Ever use a washing machine to clean cases? (Am I missing something?)

[WVGunman]

When I first started reloading I washed a few hundred cases in a washing machine, for lack of a better method. I had a few problems with squib loads that I'm pretty sure were the result of uneven drying. I was given a vibratory cleaner as a gift and never looked back. I had a small shed out back that was great for it.
Several years on, I live in a smallish apartment with no central ventilation, and vibe cleaning isn't a good option. I bought and tried an ultrasonic cleaner, but, well ... I'm just not too thrilled. So I am currently trying the washing machine again. I put it on delicate cycle with hot water, soap, and a bit of vinegar (to remove water spots). The cases are split between two fine mesh hosiery bags. After that, unlike in the past, I put them into a convection oven to bake at about 230 degrees for an hour. I also remove the primers before all this, which helps them dry.

So far, this seems to give me the best of all possible worlds: cases are as clean as vibrating them gets them, without any fine residue on the cases, and no disposal of cleaning fluid like with the ultrasonic cleaners. I was worried about the cases getting dented, but that doesn't seem to be happening. It also seems to wash the insides and the primer pockets fairy well.
Does anyone else do this? It seems so simple I can't understand why so many people spend so much time and money on other methods or special equipment. Is there some kind of possibility of long-term harm to the cases? Any downside I'm not aware of?

 

[WestKentucky]

Gotta be hard on the washing machine. Seems it would be loud too.

Are you using Tide or Ajax?

 

[WVGunman]

Gotta be hard on the washing machine. Seems it would be loud too.
Are you using Tide or Ajax?

It IS delicate cycle, and the cases are double-bagged so they don't contact the drum. I just use the same generic laundry powder I use for clothes, but a lot less of it.

 

[kidneyboy]

Sounds like wet tumbling without pins. I may have to try this.

 

[Laphroaig]

I assume that you're not married

 

[DRAINSMITH]

There are easier ways to get your wife to kill you. Just say "Yes those jeans do make you look fat". Get a F.A.R.T. Your brass will look better and your life expectancy will increase.

 

[someguy2800]

I assume that you're not married

There are easier ways to get your wife to kill you. Just say "Yes those jeans do make you look fat". Get a F.A.R.T. Your brass will look better and your life expectancy will increase.

What they said.

That reminds me of the time when I was living in an apartment and my wife left for the weekend so I built an engine in the kitchen.

 

[WVGunman]

I assume that you're not married

Nope!

Aside from objections from my (non-existent) spouse, is there any other reason this might be a bad idea?

 

[ray15]

Sounds like a great idea.. if you never want to wash clothes in it again.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A tumbler in a confined space is perfectly safe as long as you leave the cover on when tumbling.

 

[Dudedog]

There are easier ways to get your wife to kill you. Just say "Yes those jeans do make you look fat".

OMG

I have a Lyman wet tumbler works great.
The only possible issue I see with using the washing machine is possible lead residue left in the washer.
Not likely but possible.
I wet tumble and if it is cold outside (won't be for 3 months at least where I am at), I just drain the water off the cases and put them on an old towel out of the way in a corner someplace to dry.
Usually dry in a day or so but since the house is warm inside, no need to bake.

 

[troy fairweather]

do it at the laundromat lol

 

[LoonWulf]

I put dirt, dirty cases in a sock and toss them in with a load of work clothes. Its when you forget them and send them thru the drier it really gets exciting.

 

[Stew0576]

I boil my deprimed cases in a stainless pot, i add dish soap and lemi shine, stir periodically, then i rinse with hot water, while cases are still hot i put them in my tumbler with a little car wax, they come out beautifully

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

What they said.

That reminds me of the time when I was living in an apartment and my wife left for the weekend so I built an engine in the kitchen.

Years ago I built a rigid frame Shovelhead in the living room. Fired it up and rode it out the front door, down the steps, across the yard and gone.

Those were the days.....

 

[Rottweiler]

the washing machine washes a few cases every time I don't empty my pockets before I put the pants in the wash.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

If you're satisfied with the results why question yourself?
Someone probably will tell you that you're contaminating everything you own with lead, maybe even the whole apartment building or city you live in, BS IMO.
I use a FART to clean most brass. The pins will get them cleaner faster. If you are patient they go on sale occasionally for as little as $125.
I have dried cases in the oven a couple times but it's a PITA. In the summer put them in a sifter and set them in the sun. In the winter, on the utility room floor in front of a fan. I have in floor heat but even when it isn't on they dry overnight.

 

[rbernie]

For years now, I’ve just use my kitchen sink. A little Simple Green, a little liquid soap, and a wooden spoon to stir the cases around on occasion while they soak.

For pistol brass, I air dry them in 5 gallon buckets for a couple of weeks and then I’ll put them in the ‘processed brass‘ tubs for reloading. I can usually keep 5K to 8K cases prepped and ready to reload this way, without any concerns over lead-laden tumbling dust.

Rifle brass will be washed, then lubed and sized and trimmed and then washed again before setting it aside for loading. I will usually tumble the rifle brass to get it shiny after it’s dried before setting it aside, but at that point it’s free of contaminants and I have no dust concerns.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

There are easier ways to get your wife to kill you. Just say "Yes those jeans do make you look fat". Get a F.A.R.T. Your brass will look better and your life expectancy will increase.

I was thinking the same thing.
I know many understanding women but none that would put up with this.
There are just some things that they just won’t tollerate.

And I’m a pretty brave and bold guy but an angry woman in the House is where I try to draw the lin afterer all..

When Momma ain’t happy NO ONE is happy

 

[WVGunman]

A tumbler in a confined space is perfectly safe as long as you leave the cover on when tumbling.

I get the feeling a lot of you guys who are posting don't live in apartments and/or don't understand what that entails. Vibratory tumblers are LOUD and I share walls with other people. Neighbors complain about loud noises and vibration, and multiple complaints gets a person evicted. There is also literally no way to put anything outside or in the sun; I have no yard! If it can't happen in the kitchen, it ain't happenin' at all.
Another issue is the residue the vibration cleaner leaves all over the cases that gets all over my hands when loading.

I'm also a bit surprised so many are convinced a wife would go on the warpath over this. Perhaps it's a generational thing. My live-in girlfriend the first time I tried this found it unusual, but had no "problem" with it. A washing machine is for washing things, after all, and the way I bagged them up it wasn't any louder than doing a regular load of laundry. These are top load washers though' it's possible the side-load type would be radically different!

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I get the feeling a lot of you guys who are posting don't live in apartments and/or don't understand what that entails. Vibratory tumblers are LOUD and I share walls with other people. Neighbors complain about loud noises and vibration, and multiple complaints gets a person evicted. There is also literally no way to put anything outside or in the sun; I have no yard! If it can't happen in the kitchen, it ain't happenin' at all.
Another issue is the residue the vibration cleaner leaves all over the cases that gets all over my hands when loading.

I'm also a bit surprised so many are convinced a wife would go on the warpath over this. Perhaps it's a generational thing. My live-in girlfriend the first time I tried this found it unusual, but had no "problem" with it. A washing machine is for washing things, after all, and the way I bagged them up it wasn't any louder than doing a regular load of laundry. These are top load washers though' it's possible the side-load type would be radically different!

You're correct I can't relate to your situation, as I said before, if your wash machine method is working keep it up. Tumblers and vibratory cleaners are loud.
Sounds like you have a nice girlfriend. My wife is a beautiful, gorgeous, wonderful women. I don't touch her washing machine much less put dirty brass in it. Makes me LOL thinking about the reaction I'd get if I suggested it.

 

[WestKentucky]

What they said.

That reminds me of the time when I was living in an apartment and my wife left for the weekend so I built an engine in the kitchen.

Yeah... now that you mention it... I once changed a set of fairings and a tank for a baby ninja in the living room. Did yearly maintenance too. Got the mess cleaned up and was golden on cleanliness, but the smell of brake cleaner and chain lube gave me away.

 

[someguy2800]

Yeah... now that you mention it... I once changed a set of fairings and a tank for a baby ninja in the living room. Did yearly maintenance too. Got the mess cleaned up and was golden on cleanliness, but the smell of brake cleaner and chain lube gave me away.

I learned in my first year of marriage that the smell of brake cleaner travels approximately 5 feet a second. I was in the basement on the other side of the house cleaning a gun and sprayed one little squirt of brake cleaner on somethings and it took approximately 10 seconds for the yelling to start. It also took 2 days to stop but that's a different discussion! I told her if I can't have solvents in the house you can't have flowers!

 

[farm23]

Actually that might work. I use thie spin cycle to dry lettuce.

 

[LoonWulf]

Actually that might work. I use thie spin cycle to dry lettuce.

Thats.....ya know....I'm gonna go buy some lettuce now....