keeping the shop floor clean etc.

[grumpyvette]

I recently got a call from a friend that twisted his ankle rather badly slipping on spilled trans fluid that he left under his lift from working on the car earlier in the day, he also hurt his back and required several stitches in a hand as he hit a sharp edge on a lift as he fell, so I thought ID point out that keeping the shop floor at least semi oil free and picking up tools is not just for looks its also a safety concern , I know personally about the pain and damage that can result, As I damaged my ankle and back PERMANENTLY at work slipping on a greasy floor, so I know how dangerous simple falls can be, and as a result I'm always in at least some level of pain 24-7-365 and can,t do nearly what I used to be able too do, and that gets to be a huge problem.
Cleaning the Garage Floor tends to be a P.I.T.A. at times , but Id point out there are options to the typical broom and dust pan route, a power leaf blower works far easier than a broom for trash like loose sand and grass clippings that always seem to find the way into any shop, the electrical power type come in a wide range of power levels and one rated at 230 MPH wind speed that I and several friends have purchased at home depot for under $80 work very effectively, much better than the lower priced versions that are rated at 150 mph that cost only a bit less,

obviously having a decent lift and a place to collect used oil make things far easier to keep the floor clean but your always going to get occasional spills and crap falling out from under cars when your working on them

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...3&langId=-1&keyword=leaf blower&storeId=10051

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...rchredirect-_-wet_dry_vac_CAT-_-x-_-x&redAB=B

a shop vacuum comes in handy at times

obviously youll want a broom and dust pan, but some oil spills require solvents to lift and remove

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200416611_200416611?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Cleaning%20Equipment%20%2B%20Supplies-_-Brooms%2C%20Brushes%20%2B%20Squeegees-_-132383&ci_sku=132383&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw={keyword}

pouring some solvents or strong soap based cleaner and water on oil spills,then use a stiff floor broom/brush to scrub the surface with the mix as it tends to lift and desolve and flush the stain, on the shop floor and then using shop rags to get up the majority of the spill and using a bit more grease solvent and a pressure washer can do wonders at removing oil from a shop floor

CHEAP SHOP RAGS CONSTANTLY COME IN HANDY
http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-50-15-inch-x-13-inch-all-purpose-shop-towels-46163.html
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=NCB7056_0116634909

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=QcJXT-jbOoXqtgem4O2GDw&ved=0CJYBEPICMAQ


Super Clean". You can get it at Wal-Mart. It comes in a purple gallon jug for less than $10. I use it on everything. Mix it about 50/50 with water and wear gloves. It's hard on the hands.

it also helps if you think things thru during the planing stages and minimize the use of low storage space shelving or areas where your very unlikely to be able to easily access the area under the lowest shelf.

do yourself a HUGE FAVOR and get a QUALITY METAL TRASH CAN WITH A LID, as they are far more likely to survive stupid mistakes like flammable trash catching on fire, and have at least two good fire extinguishers as you WILL eventually have a fire from some cause [/b]

we all make stupid mistakes, one of my friends, .... cleaned up spilled oil with a rag soaked in gas, then threw the rag in the trash can,... over two hours later he was welding on some parts and the trash can ignited from a spark,luckily it was a metal trash can and he simply placed the lid on it to extinguish what could have been a huge problem in a plastic trash can, because he had no easy access to a fire extinguisher.
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[Rich Z]

I like the idea of a metal trash can. I can see where the plastic one I am using could be a real problem if stuff ignited inside of it.

I might also suggest that people invest in a couple of these automotive drip pans to put underneath places on your car when you are working to limit fluids dripping directly onto the floor.