What do you do with your spent cleaning chemicals?

Not for nuthin, but how much used chemisty are you generating?

When I clean EVERYTHING once or twice a year (3 AR, 1 Bolt .308, 2 1911, 1 revolver, 1 Mini 14, 1 SUB2000, 1 9mm pistol, 2 12ga Shotgun) I end up with a fair bit of waste, but most of the chemicals are soaked up with rags and such in the bag... I don't really end up with any left over liquid.

My rags, I do soak in a bucket for a few days then run through the washer/dryer. I'd be a little cautious about a septic tank, as you want it to stay biologically active so the natural bacteria can break down the waste.

You need to be more specific at to what 'chemicals' you're using.

I mostly use GI RBC (surplus) or soapy water to clean. RBC soaked patches go in the trash, soapy water can go down the pipes.

I'd be leery of dumping any petroleum based cleaners down the pipes, myself.

BSW

All my used up rags patches and any other burnable trash gets just that, burned.

I don't use any spray can cleaners. Too much waste, too messy, and I dislike paying for a steel can and compressed gas.

If I want compressed gas I can turn on the news on TV.

LK

I guess I didn't think of using rags to soak it up...

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Sounds to me like you are way over-doing it on the solvent use.

I can clean any gun I own on the kitchen table on an old newspaper without needing rags to "sop it up" when I get done. Just roll up the newspaper & dirty patches when I get done and throw it in the trash.

A bottle of solvent should last you a year or so, even if you shoot all the time!

BTW: Don't put anything in your septic tank that nature didn't intend to be put in there!

rc

I usually burn mine..........

I let all mine run into used oil pan & then goes to get recycled with the oil.

Some of us soak military auto rifle parts in a solution like Ed's Red or GI Bore cleaner, etc., after heavy or extended use, which can indeed generate a couple of quarts or even a gallon of waste solvent in a year's time. So the OP's question is a good one and does not necessarily indicate that he is overdoing it on solvent.

I was stumped on the same subject and really appreciate the tip on soaking it up in rags.

JayPee

O.K. then.
Just recycle it with used motor oil if you have that much.
Auto-Zone, Pep Boys etc. will all take it free of charge.

As for using rags?
Thats fine, as long as you do something with them in between times beside pile them on the garage floor.

You need to have an airtight steel container to put the rags in.

More then one house fire has started in a stack of solvent soaked painters rags catching on fire through spontaneous combustion.

rc

I live in the woods too. And I shoot and clean on a weekly basis.

Do not throw them down into your septic tank. I just replaced my leach field because the old owner used to flush grease down there...,,, it is no fun.

I burn the patches and small rags in the wood stove most of the time. ( I have a 5 gallon metal can with a lid in my shop) Larger amounts of tainted liquids get tossed into the occasional brush burn pile. Or get tossed into my 55 gallon drum Burn Barrel.

Our local dump has hazard chemical day every couple of months. I generate lots of used aircraft oil during the summer months. But found a local hangar where they use it for heating the shop area.

Never mix anything with used motor oil.There are heating systems that burn used oil, and if there is anything in with the oil it can't be used.:banghead:

Never put those chemicals in the septic, or you will be spending several times your gun hobby on septic services

Save your liquid chemicals and use as fire starter? Burn the rags after the fire gets going.

I use frog lube... it's non toxic... so, I don't worry about using chemicals...

#10 is right. #14 is wrong. "Heating oil?" O.K.

A good hot fire.

I never worry about toxic chemicls.

I use this:

Aqua Kleen
Water-based, biodegradable, industrial
strength cleaner/degreaser designed
specifically for use in parts washing
equipment. This product has been
developed with the latest technology in
low-foam performance to maximize parts
cleaning efficiency. Does not contain
harsh alkalies, acids, phosphates or
caustics. Proven cleaner/degreaser for
removing grease and oily soils from all
soiled surfaces. Excellent for degreasing
engines, heavy deposits of oily
substances, grease and carbon.

http://www.maintex.com/lib/files/10industrial.pdf

and this:

BALLISTOL is a far better lubricant than most, if not all, other so-called gun oils. One of the worst sins of most common "gun oils" is that they gum up and harden relatively fast. They become sticky and gluey and can dangerously interfere with the proper mechanical function of a firearm. BALLISTOL WILL POSITIVELY NEVER GUM UP OR HARDEN.

For hand loaders: BALLISTOL is an excellent case sizing lubricant. Cases won't get stuck in the reloading dies and when you wipe them off, they will be cleaned of dirt and oxide.

Most lubricants do not mix with water. They separate from water and thus lose their capability to lubricate in the presence of water. Not so with BALLISTOL. BALLISTOL emulsifies with water and is, therefore, capable of lubricating in the presence of water, like a boring or cutting oil. BALLISTOL can also be applied to things that are already wet, even soaked, including plastics, wood and leather.

http://www.ballistol.com/product_Lubricant.htm

Red Cent, how does Aqua Kleen and Ballistol compare to Frog Lube?

The only chemical I have ever had left over is mineral spirits from cleaning a milsurp rifle of cosmoline. I only use as much as necessary so there is not much waste. I then use the dirty spirits to kill the weeds in the cracks in my driveway. The patches I use are left to dry then thrown in the trash....chris3

Only organic material should go in a septic tank.

I do know that when I put patches with Hoppes #9 in my kitchen trash can, the gnats stay away.

Post 17 is incorrect.

Many auto and truck service facilities use waste oil for heat. (Search "waste oil heater" on google). Also foreign solvents and petroleum products can screw up the recycling process for used oil.

I can clean any gun I own on the kitchen table on an old newspaper without needing rags to "sop it up" when I get done. Just roll up the newspaper & dirty patches when I get done and throw it in the trash.

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I like your idea of using newspaper. I would put it in with the paper recycling.