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Container Gardening

Non-chemical pot cleaning

17 years ago

I have read a lot of advice about how important it is to really clean containers before re-using, and how to do that. My problem is that I have allergies that prevent me from using things like bleach, etc. Are there any pot-cleaning recipes out there that do not involve strong-smelling or chemical substances? So far, I have been scrubbing them with water and a non-toxic unscented dish detergent. I also use white vinegar for a lot of household cleaning. Would either of these be good enough to get rid of the evils that lurk in dirty pots? I would appreciate any advice - Thanks, Laura

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Comments (5)

hitexplanter
17 years ago
I use vinegar for lots of things and I would guess but can't say with complete confidence that between the soap and the vinegar that it should take care of most if not all things that might be a problem to your transplants. I see the bigger problems usually arise with seeding plants and damping off types of diseases.
Hopefully others will chime in with their two-cents. For now that is mine.
Good luck and Happy growing David
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
17 years ago
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can be used as a disinfectant. It reacts very quickly and breaks down into hydrogen and water, without the formation of byproducts. (This increases the amount of oxygen in water, making it useful in certain other hort applications as well).

The disinfection mechanism of H2O2 is based on the release of free oxygen radicals, which destroy organic molecules, leaving only water. Free radicals have both oxidizing and disinfecting abilities and can help eliminate existing infections and prevent future ones. The free O atom can also destroy dead organic material (i.e, leaves roots) that are rotting and harboring diseases pathogens.

I buy it in 35% strength (unlike the 3% solutions you'll find in drugstores over the counter), so if you intend to use it as a disinfectant, please search for minimum effective concentration strengths. It is a powerful oxidant (especially at higher concentrations), so please take appropriate precautions (eyes/skin).

Al
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watergal
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I've gotten lazy over the years and rarely clean pots before I use them EXCEPT for seed starting since I don't want to risk damping off. Most of my pots sit around in the shed or the basement for months or years, then I just reuse them. Occasionally, I will reuse a pot right away without doing anything to it. I'm sure this is not the best practice and I will reap much criticism, but I've gotten away with it for quite a while now.

I would never do this with a pot from a plant I knew was infected.

As far as allergies, I have some recommendations for soaps and hair products and for cleaning products that I use (I am allergic to fragrances). I don't sell the stuff, just would be happy to share my finds with you. Email me if you're interested.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
If you wash your containers in soapy water, and then allow them to sit in the sunshine for a few hours, you will eliminate the pathogens you are worrying about. Sunlight does a great job on hard surfaces.
organic_tosca
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you everybody. Much appreciated!
Laura

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