60 bath towels from Walllyworld
03-01-07, 08:13 AM
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I buy auto rags in bulk, too, but am at home and have washed at home. Prepare to wipe out your washing machine afterwards, though. Use lots of soap & bleach. I throw in lanolin based hand cleaner as well, and use the extra rinse cycle. You may still decide it's better to toss them. This is not something I do when the wife is around.
03-01-07, 08:35 AM
#6
holyrollin'
Paper towels have their place too... I like them for cleanup on paintwork and plating, where cleanliness and noncontamination with grit are important.
As for real rags, any cotton or blended fabric that's outlived its usefulness is suitable. If you use shoprags and wash them for reuse, be very aware of the possibility that a shred of metal can get caught in the rag and scratch up your next job.
As for real rags, any cotton or blended fabric that's outlived its usefulness is suitable. If you use shoprags and wash them for reuse, be very aware of the possibility that a shred of metal can get caught in the rag and scratch up your next job.
03-01-07, 09:00 AM
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
I use old t-shirts (I got a stack 4' high in my closet ) and cut them into convenient pieces. I also toss them once they are dirty...really, really dirty.
) and cut them into convenient pieces. I also toss them once they are dirty...really, really dirty.My landlord put a slop sink in the basement, next to the washer and dryer. When enough of my rags are filthy I will soak them in hot water with a little bleach for a while, then drain that water and soak again in hot water with a little citrus degreaser in it. Then rinse.
03-01-07, 10:07 AM
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Old cloth diapers are the best rags I've used so far.
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03-01-07, 10:12 AM
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+1 for old t-shirts.
My favorite though are old socks. Why? Because they're all fuzzy on the inside.
Big surface area and absorption capacity for cleaning and wiping down stuff. Simply cut them open lengthwise and you have a perfectly sized rag.
I usually get new socks every year or two depending on how fast i've worn out my old stock which means i get a nice stockpile of 24-30 new rags whenever i buy new socks.
My favorite though are old socks. Why? Because they're all fuzzy on the inside.
Big surface area and absorption capacity for cleaning and wiping down stuff. Simply cut them open lengthwise and you have a perfectly sized rag.I usually get new socks every year or two depending on how fast i've worn out my old stock which means i get a nice stockpile of 24-30 new rags whenever i buy new socks.
03-01-07, 10:44 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by GRedner
What kind of material is best for rags? Can it be bought in bulk and cut up?
Do you wash rags? How? Does chain grease and stuff come out, or do they become saturated over time?
How long does a rag tend to last? Does it get EOL'ed due to physical damage, or saturation with grit and oil?
Thanks,
- A guy who wants to stop wasting paper towels
Do you wash rags? How? Does chain grease and stuff come out, or do they become saturated over time?
How long does a rag tend to last? Does it get EOL'ed due to physical damage, or saturation with grit and oil?
Thanks,
- A guy who wants to stop wasting paper towels
I'm an old t-shirt guy too an usually have more than enough. I see no need for me to buy rags. How long do they last? Hmmm, some quite awhile others just once. Depends on what I'm doing and how muh of it I'm doing. For example, with complete overhauls of headsets, hubs, BB, etc on 2 or 3 of my bikes by the time I'm done, that rag has had it.
Socks are good too, but I draw the line at underwear. Even recently washed old underwear is somethimg I just cannot bring myself to use.....especially mine.
03-01-07, 11:41 AM
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My kids have more "lonely socks" than you can imagine. I have a huge bag of old white socks that make great rags. I use 'em for rain-chain wipedowns a few times, then toss 'em.
03-01-07, 12:57 PM
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Cotton is best
Any worn out clothes that are primarily cotton are the most absorbent. Some sythetics will not absorb well. Another source is thrift stores. I picked up some old cotton hospital sheets that were donated to the thrift store for $.25 each. Just like store bought shop towels.
+1 on the diapers as well
Bent
+1 on the diapers as well
Bent
03-01-07, 01:10 PM
#14
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Hehe, I just brought in a bunch of old shirts to the shop today and ripped them up, It's so nice having fresh rags.... but they dont last long where I work.
I usually have two rags for a job a filthy one for wiping the chain, pulley wheels, dirty rims.. pretty much use it as a squeegee for the ****.
And then a cleaner, but still usually dirty, rag to make the bike shiny so the customer is happy when they can actually see the color of their bike.
I usually have two rags for a job a filthy one for wiping the chain, pulley wheels, dirty rims.. pretty much use it as a squeegee for the ****.
And then a cleaner, but still usually dirty, rag to make the bike shiny so the customer is happy when they can actually see the color of their bike.
03-02-07, 08:07 AM
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I can't believe people BUY rags. Our disposable culture. Old t-shirts, boxers, towels, sheets. If you're going to wash them after grease / oil, just don't dry them in the dryer (oil + heat = fire). And don't wash them with something you value (your only nice dress shirt).
03-02-07, 08:17 AM
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Rags: use and lose!
03-02-07, 08:59 AM
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10 pack of shop towels at Costco. Pick up a box of nitrile gloves while you're at it. Assuming your rags are used up .
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