where to wash oily, soapy shop rags/towels

[peragro]

Here's my predicament... I have a bucket full of old towels and such that I've used to wash the cars over time. They've got polish, wax, soap, etc... on them. In addition, I've got a pair of those "mechanics" gloves and a few other oily towels that could definatly use a washing. The gloves are seriously oily and dirty after taking out the tranny and engine on the valiant.

Second, and more importantly. We got rid of our leaky junky washing machine a few months back and got one of those HE3 thingys from sears. Very nice, the wife loves it. Am I being stupid by thinking I could wash all that stuff in the new washer? Looking for some advice prior to making the wife really angry...

cheers,

Matt.