Cleaning of mops and brushes...

[YankeeFlyr]

I've always used brake cleaner and/or electrical contact cleaner (dries fast and residue-free) to rinse out my mops, brushes, etc.

Lately, it seems, the price has shot through the roof; I'm starting to feel ripped off when buying it by the aerosol bottle at the auto store.

What does everybody else use???

 

[matrem]

Brake cleaner.
It's still less than half the price of the "brake" cleaner with "gun" on the label.

 

[rcmodel]

I use a pint or quart can of denatured alcohol or mineral spirits paint thinner.

Unscrew the lid, stick the cleaning rod in the hole, and swish it around.
Then blow dry with an air hose.

The dirt in the solvent settles out between uses.

rc

 

[JimStC]

Dawn with bleach alternative. Second is Tide laundry detergent.
They are always in the house and have multiple purposes. I'm cheap but they work.....

 

[YankeeFlyr]

Yeah, I had always thought of dish washing detergent as an alternative, but wanted to stay away from water-based solutions; they take so darned long to dry...

Didn't think of toluene type of stuff like thinners, etc.

Thanks!

 

[JimStC]

Actally the drying time isn't too bad. I let the mops soak overnight, then rinse them real well. I then spread them out on a piece of folded paper towel.
I press down and roll them to get more moisture out. Next day I am ready to go again. So all in it is a two day process. I do have to admit that I buy them by the dozen.....

 

[YankeeFlyr]

Yeah, I just wanted something that dried fast and residue-free...basically like electronics cleaner but without feeling like I'm getting ripped off. If I could buy it bulk with a volume discount I would.

 

[oneounceload]

$3/can at walmart - brake cleaner
mops I throw away when they get too dirty as they are trapping grit and junk. Bought by the dozen they are cheap enough to not risk ruining a good barrel

 

[YankeeFlyr]

Roger that, Oneounce; 3 bucks a can still seems high. I mean, when I clean my ****e out that only does a couple of brushes and a couple of mops.

Funny, I have no shortage of money in my life and in the grand scheme of things the expense seems small. I'm not sure why but it really irritates me. Like synthetic motor oil. 37 bucks for 5 quarts...it really costs that much to produce as opposed to regular oil? Really? REALLY?

Maybe I just don't feel like having it broken off up my behind...:banghead:

I'll try thinner.

 

[Jaxondog]

Simple Green work's well with my chore's and mop's. I use it on all my pistol's. Great stuff.

 

[Kingcreek]

RC is right. Mineral spirits works great and its just a few bucks for a gallon. I keep a jar on the bench.

 

[k4swb]

I do an initial wash in an old peanut butter jar with dish detergent and Clorox. Just swish it around and let soak for a bit and rinse off.
Then i put them in an old sock and tie it off and throw it in the washer and drier. This fluffs them out better than just laying out and drying them for me.

 

[YankeeFlyr]

Yeah, I hadn't thought about the dryer; I was leaning towards rigging a threaded block on a string and just spinning them out like a centrifuge.

I'll have to put them in the dryer when the wife is not home.



Just cuz.