I’ve written about the dangers of linseed oil rags starting fires many times (popularwoodworking.com). But because many readers of this blog use wipe-on stains and finishes that contain linseed oil, the warning can’t be repeated too often. Manufacturers are not good at all about placing warnings on their containers.
I thought of this danger recently when I came across a news article telling of fire in a small Wisconsin woodworking shop started by linseed oil rags. This led me to a video from ABC (youtube.com) showing the spontaneous combustion of some rags placed in a cardboard box. In just over three hours they had self-ignited.
Great reminder, you just don't think about this stuff. I can't tell you how many watco covered rags I have thrown away. Scary.
never knew this about linseed oil. Since Linoleum in the past my grandparents had it, linseed oil and sawdust pressed under heat to form linoleum now vinyl is used instead. So I wonder if our grandparents knew this like common knowledge that putting the rags out in the sun and wind after use was just the norm and know we are just getting this knowledge back to the masses.
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