Laundry?

Cliff_Johns · May 18, 2004

So, now that I've got a tractor, the obvious question is, how do I get the diesel and grease out of my clothes? I've read here that Simple Green is useful, though I'm not exactly sure what that does to clothes if you soak them in it. What's the technique to get rid of the smell and the stains without destroying the washing machine or the clothes.

I have a front loader washer and I worry that if I soak the clothes in Simple Green that it will generate too much suds which is bad for front loaders. Also if soaking is the prefered technique, how long do you soak them?

If you have to ask someone who actually does the laundry, that's OK. I would appreciate the help.
Cliff

markie61 · May 18, 2004

There was a long post about this within the last year. Most suggestions involved burning.... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Mark

Cliff_Johns · May 18, 2004

Could you point me to that thread. I didn't see it in my search.
Cliff

shoppintractors · May 18, 2004

Check with Bob Skurka...... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Don

Laminarman · May 18, 2004

Cliff

For my coveralls when I work on my cars I presoak in Oxyclean for a while, then wash. I then run the machine empty with detergent to remove any slime. I don't know, however, if you can presoak in a front loader, I don't have one.

I get that thick black grease and oil out pretty good. After a few cycles like this I toss them out and buy another pair (Dickies) at TSC or a local garden center.

Henro · May 18, 2004

I have a front loader washer and I worry that if I soak the clothes in Simple Green that it will generate too much suds which is bad for front loaders. 

Cliff, I thought I heard of everything, but a washer for the front loader?

Something new every day! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I guess too much suds could be bad for the front loader, and the tractor too. I remember some photos posted by 5030 showing a crashed up tractor which resulted from the owner having a few too many... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Cliff_Johns · May 18, 2004

( Cliff, I thought I heard of everything, but a washer for the front loader?
Something new every day! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
)

OK, you got me. That hadn't even crossed my mind. Though now that you mention it, maybe I could use the front loader AS a washing machine. Just fill it with dirty clothes and simple green and drive over bumpy ground. Heck, the bucket's green already.
Cliff

JerryG · May 18, 2004

Heck, the bucket's green already
Sounds pretty "Simple". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wisconsinguy · May 19, 2004

Try this at your own risk but it does work.

Years ago in school we had to wear white coveralls, which got pretty dirty and gray. One of the guys came in with nice white coveralls one day, so we all had to know how to get em clean again. Soak em in unleaded gas he said. So I got a couple gallons of gas on the way home and soaked the coveralls for a few hours. They made it thru the wash ok and looked pretty good but once the dryer lit off it set the fumes in the room off.
Blew all the windows out of the laundry room. Luckily no one was injured and we were asked to please do our laundry somewhere else.

I like the idea of that front loader attachment for laundry anyone have a link or know the price on them.

Phil

KiotiJohn · May 19, 2004

Cliff, I don't know if this does any damage, I haven't noticed any, but I pretreat big grease stains with go go or goop hand cleaner. I put a small amount on a brush and brush it into the stains and when I'm ready, I put them in the wash. Nearly all the stains have come out and I haven't noticed any scum in the washer after. As for the smell, the detergent seems to get most all of the diesel smell out and add dryer softener sheets to make them smell better. John

Egon · May 19, 2004

Have a Greasing set of coveralls and gloves. Use only for greasing or fuelling till they stand by themselves and then discard at a hazardous waste site.

Can soak the soiled items in a pail of hot water with dish washing soap added. Stir occasionally. Discard contents at a hazardous waste site.

Egon

dummy · May 19, 2004

For those of us that have to do our own laundry. The absolute best way is drop-off service at the local laundry mat. Just toss it in a big bag and when you get it back (same day) it is clean, dry and folded. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

markie61 · May 19, 2004

here and
here
Mark

Bob_Skurka · May 19, 2004

( Check with Bob Skurka...... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Don )

Gee Don, now I am the laundry expert? Just because I almost ended up dead, as in murdered by the delicate hand of the lovely Mrs Skurka late one night does not make me a laundry expert. . . it might, however, make me an expert in escaping doom and eternal damnation!

So Cliff, let me get this straight, you didn't review all the posts about diesel and learn from the mistakes of others??? OK first, Markie posted the link to my unfortunate situation. But here is it is again, just because I have been held up again for public ridicule and humiliation : LINK TO BOB'S STUPID DIESEL TRICKS -or- HOW BOB GOT TO LIVE WITH HIS DOGS FOR A FEW NIGHTS!

Now, as for the front loading washing machine, just read my posts very carefully and follow my directions EXACTLY and you will not have any problems. Our machine is also a front loader and suds was not an issue.

GOOD LUCK!

And, just in case you end up in deep trouble, I do offer discounts to TBN members who need to spend a few nights out in the dog house. People often ask why I made my daughter's playhouse so nice, then I send them to the laundry link. But just in case you need it . . . Link to make reservations for extended stays at Bob's kids's playhouse!

rockyridgefarm · May 19, 2004

My farm store sells USED cover alls cheap, now I know why. We have Paper ones at work, that might be handy )i think they're TyVek)

Bob, you should get one of those RV washer/dryers for your daughter's playhouse. You could do research next time you're interred there... Think of of the TBN masses who'd benefit...

Bob_Skurka · May 19, 2004

( Bob, you should get one of those RV washer/dryers for your daughter's playhouse. You could do research next time you're interred there... Think of of the TBN masses who'd benefit... )

Thanks, but I TRY to learn from my mistakes the FIRST time I make them. So while there is limited electricity to the playhouse, there is not any provision to hook up a water line for a washing machine!

Soundguy · May 19, 2004

I keep a 5 gallon bucket out in the barn.. I try to remove all heavy grease with a gasket scraper, and then any greasy or oily/fuel soaked clothes go in there with a healthy amount of dish detergent and simple green and water to soak for a day or so. I agitate it with a stick or broom handle. Only after it has soaked do i dare bring them in the house.. and even then.. they get their own load by themselves.. in hot water.. etc.

Havn't had a problem with smell after that.

Soundguy

OkeeDon · May 19, 2004

Used washing machines are cheap -- I've seen them for $25. If you have water in your garage or barn, you can hook one up easily. Don't even have to have hot water - just use cold water detergent. If you have a sink, you can drain into that, or just drain outside through a hose -- the phophates in most detergents are actually pretty good for landscape watering.

Having your own washing machine for scuddy work clothes -- $25. Keeping your scud out of your wife's machine -- priceless.

rockyridgefarm · May 19, 2004

BINGO! That's the plan!!

My wifes front loader cost ~$1400.00, a typical load of clothes can easily be over $200.00. Dont put that stuff in there...

Soundguy · May 19, 2004

For that washing machine drain.. it's easy to make a
'poor mans ' drainage structure. Um.. hypothetically speaking that is..

Take a 55 gallon drum.. ( plastic works great ). and lay on its side.. cut an outlet on the side opposite the bung..about same height.. ( should have a threaded bung for inlet ).

Bury the 'tank' and attatch your inlet lines with the correct hardware. Use a threaded pvc connection to thread into the hole you cut out as the outlet.. have that pipe run about 3' and drill some holes all over it.. leave the end open.. put some gravel around it.. and cover with gravel... cover with dirt.. works great. This also works pretty decent as a 'hunting camp septic tank' with one modification. On the outlet pipe you screw in.. cut a piece of chicket wire and fold it over the pipe before you screw it in.. this makes a real crude strainer. Another mod you can do is to put a 90' connector onthe end of the pipe aimed down, and add about 3" of pipe to that down pointing section..,then enlarge the outlet hole enough to get that 90' fitting in there, and aimed down. The solids will float above the outlet level until digested.

Add a bag of septic tank beneficial starter bacteria to the first flush.. then it is good to go for limited use.. .. hypothetically speaking that is..

Soundguy