Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ

How do you wash your dirty mechanics clothes

Old 07-13-2017, 11:22 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
OldTires's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Eastern Long Island, NY
Posts: 952
Received 55 Likes on 50 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 Cyl / 4L
Default How do you wash your dirty mechanics clothes

I ask only to find a better method.

I wear old t-shirts and sweat pants when I work on the Jeep. I use long sleeves when the job is really greasy and I have to reach around dirty areas. They also protect me against the mosquitoes in the summer.

When the clothes get so dirty I can't even sit down inside the house without leaving a grease stain on the furniture, I fill a 5 gallon bucket with hot water, lots of detergent (whatever I have on hand) and soak the clothes in there for about an hour. Then I rinse them out a few time and let them dry. I don't throw them in the washing machine cause I don't want auto grease to get in the washing drum.
Old 07-13-2017, 12:51 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
tacklebox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Central KS
Posts: 539
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Old thin shop coveralls for the really dirty jobs. Soak similar as mentioned, rinse with pressure washer and hang outside to dry as needed. I can wear them quite awhile before they get bad enough for a wash.


I keep my engine and undercarriage as clean as possible, as well as my garage floor so most jobs don't get me terribly dirty.
Old 07-13-2017, 01:51 PM
  #3  
Banned
 
nujeepguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 2000 and 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

i saw a video of a guy who washed them in gas then took them to a laundramat to dry them. the building was spread out for a block. he died.

dont use gas!!!
Old 07-13-2017, 04:04 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
investinwaffles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

Pre soak them in hot water with degreaser and then hose them off on the street or driveway. I do that twice while agitating them, in a 5 gallon bucket. Then I take it to the local laundromat and wash them as usual

Lots of times I will go to Goodwill and get some $1 shirts and pants. I just chuck them or cut them up and use em as rags after they are super dirty.

I'm not allowed to sit on the indoor furniture if I have my garage clothes on
Old 07-13-2017, 04:22 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
OldTires's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Eastern Long Island, NY
Posts: 952
Received 55 Likes on 50 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 Cyl / 4L
Default

Originally Posted by investinwaffles
I'm not allowed to sit on the indoor furniture if I have my garage clothes on
I know I shouldn't, but I can't help it sometimes. AC, recliner, and a cold soda is a great refuge when working under the Jeep.

Great ideas on the clothes washing, guys.

Thank you.
Old 07-13-2017, 06:49 PM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
TrailerTrash's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Hangover, PA
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
Received 623 Likes on 465 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Hot water and Dawn dishsoap works well. add a splash of Purple Power for really greasy stuff. regular laundry detergent really dont cut it most of the time lol
Old 07-13-2017, 08:23 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
moparado's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: usa
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
Default

Ha, here's my solution, like it or not.

I keep a dedicated worn-torn-jagged pair of jeans & T-shirt for wrenching on my vehicles.
When i'm done i hang them up in the basement until the next dirty job.

After a few months, once those clothes become way too grimy for even wrenching, i toss them in the trash.
Washing problem solved!

Then the next pair of ragged-torn-worn clothes are next on the list.
A cool way to recycle worn-torn-jagged clothes.

Of course this method won't work if one only has one pair of pants and a lonely T-shirt.
Old 07-13-2017, 08:29 PM
  #8  
::CF Administrator::
 
Rogue4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Blunt, South Dakota
Posts: 14,465
Received 770 Likes on 524 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Originally Posted by OldTires
I ask only to find a better method.

I wear old t-shirts and sweat pants when I work on the Jeep. I use long sleeves when the job is really greasy and I have to reach around dirty areas. They also protect me against the mosquitoes in the summer.

When the clothes get so dirty I can't even sit down inside the house without leaving a grease stain on the furniture, I fill a 5 gallon bucket with hot water, lots of detergent (whatever I have on hand) and soak the clothes in there for about an hour. Then I rinse them out a few time and let them dry. I don't throw them in the washing machine cause I don't want auto grease to get in the washing drum.
One word. Laundromat.
Originally Posted by tacklebox
Old thin shop coveralls for the really dirty jobs. Soak similar as mentioned, rinse with pressure washer and hang outside to dry as needed. I can wear them quite awhile before they get bad enough for a wash.


I keep my engine and undercarriage as clean as possible, as well as my garage floor so most jobs don't get me terribly dirty.
X2. Keep it clean and you don't have near as much mess.
Originally Posted by nujeepguy
i saw a video of a guy who washed them in gas then took them to a laundramat to dry them. the building was spread out for a block. he died.

dont use gas!!!
Honestly. Who would do this. If you do, you deserve what you have coming.
Originally Posted by investinwaffles
Pre soak them in hot water with degreaser and then hose them off on the street or driveway. I do that twice while agitating them, in a 5 gallon bucket. Then I take it to the local laundromat and wash them as usual

Lots of times I will go to Goodwill and get some $1 shirts and pants. I just chuck them or cut them up and use em as rags after they are super dirty.

I'm not allowed to sit on the indoor furniture if I have my garage clothes on
Good advice.

Bottom line is use clothing you don't GAS about, and if it's too soiled for the home wash, laundromat. Do whatever pre-wash stuff you like, but a good dose of oxyclean with detergent is ok in my book.

I take all my rags to the laundromat as well. No way I'm gonna put that junk in my machine, LOL
Old 07-14-2017, 09:22 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: York PA
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
Default

Originally Posted by roninofako
I take all my rags to the laundromat as well. No way I'm gonna put that junk in my machine, LOL
Huh, so you're the guy ruining the machines at the laundromat? Putting damn brown grease stains in the seat of my undies.
Old 07-14-2017, 10:05 PM
  #10  
::CF Administrator::
 
Rogue4x4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Blunt, South Dakota
Posts: 14,465
Received 770 Likes on 524 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy
Huh, so you're the guy ruining the machines at the laundromat? Putting damn brown grease stains in the seat of my undies.
Yup. No shame here.
Old 07-15-2017, 05:34 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Rambler65's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Abysmo, NJ
Posts: 893
Received 56 Likes on 45 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Oh, you guys wash yours?
Old 07-15-2017, 05:43 PM
  #12  
Beach Bum
 
SteveMongr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Posts: 6,123
Received 20 Likes on 19 Posts
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Another vote for hot water and dish soap, it is a degreaser.
Old 07-15-2017, 09:16 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
moparado's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: usa
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
Default

Originally Posted by Rambler65
Oh, you guys wash yours?
Yeah, i don't get it either!
Old 07-15-2017, 10:05 PM
  #14  
Beach Bum
 
SteveMongr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Posts: 6,123
Received 20 Likes on 19 Posts
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I understand not washing hunting clothes.
But it's a good idea to wash your wrenching clothes or throw them away once contaminated. Automotive fluids are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. One of the most hazardous is ATF. And brake fluid is caustic.
If I get a bunch of ATF on my shirt, it goes straight to the trash or burn pit.
Old 07-16-2017, 10:08 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
moparado's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: usa
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
Default

Originally Posted by SteveMongr
I understand not washing hunting clothes.
But it's a good idea to wash your wrenching clothes or throw them away once contaminated. Automotive fluids are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. One of the most hazardous is ATF. And brake fluid is caustic.
If I get a bunch of ATF on my shirt, it goes straight to the trash or burn pit.
If my shirt gets ATF soaked or with other hazardous chemicals, its goes straight into the garbage!
No great loss, the shirt was old, worn and torn.

Don't want any hazardous chemicals or contaminates in my septic tank.... other than my own sometimes hazardous sch!tt that is.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 AM.