Welcome • User Guide
ToS • Privacy • Canary
Donate • Bugs • License

©2025 Poal.co

1.1K

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.

>I’ve written about the dangers of linseed oil rags starting fires [many times](https://www.popularwoodworking.com/flexner-on-finishing-woodworking-blogs/spontaneous-combustion-oil-finishes-drape-rags-edge-trash-can-avoid-fire/). 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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yq6VW-c2Ts&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop) showing the spontaneous combustion of some rags placed in a cardboard box. In just over three hours they had self-ignited.

(post is archived)

You are currently inside a comment thread.
Click here to see all the comments (2).
[–] • 3 pts

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.