A process for removing residual oil from used oil filters (30a). The process includes washing the oil filters (30) with a wash water (22) while simultaneously crushing the oil filters. The wash water has a carefully selected and limited surfactant (20) to effectively remove the residual oil while reducing emulsification of the removed residual oil into the wash water. The oil (24) is recovered and the wash water is recirculated after having been amended with surfactant and/or water to assure that the surfactant remains within the desired limits.
