Oily Rags - Is it possible to RRR?

[kdabbler]

As I gave my long neglected bicycle it's first lube bath in years, I wondered what to do with the cloth rag I was using after it goes completely black with grease and grime. Do I throw it in the washer? Soak it in the chain degreaser?

What do you do? This question also extends to those of you who drain bacon grease with rags/cloth towels.

[Materfamilias]

:

[lifeguard]

I think this is one item destined for the garbage. If you wash it you are just going to contaminate the water & likely you're machine. Plus, it is unlikely to come very clean without an aggressive chemical cleaner.

[lilyka]

Is the stuff flamable? you could use it as a fire starter.

[sunnysandiegan]

I tend to use my oldest, most stained, most used rags for dirty, greasy jobs like this and pitch them afterwards. My rags have lived a very long life by this point, so I am okay with it.

[Materfamilias]

Maybe call up your local bike shop and ask them what they do with their rags.