It’s that time of the year when families are using patios, desks and yards to gather friends and family and enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes when planning the event, people take advantage of the weather and decide to freshen up the deck, wood patio or outdoor furniture. Linseed oil is often an ingredient used in the stains, varnishes or sealers used for these projects.
The Dangers Of Linseed Oil. Based on a recent experience we’ve had at Restoration 1, linseed oil soaked materials, such as rags, can actually be a fire hazard. The danger lies in the method of disposal of the materials used to complete the project. With linseed oil, as well as other oils used to finish wood, heat is generated during the drying process. Linseed oil doesn’t dry like paint – in other words, through evaporation – but instead it dries through the same chemical process that generates fire – oxidation. This process results in heat if there are enough rags or other materials containing linseed. As they dry, they spontaneously combust and catch fire to anything around the area.
While you will never see a piece of furniture spontaneously combust because the oil oxidizes in open air, a pile of oil-soaked rags definitely can. The bigger the pile of rags, and the warmer the temperature, the quicker the rags can ignite. Disposing of oil-soaked rags in a trash can produce enough heat to ignite the other surrounding trash. Here’s a good video of what can happen.
How To Dispose Of Oil-Soaked Rags. According to Evergreen Fire and Rescue, after completing a project the homeowner should spread the rags flat on a non-combustible surface, like your driveway or sidewalk. Let them dry completely. Then soak them in water and seal them in an airtight container such as a paint can or coffee can. You should then contact the trash removal company and find out how you can transfer the rags to them.
We hope this never happens to you, but it’s a good lesson for homeowners. And perhaps if you see your neighbors refreshing their deck, you can pass the information on to them!