Spontaneous combustion, Am I being paranoid?

[ChesterS]

For years I have been putting my gun cleaning and oily patches and rags in a metal can with a lid. When its full I wet them down before putting them into the trash. I know mineral sprits will definitely spontaneously combust if soaked rags are left in a can. Am I over paranoid with oil change rags and gun cleaning rags?

 

[1911nut]

I do the same. I had foam paint brushes used for oil stain catch fire in a metal can.

 

[Heavy Metal 1]

I think you are prudent. I learned the same safety habit from my father. I wet my soiled patches/rags with some water even though they are in the metal can with a lid. No such thing as too cautious.

 

[M-61]

For years I have been putting my gun cleaning and oily patches and rags in a metal can with a lid. When its full I wet them down before putting them into the trash. I know mineral sprits will definitely spontaneously combust if soaked rags are left in a can. Am I over paranoid with oil change rags and gun cleaning rags?

No. The proper metal can is made for that.
Oily rags, gun cleaning rags soaked with ..x well who knows. Then put them all together.
You’re not paranoid. You’re being safe.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I've seen business and houses burn down because of this. I can take you to 3 within 10 min of my house.

 

[snert]

I toss rags into the driveway, let em air out till I toss em in the trash. No way I am even letting one sit around, can or not

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Cant ever be too paranoid of fires

 

[SecondsCount]

We had a fire at the local fire station from them putting oily rags in the garbage. That was embarrassing for them.

 

[Ned Ludd]

A fire could burn the entire house down. Is it really possible to be "too paranoid" when it comes to fire safety?

 

[Twdmar]

Unless you are using linseed oil or some other drying oil for your gun oil, it shouldn't be necessary.

 

[rjtfroggy]

After 21 years on paid F.D in a city of 110,000 I will say safety first. Metal can with a sealed top (paint can) is usually all that is needed, dispose of it safely.
The worst thing I've seen is saw dust, especially from sanding hard wood floors then put in a plastic bag, next thing you know whole house is burning, because they didn't bring the bag outside away from the house.

 

[thejamesd]

I've always been paranoid, the wife not so much....... don't ask how I finally won an argument!

 

[Fuj]

My first reloading room had shag carpet. Guess what happens
when spillage accumulates then you run a sweeper ?? Of all the
oils not to fool with to leave lying around on a rag is Linseed oil.

 

[joshb]

I have a wood stove in my shop. Every time I put oil on a stock, the used rag goes in it. I know it happens with Linseed oil but I take no chances and include all oils in the dangerous category.

 

[M-61]

Unless you are using linseed oil or some other drying oil for your gun oil, it shouldn't be necessary.

I would not trust that I knew which oils were hazardous. Or cleaning solvents. Or a mixture of both. Thus the can is necessary for me.

 

[K22]

For years I have been putting my gun cleaning and oily patches and rags in a metal can with a lid. When its full I wet them down before putting them into the trash. I know mineral sprits will definitely spontaneously combust if soaked rags are left in a can. Am I over paranoid with oil change rags and gun cleaning rags?

This is a valuable post - refocuses us on the hazards of chemicals and fires. Definitely has motivated me to reassess my disposal of cleaning rags and the like. Thanks.

PS: No, you are NOT paranoid - better to be safe than sorry as the saying goes.

 

[Mark W]

After 21 years on paid F.D in a city of 110,000 I will say safety first. Metal can with a sealed top (paint can) is usually all that is needed, dispose of it safely.
The worst thing I've seen is saw dust, especially from sanding hard wood floors then put in a plastic bag, next thing you know whole house is burning, because they didn't bring the bag outside away from the house.

Oh wow, that’s good info! I never knew that about the sawdust. There’s no telling how many times I’ve cleaned up after a wood working project and just dumped the sawdust in a trash can with a plastic liner.

 

[Mark W]

I've always been paranoid, the wife not so much....... don't ask how I finally won an argument!

It‘s usually the opposite at my house. My wife is super cautious about everything. I always tell her that if she was a safety person, she would keep the job shut down 90% of the time.

 

[SEM]

My dad was a paint maker in the 50s and 60s for Dutch Boy Paints He DRILLED this into my head, as you finish with EACH rag you go out side and spread it out to dry for days not just until it feels dry until it has dissipated all of the vehicle (technical term for solvents) Still had to learn the hard way using an alcohol based stain more than once, The flame is almost invisible. I drive my son nuts still DONT you dare leave that rag in the shop... I kill youuuuu !!!!!

 

[thejamesd]

After 21 years on paid F.D in a city of 110,000 I will say safety first. Metal can with a sealed top (paint can) is usually all that is needed, dispose of it safely.
The worst thing I've seen is saw dust, especially from sanding hard wood floors then put in a plastic bag, next thing you know whole house is burning, because they didn't bring the bag outside away from the house.

Wonder what would happen if you sawed a bunch of styrofoam sheets and put the saw dust from it in the trash with your oily stain rags?