How to Safely Store and Dispose of Stain Soaked Rags - Woodworking and DIY

[@grandolddrummer]

Good tips here. When I lay towels/rags flat, I do it away from everything on the concrete floor overnight. Also, every shop definitely needs a fire extinguisher.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Yes! I should have mention the fire extinguisher.

[@bccabernet]

Great video! I am about to stain my table for the first time with gel stain and I didn't even think about it potentially combusting. I was going to leave it out in a bucket on the balcony (that never gets the sunshine) and then toss into the garbage. I am in an apartment, so I don't have a garage or driveway. I wished all staining videos had this warning in them... it's quite important information!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thanks! Always best to be safe!!!!

[@briankinnaman6532]

You know what, this is something I know I should be taking into consideration but just haven’t paid much attention to. I absolutely should be taking this seriously so thank you for sharing this, brother!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Absolutely! I hope it’s helpful to some because this can be a real issue. I don’t think a lot of people realize that this actually can happen.

[@greatgrandpaswoodworking]

Great information. I use only water base stains and paints for these reasons. Even then I put them in a metal can with water, and yes fire extinguishers should be kept around the house and shop for additional safety.

[@petebacon2298]

Thanks, really helpful! Quick question, do you ever re-use rags for applying oil/stain etc? E.g. soak with water then dry as described here, but then re-use? Or do you replace each time? Thanks!

[@TroyDake]

Thanks for bringing up the reminder!

[@danmoyer8191]

Good tips! I once disposed of oily rags in plastic dumpster that sat outside my garage. Being garbage day, I rolled the dumpster to the curb. Later in the morning I noticed smoke coming out of dumpster. Lesson learned. If I had not seen the smoke, the dumpster, with other trash, could've have ignited. If I had not moved the dumpster to the curb, it could have ignited next to the house. Good tips here in other comments. I have a chain link fence in my back yard. A few spring clamps and the fence will make a good place to dry out rags. In the mean time, like rainy days, I'll keep them inside a airtight metal container until I can dry them out.

[@havocproltd]

Ive always known about this. And, I was assigned to the World Famous Army Burn Unit - they know a little about fire. I'm a small piece laser guy so all of my staining and other organic chemical use is typically with very small rags. Im also a serious glove wearer. So, at the end of application I wad the rags into my palm and, following sterile procedure remove the glove ending with the first glove sealed inside the second. As with the ziplock bag method the O2 component of the combustion triangle is removed and the stochiometric ratio cannot be reached. forever I have seem metal cans with self-closing lids used in factory workshops. They act the same way, cutting off the air supply and containg the whole dangerous mess. check your ulone and granger catalogs. Excellent video friend!

[@ifiwooddesigns]

In my profession, I’ve learned that many petroleum products can combust. I deal with chlorine and it quickly heats and begins smoldering when crumpled up in rags or tissues. We always rinse it well and hang rags outdoors. As a hobbyist, I didn’t consider staining to be an issue until I reached for a rag and it was pretty warm. Good video! Sometimes we overlook safety. Luckily I went to check my basement after your video and found a huge new supply of CA glue I lined up on a wooden shelf. Even though they were new and not opened, I separated them and placed them on a metal shelf. I’d never think CA could be affected, but I’d rather not find out the hard way.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Yeah, chlorine can really be dangerous when mixed with the wrong stuff. That’s for sure. Thanks for the comment and I hope that comments like this and the video help someone be a little safer 👊👊

[@Vintagestuffisjustbetter]

It’s cute that they make it nearly impossible to see that warning.

[@lisaalbrecht7900]

Thanks! I was just wondering what I should be doing with my rags after I stain my current project. Now I know!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

So glad it was helpful, Lisa! Thank you!

[@richragan4810]

Wow Jess thanks so much! I've never given any of this the thought it obviously deserves. Though I truly miss youvideos more often I continue to learn from you. Thanks again Jess. Pease be with you!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thanks Rich! I’m trying to get more out in a timely manner moving forward!

[@43srgrock]

Awesome tip,and a very good video to post. Thanks👍🏼

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thanks Thomas!👊👊

[@jonmhayden]

Hey stupid question. When can you actually dispose of them? You throw them in a water filled container and leave them there. Then what? When are they safe to throw in garbage? Does water make them safe to throw away?

[@andrazburlak3732]

Water prevents combustion. However that doesnt mean it wont combust. Rag will not absorb any water most of the time because its full of oil. So the best thing to do is to put it outside somwhere and leave it for few days ( 2-3 days). Then you can dispose them. I hope i helped you.

[@jampuppy]

So what do you do with the water after rinsing? Also, is the rag reusable after sitting in the plastic bag or do you throw it out?

[@fosteredwoodworks]

Great video! Thanks for raising the awareness.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thank you!

[@mnmike59]

Great reminder, Thanks!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

👊👊👊

[@sumosprojects]

Cool tips mate, I’ve really gone to water based finishes & Waxes as some of these other ones are potent & can as you say catch fire, cheers from Australia 🍺🇦🇺👍

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Not a bad idea! Cheers!

[@kdtrimble]

I appreciate this information. Now I will head off to find out the why and how this happens...

[@HighRPMCreations]

Did you find out? My understanding is that as the oil dries, it generates heat (apparent not just a little), and given the right combination of available oxygen and something that can catch fire easily (rag, paper, wood shavings, etc), it sometimes does.

[@jennymerrin3948]

After following the precautions you've outlined in your video can I throw my towels away in the garbage? What are some other methods for disposal out there? Also, have you ever washed your stain rags in warm soapy water (in the Utility tub for example), dried and then reused them?

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

I would not throw them in the garbage unless they have been laid flat and dried or soak and cleaned before hand. You can soak them and wash them to reside with little issues I would say

[@kurtiswilliams6629]

Great Video, I don't even know that many woodworkers IRL and I know a guy who burned down his shop this way. Question about your preferred method. with the ammo can, do you still take them out later and dry them over a garbage can or what. Kinda seemed like you presented those as either or.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Yea, the next day or so I’ll take them out and lay them flat to dry. I typically just throw them in there and leave them when it’s late evening or night in the shop and I just finished staining. That’s typically when I work hahah. I didn’t really elaborate well on that. Thanks

[@lostinadream1866]

When I used to finish my own cabinets in my shop, the rags always went into a water bucket, fear always grips me with stuff like that, my bad luck always leaves me with the worst case scenario actually happening to me :O yep, glad nothing bad happened to you man!!!!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

That’s a simple and effective way to make sure they are safe! Thanks!

[@mattarnold3847]

My grandpa always put his in the wood stove he used the blue paper shop towels. I don't have a wood shop but I do charge Lipo rc car batterys in a ammo can.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

That’s a good idea with those!!!

[@theyack789]

Hi, bit late to the party but do you ever wash and reuse them? And if so how do you wash the oil out? Many thanks.

[@joshhavens3450]

I usually just suck them up with my dust collector. Just kidding! 😂 just found your channel not long ago really great stuff thanks for making this video because we can never be too safe in the shop and in all seriousness I usually take mine out to the burn barrel but I live in the country anyway great video thanks.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thank you for your support! The burn out is always the best way to go!

[@Strampunch]

Thank you for the excellent tips! (the army can sounds like a perfect alternative to an empty paint buckets to keep the contents sealed tight, but with the added benefit of being easier to reopen than an paint can lid). I have an extra question, if I want to throw the rags away instead of keeping and reusing them though: Is there something we can add to the water to break down the oil and make it even safer? Or treat the rag with something (like turpentine?) before washing so the oil is broken down? cheers!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thanks! That’s an excellent question but one I have no answer for. Might have to do some research on that one!

[@mosfet500]

Thanks, I didn't know about the CA glue.

[@johnclavis]

So what about after you put them in your water-filled ammo can? Do you just keep them like that forever, sitting in your driveway? I'd like to know how to discard the oily rags, not how to safely keep them on my property until I'm dead.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

I’m sorry, Keeping them on your property until you pass from this world is the only way they will not catch fire. 🙄 once they have soaked in the water they can be laid flat to dry and then discarded.

[@johnclavis]

@@PenaltyBoxWoodshop lol dang, I was hoping to start an oily rags collection, like Ron Swanson

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Hahaha

[@chrisrand9346]

When I was a few months old my grandmother and grandfather had just finished staining the kitchen after three years and when they were done they threw the rags out and it was about 104 degrees outside and the trash caught fire in the garage and it caught the house which was attached to the house and burned the house down which is why I have a fear of attached garages

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Man, that’s crazy and very sad.

[@12jamm]

Good one. May save someone from a bad accident.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Thanks Jimmy!!!

[@nelsonted1]

I get in a panic sometimes and need small pieces of wood that aren't dry so I use the microwave. Had smoldering smoke twice. I sit in a chair right in front of the window when I do it. Both times I was using full power. I know better but still. Screwing up is very easy and sometimes the bill can be really high

[@barzalou]

Thank you!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Welcome!

[@moejr14]

How should you store the can of oil?

[@patrickhenry240]

My burn pit is between my shop and the house. Easy disposal but the rags have never started the scraps on fire. I still have to fire it up every so often.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Oh yeah, hard to beat that disposal! Haha. I would think that being outside would help the fumes dissipate and have less of a chance to heat up. But I’m no scientist haha.

[@vclocals5536]

What if i dont have an empty metal container...?

[@JohnColgan.]

I think the CA glue has a low vapour point, but not necessarily smoke from combustion. CSIs use CA glue vapours for highlighting finger prints without combustion.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

That’s exactly right! After researching it more it says that it will smoke but not flame (in simple terms)

[@kourtswithak]

Out of curiosity, instead of living with the anxiety of the rags spontaneously combusting, could I just burn them purposely?

[@kristinb9420]

Thank you so much

[@nicksgarage8295]

noice... fire stonks go brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

🤔😂 Hope you enjoyed it. Haha

[@tro8191]

Oops! Duh... I feel stupid! Definitely gotta pay more attention to this. If I’ve got no metal container... soaking them in water and laying out flat on concrete garage floor til they dry... an OK idea??? Once their dry can you just toss em in the garbage? Anyone??

[@enzprintco.8625]

I had a big cyanoacrylate (CA) glue bottle crack. Spilled about 5-6 ounces. Caught the spill with a piece of cardboard and some paper towels. The paper towels started to really smoke after about 5 minutes and smelt like death 💀 !!! Scooped it out of the garbage, threw it outside and hit it with some water from a spray bottle I keep in my shop. If I walked away after that spill, my shop might be gone....crazy! I feel not enough people know about this! These companies need to put that one warning on the front of the can...or something. Stay safe everyone!!! :)

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Oh man! That’s a lot of CA Glue! My spill smoked pretty good so I can only imagine what yours did

[@zacharystarr3004]

Restraining a floor and I walked outside for a couple mins and walked back inside to see them black and smoking like crazy, usually I use water based stains so I didn’t think anything of it and I was trying to figure out how it happened

[@XMAWally]

Can also use an old one gallon paint can with some water in it.

[@A3osDorados]

Today I will put a wire or metal pipe to hang the towel to dry like a cloth line. Old fashion drier.

[@MohammedNatheer]

My shop has full side floor to ceiling glass and it hot in here reach over 40 degrees (110 f), nothing fancy but that's what I got 🙄

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

That’s hot!

[@MohammedNatheer]

Oh forgot to say, is that enough for me to keep the shop safe ?!!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

I don’t understand how a glass wall would keep you safe from spontaneous combustion...

[@MohammedNatheer]

Sorry I keep eating my words, I mean the tips in your video will keep the shop safe?, Shall I store the finishing materials in a different area

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Yes the tips should work well in keeping the rags in a safe place

[@martyvanord984]

Good topic but what about stage two? How do you dispose of the contents of the amo can?? LOL I am sure that you do not have multiple amo boxes sitting out side of the house. If laid out flat on metal, how long before you can dispose in the garbage??

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Once it sits over night it can be rung out and laid out to dry. Over night of laying out flat (once it’s dry) then it should be good to go as far as disposal goes.

[@gt8254]

@@PenaltyBoxWoodshop How do you then dispose of the oily/dirty water in the ammo box?

[@GaryBowen73]

Came here to say I keep mine in an ammo can and got here to see you keep yours in an ammo can.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Hahaha awesome!

[@roberthuskey4950]

Just came by too look at the floor .someone laid a rag with stain on top of the shop vacuum the shop vacuum is no longer amongst the living but the house was saved by the grace of God .

[@mauricemcloughlin8261]

Holy crap

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Hahaha

[@scottf725]

This is probably a stupid question, but water based doesn't have that issue, right?

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

It does not. The only stupid questions are the ones not asked

[@nelsonted1]

I throw them on the ground outside the shop. Never go in a pail garbage can. I am paranoid. In the early 1960s our church alter.was being renovated and restained. In the pail went the rags and the church burned down

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

Oh that’s terrible! Always safe that sorry!

[@josephdestaubin7426]

I lost 80k worth uf tools, my life's work, from a fire two years ago from a linseed oiled rag combustion fire. At 50 years old, there is no war I will ever recover. Whats crazy, is that I hadn't done anything I hadn't done a hundred times before. It was just a really hot day and thats that. Now I am just waiting to die. My point is, even if you think your safe because you have never had a broblem, it only takes once to take away everything.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

That’s very sad to hear and I hope that you can recover from that. How did you dispose of the rags?

[@josephdestaubin7426]

@@PenaltyBoxWoodshop Not a chance. My rig, an E350 cutaway, was stolen in 2007 and emptied of tools. I had just replaced the last of the lost tools three months before the fire. In any event, the source of combustion was most likely the wood deck of the truck, where there was spillage from mixing the linseed oil with Kerosene. I typically mix solvents in the back of the truck so as not to stain my costumers drive or roadway. In any event, None, everything you said about the dangers of solvent and rags is more true than I would have imagined.

[@jimwilson2738]

I just hang them on the clothes line after use.

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

That’s a great solution as well

[@FlightCrewCustom]

Thank you!

[@PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

👊👊👊