If oil spills from the paper towels, they are considered free liquids and must be handled as used oil according to OAC chapter 3745-279. The free-flowing used oil can be removed and maintained as used oil. Before you toss the dry paper towels in the garbage, you must once again analyze them to see if they are harmful.
What do you do with paper towels that have been drenched with gas?
There are only two ways to properly dispose of rags that contain flammable materials on them.
You can either let them dry out (flattening them out rather than balling them up) or put them in a special container (typically filled with water) meant for these materials. They should then be taken to a local waste management facility to be disposed of (county, city, etc.).
How do you get rid of rags that have been soaked in solvent?
Do you think those oily rags you used to work on the car or refinish the deck are safe? The majority of people believe this, and they are gravely misguided. If oil-soaked rags are not properly disposed of, they can cause considerable damage. A pile of oily rags placed together in a garage corner or stored in a box can suddenly combust.
That’s accurate, the rags can slowly generate heat, then self-ignite and start a fire. The fire might then quickly spread to the rest of the neighborhood. This may seem implausible, yet UL and the Wilmette, Illinois, fire department collaborated on a demonstration.
What kind of oils are we talking about?
Let’s start with the kind of oils that are dangerous. Consider the following do-it-yourself projects: changing the oil in your automobile, priming cabinets using oil-based paint primers, staining furniture, or repainting your backyard deck. While all oil-soaked rags are a fire hazard, some oils, such as linseed oil, are more likely to self-ignite than others. In addition, the rags you use to clean up spills and wipe down instruments should be properly disposed of.
- Primer, sealer, paint, white-pigmented shellac, paint thinner, turpentine, mineral spirits, and denatured alcohol are all oil-based chemicals.
The science behind it
“Combustible oil-soaked rags produce and release energy and heat,” said Bob Backstrom, fire research manager of UL’s Retail and Industrial Research and Development. “When rags are firmly packed in a restricted space, there’s an effect of insulating the pile. The energy and added heat can’t dissipate fast enough and the temperature of the oil-soaked rags increase.
“Imagine an active toddler strapped in a car seat on a long road trip,” Backstrom continued. The youngster experiences an emotional response, his or her energy levels rise, and he or she becomes so stressed that a reaction occurs. In the instance of a youngster, they will release their frustrations by sobbing and throwing a tantrum because they want to be free. The oils in oil-soaked rags undergo a chemical reaction that produces excessive heat, which ignites into fire. This occurs without the use of an external source of ignition, such as heat from the environment or a flame.”
It happens more than you know
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), greasy rags cause an average of 900 home fires per year, and spontaneous combustion or chemical reactions cause an average of 1,700 home fires each year.
The steps to prevent fires from oil-soaked rags
Let these three words stay with you if you recall nothing else from this article: dry, dunk, dispose. When you’re done with a cloth that’s been used to apply or clean up chemicals or oils, follow the dry, dunk, dispose procedure to safely dispose of it. Having a UL-certified oily waste container on hand also helps to lessen the risk of a fire.
Lay the rags out on the driveway, garage floor, or sidewalk to dry individually, or hang them out to dry. Make sure there’s at least a half-foot between each one. If you’re indoors, make sure there’s enough airflow. Allow the oils to dry. This aids the release of heat and energy into the atmosphere.
After they’ve dried, moisten them again, this time with water. Dip each rag in a container of water separately. This could be a pail of water, an empty coffee can, or an empty paint can. You can also flood them with the yard hose or drown them in a utility sink.
Discard the greasy water if you dipped the rag in an old coffee or paint container. Fill it with clean water, insert the rag, and close the lid. If you don’t have an old can, fill a resealable bag halfway with water, then submerge the rag inside. Then, to identify the nearest hazardous waste disposal drop-off, call your local garbage facility.
If all of that was too much for you, here’s a movie to help you recall the most crucial points. UL and the Wilmette, Illinois fire department have collaborated to bring you this event.
What do you do with rags that have been drenched with motor oil?
People are unaware that oily rags can spontaneously combust, which makes them a fire hazard. Rags can be safely disposed of in two steps:
- Hang them to dry in a safe location outside, or lay them out flat and weight them down. They should not be piled together.
- Place dry rags in a designated oily waste container to be emptied by a private contractor if you use oily rags daily or weekly.
- Dry rags should be stored in a small, airtight, non-combustible (metal) container with a tight-fitting cover for less regular users. A excellent example is an old paint can. Cover the rags completely with a solution of water and an oil breakdown detergent. No more combustible materials should be added. During a hazardous trash collection event, dispose of the container.
What do you do with a rag that has been used to clean up gasoline spills?
What do you do with a rag that has been used to clean up gasoline spills? It should be stowed in the bilge.
Is it possible for gas-soaked rags to spontaneously combust?
When they’re folded or tossed into a mound, oxygen is trapped beneath them. Heat, oxygen, and a filthy cloth can all combine to cause spontaneous combustion, resulting in a fire that might damage your home. This is why it’s critical to dispose of oily or gas-soaked rags appropriately.
What is the best way to get rid of denatured alcohol rags?
Don’t throw your denatured alcohol waste out with the trash. Take it to an approved disposal site. Learn where and when hazardous waste materials can be brought for disposal by contacting your local waste disposal provider, such as the city landfill.
Is it possible for solvent-soaked rags to spontaneously combust?
Oil-soaked rags pose a risk of spontaneous combustion because heat is released as the oil oxidizes. If the heat is not released, it might build up and ignite the rags. Oil-soaked rags should be stored in special oily-waste cans. These containers allow air to circulate around the rags, allowing the heat to dissipate. Plastic liners should not be used in the trash cans, and they should be emptied on a daily basis.
Although solvent-soaked rags may not cause spontaneous combustion, they can cause fires since many solvents are combustible. Furthermore, the solvents may evaporate, posing a health risk. To limit evaporation and the risk of someone tossing a lighted cigarette onto the rags and starting a fire, place solvent-soaked rags in closed containers. The solvent should be allowed to evaporate outside and the bottle should be emptied daily.
- Establish a company policy that tells rag users when, when, and how they should use, store, transport, and launder their rags.
- Do not use rags to wipe up spills since they may react with the solvents already present in the rags, requiring them to be disposed of as hazardous waste.
- While accumulating rags for laundering, use adequate oily-waste containers (these are metal receptacles with lids and ventilated bottoms).
How long do oily rags take to catch fire?
Any rags or cloths left in a pile, bin, or bag have the potential to self-heat, posing a fire hazard. The fire investigator should evaluate the possibility that rags left moist with drying oil for an extended period of timefrom an hour to two or three dayscould be a source of ignite.
Dr. Mann has specialized in the investigation of fire and explosion causes since joining Hawkins in 2006. The scale of these accidents ranged from relatively little household fires to big business fires. Her education in chemistry makes her ideally placed to understand chemical interactions as a cause of fire, and she has carried out several post-fire contamination investigations throughout the world.
Is it possible for oily paper towels to spontaneously combust?
Oily paper towels have the potential to combust if not properly disposed of, albeit this is highly unusual.
In reality, the most prevalent types of spontaneous combustion are caused by inappropriate disposal of various oil-soaked materials!
When the oil in the paper towel is steadily heated up to its ignition temperature by oxidation, combustion occurs.
The oil (being a flammable liquid) will combust and catch fire when it reaches the ignition temperature, which can be extremely dangerous for you and your family.
After an oil change, what do you do with the oily rags?
Working on your car is, let’s face it, a filthy business. Oil, coolant, grease, petrol, and other automotive fluids combine to form a sloppy situation. Chemicals include intake cleaners, brake cleaners, and fuel system treatments. You’ve accumulated a pile of dirty vehicle rags by the time you’ve finished a work and are ready to hit the road.
To be sure, cleaning up is necessary, but chemicals can be hazardous, so what do you do with those filthy vehicle rags?
Dangers of Dirty Rags
Almost every chemical used in automobiles is harmful in some form. Engine oil, transmission fluid, gear oils, and power steering fluid have been related to skin cancer and can irritate the skin and eyes. Even worse, used motor oil contains combustion by-products and chemicals like lead, zinc, and even arsenic. Ethylene glycol coolant and glycol-based braking fluid are deadly but delicious to the taste, causing wild animals and household pets to become ill and die.
Although some chemicals, such as brake cleaner and intake cleaner, dry rapidly, the cloths used to clean up may not. You could wind up with a potentially combustible situation if you use the same rags to mop up brake fluid and motor oil. The chemicals in your dirty vehicle rags can heat up as they evaporate, but if they’re bunched up, there’s nowhere for the heat to escape, which could lead to spontaneous combustion.
Disposal Options
You have a few options when it comes to getting rid of those filthy rags. Do not pile rags on the floor to dry; this will trap any heat generated during the drying process. Leaving dirty rags out in the open attracts curious fingers and noses, so start by storing them somewhere out of the way, at least until you figure out what to do with them. Consider a gear designed for the job, such as a compact oily rag waste bin, for temporary dirty automobile rag storage. The lid closes automatically to restrict fumes and air movement to a minimum, lowering the risk of spontaneous combustion and poisoning. Still, storage is only a short-term solution.
When you have rags to get rid of, you must properly dispose of them. Don’t just toss them out with the trash. You might be able to wash the rags in hot water with a powerful detergent if they are only faintly dirty. It’s better to have rags that are lightly to heavily soiled washed by professionals or sent to a hazardous waste disposal center near you.
Rag disposal, whether caustic or combustible, can be a challenge. You don’t want a used rag to end up in your child’s hands or, worse, to start a tiny fire. In your DIY vehicle repair activities, learning how to dispose of these filthy rags should be a top priority.
Check out NAPA Online for a complete list of tools and equipment, or visit one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare facilities for routine maintenance and repairs. Consult a qualified specialist at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store for further information on how to dispose of your dirty car rags and other options.