Hey everyone! I've been reading a lot about the fire risks associated with staining rags and used materials like paper towels and vinyl gloves. My question is, if I fill a ziplock bag with water, rags, paper towels, and some gloves, then put that in a metal can, will it be safe? Can the water cause any problems or is it still risky? I've got ziplock bags sitting in the driveway filled with water right now, but I want to make sure I'm handling things safely before throwing them in a metal can tomorrow.
3 Answers
Putting things in water can just complicate things and make a mess. Just lay the rags flat on your garage floor and toss them out once they're dry—shouldn't take long! I've done this before and it worked fine without any issues.
The safest way to handle oily rags is to lay them out flat so they can cure properly; putting them in water just delays that process and can still pose a risk of self-combustion once the water evaporates. It's better to let them air dry to avoid accidents. If space is a worry, maybe try hanging them up with binder clips or storing them outside until they’re fully dried!
Just a heads up, storing oily items like rags in a closed space can cause heat buildup and increase the risk of fire. My advice is to keep them out in the open until they're fully dry instead of trying to drown them in water. I get that you're worried about space or potential stains, but it’s really the safest option. If drying them flat doesn’t seem to work fast enough, consider using old screens to lay them out on.