Dealing with cleanup

[Warhauk]

I bought a big bunch of 100% cotton dish cloths for my buffing, dye application, etc. I wasn't sure at first because they aren't the nice smooth kind of rags but so far they seem to be working alright. Maybe I will pick up some of the smoother shop style rags later (recommendations anyone?). I have some questions involving reusable cloth (I'm more of a disposable guy but my paper towels aren't strong enough for some of the stuff and start to fall apart while I'm working). I saw a video from weaver where he just has a neatsfoot rag in a ziplock bag that he uses for application. If color bleeds on to the rag from applying after it has been dyed, is there a high risk of that moving over to a different piece if I use the same rag? Also, how safe is it for me to toss all my dyed up rags into my washing machine? Is there risk of it getting dye all up in there and transferring to the clothes in my next load? I use a variety of dyes, including ecoflo leather dye, ecoflo waterstain, and tandy pro dye.

[Handstitched]

G'Day, this is what I have.

For applying dyes,  and sealers , I have some sheep skin off cuts, cut and trimmed  into 2-3" squares. I thoroughly brush off all the  fluffy/ furry bits before use . Some I can re-use 2-3 times  before they go a bit stiff and unusable.  I use  sheep skin off cuts  for applying oils etc.  I use old newspapers to cover my dying bench , gets changed every week or depending on how 'dyed' it gets. 

Someone gave me a box load of (pink)  sheep skin  off cuts a long time ago, and sometimes my leather supplier will give me  off cuts for nothing . 

For cleaning my hands , my benches ,  machines etc.  and cleaning metal components,   I go through a heap of paper towel . For polishing, I re-use our old bed sheets, old T shirts, etc.  Apart from paper towel, I've never bought cloths .  I also re-use old T towels, bath towels etc. Some cover my machines, some I use to wipe my hands on. 

I try to re-use as much as I can  

HS

[tsunkasapa]

On 12/13/2021 at 9:01 AM, Warhauk said:

Also, how safe is it for me to toss all my dyed up rags into my washing machine? Is there risk of it getting dye all up in there and transferring to the clothes in my next load?

I wash all my dye rags, never had a problem with it getting into the washer. Oil rags I let air dry and throw away. I've always heard oily rags can cause fires. Urban legend? Perhaps, but rags are cheap.

[Warhauk]

8 hours ago, Handstitched said:

G'Day, this is what I have.

For applying dyes,  and sealers , I have some sheep skin off cuts, cut and trimmed  into 2-3" squares. I thoroughly brush off all the  fluffy/ furry bits before use . Some I can re-use 2-3 times  before they go a bit stiff and unusable.  I use  sheep skin off cuts  for applying oils etc.  I use old newspapers to cover my dying bench , gets changed every week or depending on how 'dyed' it gets. 

Someone gave me a box load of (pink)  sheep skin  off cuts a long time ago, and sometimes my leather supplier will give me  off cuts for nothing . 

For cleaning my hands , my benches ,  machines etc.  and cleaning metal components,   I go through a heap of paper towel . For polishing, I re-use our old bed sheets, old T shirts, etc.  Apart from paper towel, I've never bought cloths .  I also re-use old T towels, bath towels etc. Some cover my machines, some I use to wipe my hands on. 

I try to re-use as much as I can  

HS

I was thinking newspapers would work well but wasn't sure if the ink would bleed off the papers onto my leather

[Hags]

I use cheap white cotton washcloths. I box a box full at a garage sale for cheap. They work well for edges and I throw them in the machine with the dog and golf towels. You'll never get the stain out, but who cares? I also get all of the wife's discarded kitchen towels.

Edited December 16, 2021 by Hags
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[Handstitched]

12 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

I've always heard oily rags can cause fires. Urban legend?

Yes, they can cause fires . They can generate their own heat if air is not circulating around them. I guess even more so on a hot day. 

8 hours ago, Warhauk said:

I was thinking newspapers would work well but wasn't sure if the ink would bleed off the papers onto my leather

Never had a issue with ink coming off.  Its mostly for veg tanned leathers, like belts etc. 

HS

[fredk]

18 hours ago, tsunkasapa said:

. . .  I've always heard oily rags can cause fires. Urban legend?

yes, it can happen. Has done to me on several occasions, in distant past when I worked more on vehicles. Fires were contained and dealt with quickly

15 hours ago, Warhauk said:

I was thinking newspapers would work well but wasn't sure if the ink would bleed off the papers onto my leather

Has happened to me. Also magazines ink. Its not so common now though. Printers use a more fast ink than they used to but I don't take the chance. Brown wrapping paper or odd rolls of wall paper can be bought cheaply. Use the back of the wall paper.