Funnel maintenance
January 24, 2012 1:49 PM Subscribe
How should I go about cleaning a funnel used for car fluids?
Here's a really stupid car question. After I use a funnel to refill my power steering fluid, how can I clean the funnel so that it's safe to use for other fluids? Do I need to worry about safe disposal? Can I just run it under the sink? I'm worrying too much, right?
Here's a really stupid car question. After I use a funnel to refill my power steering fluid, how can I clean the funnel so that it's safe to use for other fluids? Do I need to worry about safe disposal? Can I just run it under the sink? I'm worrying too much, right?
what kind of fluids do you want to use it for?
I wouldn't use a funnel that i used for an oil change in the kitchen, if that's what you are asking.
I do the same as InsanePenguin.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:03 PM on January 24, 2012
I wouldn't use a funnel that i used for an oil change in the kitchen, if that's what you are asking.
I do the same as InsanePenguin.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 2:03 PM on January 24, 2012
Best answer: Wipe out the excess with a paper towel. Then use a solvent to rinse off what the paper towel leaves behind; collect this runoff in a paper towel "basket" and discard. As to solvent, soap+water or alcohol- or vinegar-based solutions probably won't work. (You could try though.) I'd probably give WD-40 a shot: it will probably "lift off" the power steering fluid sufficiently. Then wash with soap and water, and the funnel should be essentially clean.
That having been said, as InsanePenguin suggests, using different funnels for different types of solutions / fluids is a good idea. (Which doesn't preclude putting your funnels away clean, as I would.) And I wouldn't mix automotive or non-food household equipment with food preparation equipment.
posted by cool breeze at 2:07 PM on January 24, 2012
That having been said, as InsanePenguin suggests, using different funnels for different types of solutions / fluids is a good idea. (Which doesn't preclude putting your funnels away clean, as I would.) And I wouldn't mix automotive or non-food household equipment with food preparation equipment.
posted by cool breeze at 2:07 PM on January 24, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks guys. I'm not talking about using the funnel in a kitchen here, more just trying to avoid contaminating, say, the windshield cleaner with the power steering fluid. Also trying to avoid improper disposal, if that's even a concern with amounts this small. If you use shop rags, what do you do with the rags -- can they go in a washing machine?
posted by fermata at 2:13 PM on January 24, 2012
posted by fermata at 2:13 PM on January 24, 2012
Best answer: It isn't a major concern with amounts that small, nor is contamination for either coolant, transmission, engine, power steering or differential oil. Wiping out the funnel with rag/paper is fine.
Brake fluid, however, must have zero contamination. Make sure you clean the funnel with brake cleaner or similar and wipe with a clean rag after before using it to fill your brakes (if appropriate).
If you use shop rags, what do you do with the rags -- can they go in a washing machine?
Yes, they can. Wash as rarely as you can, though, and wash them all together. It may be sensible to put an empty load through (hence don't do it too often) afterwards with just soap to prevent contamination with normal clothing washes.
posted by Brockles at 2:26 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]
Brake fluid, however, must have zero contamination. Make sure you clean the funnel with brake cleaner or similar and wipe with a clean rag after before using it to fill your brakes (if appropriate).
If you use shop rags, what do you do with the rags -- can they go in a washing machine?
Yes, they can. Wash as rarely as you can, though, and wash them all together. It may be sensible to put an empty load through (hence don't do it too often) afterwards with just soap to prevent contamination with normal clothing washes.
posted by Brockles at 2:26 PM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oh boy! Never, ever wash shop rags with other clothes, and never wash anything you have any affection for (gloves, etc.) with a rag used for differential oil. That smell is the worst.
posted by InsanePenguin at 2:33 PM on January 24, 2012
posted by InsanePenguin at 2:33 PM on January 24, 2012
If you want to break whatever your working with down a bit before rinsing, Dawn dishwashing liquid is an excellent grease-cutter. Just use it straight out of the bottle, don't add water until your ready to rinse.
posted by rtimmel at 3:42 PM on January 24, 2012
posted by rtimmel at 3:42 PM on January 24, 2012
Carb, brake, or throttle body cleaner. Although for long transmission funnels I keep them in a Ziploc bag. Easier than trying to keep them clean, and if you need to pack it for a long trip you can just toss it in the trunk.
posted by narcoleptic at 5:37 PM on January 24, 2012
posted by narcoleptic at 5:37 PM on January 24, 2012
Response by poster: This was a great help, everybody. Thanks all of you for responding!
posted by fermata at 8:27 PM on January 24, 2012
posted by fermata at 8:27 PM on January 24, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by InsanePenguin at 1:59 PM on January 24, 2012