# parts washer fluid
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 29, 2000, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680 "2000-12-29T17:43:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@biggestdog99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biggestdog99)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2000, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680/1 "2000-12-29T17:43:05Z")
I am the proud new owner of a slightly used parts washer.
My friends tell me to use oderless mineral spirts for washing fluid, but I am concerned because of fumes and the combustion potential. Does anyone know for sure what kind of fluid to use? I was toying with the idea of using a mixture of non-toxic hand cleaner and water.
---
### Author:  [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2000, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680/2 "2000-12-29T18:02:37Z")
There are non-flammable, low tox parts washer fluids available. Ask at your local auto parts store.
---
### Author:  [@biggestdog99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biggestdog99)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2000, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680/3 "2000-12-29T18:06:10Z")
I know that there is non-flammable, low-tox stuff available, just no one (including the parts store) knows what it is.
---
### Author:  [@starfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/starfish)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2000, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680/4 "2000-12-29T19:14:21Z")
Go to [grainger.com](http://grainger.com) [industrial supply company, anyone can buy from them] and do a product search on “parts washer”. Skip through the pumps and washers and they have the fluids you want.
We buy stuff from a local Graingers. I have no experiance with their on-line store.
---
### Author:  [@2nd\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_guest)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680/5 "2000-12-29T19:15:39Z")
The biggest problem with mineral spirits is that they can still ignite in the presence of flame, such as the water heater pilot light in your garage. We had one guy here blown out of his garage when he forgot that washing a motor cycle engine.
---
### Author:  [@KCB615](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KCB615)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2000, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parts-washer-fluid/47680/6 "2000-12-29T20:22:21Z")
At the machine shop my family owns, we use a device from Cycle Solve for our parts washing. Its a 55 gallon barrel with the washer sitting on top of it. The solvent in it doesn’t smell at all, and (from what the paperwork on the washer said), pretty safe to use. The company’s web site is here, perhaps you could email them and ask what they reccommend.
[http://www.cyclesolve.com/parts.htm](http://www.cyclesolve.com/parts.htm)