Shopsmith Forums

Probably a silly question but...

Since I've been cleaning this thing, I've got like 20+ waxy rags. Since waxing seems to be an ongoing part of having a Shopsmith, is there something one uses to clean that rags that is vaguely 'environmentally friendly' (or at least won't ruin other stuff in the laundry)?

TIA,

---JC

I do not use rags to apply the wax. I use my fingers. Rags are for buffing(after the solvent dissipates).

I save my old socks and use them to apply wax, just the toe part. A few snips and your fingers have place to go and they last for year and years. I store them in a plastic bag with a twist tie. Once the can is down enough I start storing the sock tip in the can. Once I'm done with the can I part with the sock in the trash, but that is years later. Keep in mind you don't need or want much wax applied.

I use the other part of the sock to buff the wax off, they also last a long long time in that use. Those I let dry and part with them when they get grody looking.

Of course this is easy for me as I only wear white cotton socks. I have about 20 pair and change them every day at least. OK I do have a couple pairs of dress socks but they are not used much at this point in my life.

Ed

Ed's recycled socks sound like a great idea.
I use the blue shop towels that come on a roll, like paper towels but stronger. When they are done, throw them out.
Scott Shop Towels

Howdy,

To answer the original question, I've had good luck running a separate load in the washer with rags, detergent, and Oxyclean. The cleaning removed the oils, waxes, and glue from the rags. Just don't put anything (clothing, etc) else in the washer.

Have fun,
Mike C

I never clean rags in either the woodworking shop or out in the garage. We cut up old clothing and bedding as it wears out and use it as rags until it gets dirty. Then, it goes in the trash. Cleaning rags seems like a waste of time to me.

T shirts make great rags. So good that I hate to toss them. I keep a tub of water handy during glue ups and the rags I use (I'm messy) go in there to soak. Same with rags used for finishing. Other used rags I just toss in a metal container. About once a month, I'll gather them all and wash them in the machine. The wife makes her own detergents with Felsnaptha and Borax and it cleans my rags well.

rpd wrote:Ed's recycled socks sound like a great idea.
I use the blue shop towels that come on a roll, like paper towels but stronger. When they are done, throw them out.
Scott Shop Towels

+1 on the paper towels! Rags are a single use item also. If my wife caught me using the washing machine for oily, waxy rags I'd be shot!

Our house is one of those leftist conspiracies... trash is frowned upon. Of course, so is screwing up the washer.

Thanks for the ideas.

I worked in a machine shop years ago and I know they had some way to clean rags, but it probably involved chemicals that make body parts fall off. Smelled lemony, though.

---JC

suntower wrote:Our house is one of those leftist conspiracies... trash is frowned upon. Of course, so is screwing up the washer.

Thanks for the ideas.

I worked in a machine shop years ago and I know they had some way to clean rags, but it probably involved chemicals that make body parts fall off. Smelled lemony, though.

---JC

Most likely a commercial supplier/launder and did an exchange on a scheduled bases, I bet they where blue or a faded red.