Yikes. That's probably the first time I ever heard of that actually happening - so sorry it had to happen to him.

That, plus the environmental considerations, led me to mostly using disposable rags any more. Even shops that use a towel service, a few years back they greatly increased the amount of toxic waste the laundries can leave in the rags before washing and draining to municipal water systems.


Funny story though, when I was growing up I don't think my parents owned a single tool. I suppose they must have had a screwdriver around for switch plates and the like, but I sure don't remember seeing it. So when we would always learn in the fire safety classes in grade school never to pile up oily rags, I'd be thinking in my head, "Why would anyone have oily rags?"

Then DH and I rebuilt my Sportster engine in the garage....