Storing clean rags
Keep them in their closed bag or a lidded bin, dry, away from dust and chemicals. One bin per workstation avoids waste.
Storing dirty rags
Rags soaked with oil, solvent, stain or fuel go in a closed metal container, never in a pile. Empty it daily. Why: see oily rags and fire risk.
Washing and reusing
- Only wash lightly soiled rags: water, dust, mild cleaning products.
- Wash them separately, in hot water.
- No fabric softener: it reduces cotton's absorbency.
- Never put a rag that held oil or solvent in a dryer.
When and where to dispose of them
A torn rag, or one soaked with a hazardous product, should be thrown out. Rags contaminated with paint, solvents or oils are hazardous waste: households take them to an ecocentre, and businesses use a specialized waste pickup company. Check your municipality's rules.