When you first start out with oil painting, there are some safety tips you need to take seriously. An important one is to always dispose of your oil-soaked rags (or anything soaked in oils) properly.

Have you ever noticed red metal bins in any oil painting classroom? These bins are for the disposal of rags and other materials that have been soaked in oils. When oils (such as commonly used linseed oil) oxidize, heat is released and spontaneous combustion may occur.

As you can imagine, this can be incredibly dangerous. In fact, oil-soaked rags were the cause of a 1991 fire at One Meridian Plaza in Philadelphia. The rags were reportedly left out overnight after a woodworking project and ignited, causing a massive fire.

If you are painting at home, you need a good, solid plan for how to store and dispose of your rags. Contact your local sanitation department or garbage service to learn the best ways to dispose of the rags in your area.