How to clean rims the frugal way

I got a set of four rims that needed some washing. It's very cold outside; wash water would freeze.

And I had to do laundry.

So....run the washer drain hose into the laundry tub instead of down the drainpipe, and I get some nice soapy water to clean the rims with. The tub is large enough to immerse the rims if laid on their back, which really helps get them clean. These weren't particularly oily or brake dusted, so I don't think I'm flushing any horrible things down the drain. (Anyway, if I washed them in the back yard, where would the wash water go?)

I'm not even using one drop of extra water, since my old water-guzzling pig of a top-loader Admiral washing machine is going to use water to do the washing, and the washing had to be done.

Here's the washing machine filling my laundry tub:
Attachment 74330

Rub a dub tub, one rim in the tub:
Attachment 74338

I was washing some blue and black jeans, so the water is a bit blue. Won't make any difference, though.

I think the tub will handle rims up to 17", maybe 18" (the ones I'm cleaning are 16"). If I ever have to replace the laundry tub, I'll look into a humongous one that will take the entire wheel with tire. But I probably will have a water-efficient front loader by then. :cheesy:

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