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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: The Amateurs on April 27, 2008, 18:47:00

Title: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: The Amateurs on April 27, 2008, 18:47:00

Hi, 
This may be a daft question but just wanted to get some advice, what's the best thing to clean plastic pots with before I use them again, is water and washing up liquid ok or so I need to use a steriliser (ie Milton) too?

Thanks

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: debster on April 27, 2008, 19:02:58

i was recommended to use jeyes fluid particularly after the blight problem we had last year with the tomatoes

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: kt. on April 27, 2008, 19:04:50

Usually I would use Jeyes fluid as mentioned above.  Time was against me this past few months so none of mine have been cleaned for this year.  :-[   They are all full of stuff now though.

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: davyw1 on April 27, 2008, 19:06:59

I go along with the Jeyes fluid and one of those long handled washing up brushes what the wife bought me for xmas with the matching rubber gloves.

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: debster on April 27, 2008, 19:16:35

that davyw1 i would pay to see  ;D

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: aromatic on April 27, 2008, 19:22:24

 :-\ I have heard that they should be soaked in a container of sterilizing solution overnight and then rinsed in some warm water and left to dry off.

                                          (http://www.chinabi.com/images/img4.jpg)

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: markfield rover on April 27, 2008, 19:49:47

Have been known to use dishwasher.

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: davyw1 on April 27, 2008, 19:56:15

Quote from: markfield rover on April 27, 2008, 19:49:47

Have been known to use dishwasher.

I AM THE DISHWASHER

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: ACE on April 27, 2008, 20:50:50

Get a cheap steamer, I bet you already have one, Totally useles for what they were sold for and found at every car boot sale all over the country. But great for sterilising pots

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: redimp on April 27, 2008, 21:35:53

I don't bother.

There you go, you could fill and entire GW just with pot cleaning - or not.

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: saddad on April 27, 2008, 22:10:02

I'm with you on that one Redclanger...
 :-[

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: Eristic on April 28, 2008, 02:00:06

I use washing-up liquid ad warm water for pots for seed sowing but don't bother cleaning pots for potting on. Just not enough hours in the day for that.

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: chappy on April 28, 2008, 10:55:01

Hmm, I use soapy water with some bleach added.

Is that bad?

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: Tee Gee on April 28, 2008, 13:41:09

I use cold bleach!

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: Barnowl on April 28, 2008, 14:37:42

For plastic pots I use washing up liquid with vinegar on seed pots but just rinse out the potting on sizes and put them in the sun to dry - there isn't much subsoil stuff that can withstand a good dose of UV.

I use Citrox or Jeyes fluid for earthenware pots since I think their porosity means they are more capable of harbouring nasties.

Title: Re: Cleaning Plant Pots
Post by: Ishard on April 28, 2008, 14:53:14

Step 1; Fill the bath with cold water

Step 2; Add jeyes fluid

Step 3; Place the pots in the bath and leave to soak overnight  ;)

Step 4; Pull the plug out of the bath and remove pots when dry

Step 5; Get someone else to clean the bath.  ;D