White spirit rags in washing machine

[cheeseandchive]

21st century dilemma

Can I put a few small rags that have white spirit on in my washing machine?

Imagine it's best to rinse them before they go in, if they go in at all. Will they make my washing machine smell? Can I put them in with a general wash, or do they need doing on their own? Or just washing by hand?

I would

I wouldn't. I'm not sure that white spirit is even soluable in water, so not sure it'd wash off? Not sure of effect on rubber bits in washing machine either?

Nope - it will make the machine smell and several washes after! The smell does go from the wet clothes if you hang them up (outside best) and eventually from the machine but not for a while... Don't do it!

Don't do it. It stinks the machine out something terrible.

wet them with water (as inflammable) tie into a plastic bag and bin them.

Or use them to light barbie or bonfire.

Keep them out of your washer.

Thanks all - I remember a previous thread from someone who couldn't rid her washing machine of the smell of white spirit, so glad I asked.

Will bin them and pass on the caution to anyone else that asks in the future!

I wouldn't, I've washed clothes covered in white spirit. Removing sodding wood preserver and it stinks.

Doesn't do any harm, but washing a few cloths on their own and then quite likely running the machine empty to get rid of the smell isn't worth it.

I did it and it took so long to get the smell out of clothes and machine! Soda crystals worked well so you could soak the rags in that..

I know this is an old thread but I had the same problem. I knocked over a bottle of white spirit which went all down my trousers. Not thinking I put them in the washer with my other washing and they all came out stinking. This is what I did to get rid of the smell. I washed the clothes again and put them on the line and left them all day (luckily it was a windy day) when I brought them in the smell had gone. The washing machine I put half a cup 0f bleach in the powder drawer (no powder) and put it on an empty wash. The smell had not gone completely but it was better. I then put in some more bleach and put the washer on a quick wash. I then put a cup of Bicarbonte of soda in the drum and let it sit there all night and I left the door open so air could circulate. Next morning I give the drum, the door and the rubber trim a spray with white vinigar and lemon juice and give it a good clean and the smell had pratically gone. I was able to wash my clothes and even if there is still a lingering smell just put them outside to dry and you will not smell anything.

It's not the smell. White spirit is inflammable and if it comes into contact with a spark will cause a fire. Happened to a elderly neighbour some years ago and it wrecked the kitchen!

Bleach has no effect on white spirit. Neither does vinegar.

White spirit accelerates perishing of rubber components.

(entertain yourself by putting an old rubber glove outside the house, and dripping white spirit on it. It will split, pucker and go into holes.)