[BestBreast]

Good evening, now I've got your attention, you dirty lot. 
Can someone advise me about cleaning a water butt. It is second hand and I know I need to clean it (will be cleaning both inside and out).
I was wondering if fairy will do the job as long as I hose it down well. Or would something like milton be better. If I need to use a specific cleaning agent can you advise me of brands.

Cheers
Diane

[shaun]

whats has been in your butt before ? 

[richyrich7]

if it's already had water in it, jeye's fluid would do the job 

[Salmo]

Probably just a good scrub. I would not use Jeyes fluid as it stinks for ages. Try dilute household bleach if you want to kill algae or smelly black bacteria.

[Debz]

I would use some table salt and give it a good scrub.  I used to use that when I cleaned my fish tank if it was covered in algae and as long as you give it a good rinsee afterwards it never seemed to do my tropical fish any harm.

[BestBreast]

Mmm well the butt was very nasty. Like I said it's not  new to me. It had a lot of green algae growing (the inside looked like a pond, expected fish and frogs to pop out!). 

I drained the butt before transporting and now it's sat in my garden waiting for me to clean it. Generally its in good condition so I'm very pleased with it.

I think I will hose down then scrub with a long brush. I got one to help clean the greenhouse frame (bargain 49p) so with my marigolds I think I will be safe from the slime.  :blink: Then I will consider my options.

[Celtic Eagle]

Go to a local homebrew shop get some sterilizer/cleaner about £2 mix the whole lot in about 5 gallon of hot water dump it in the butt and use a n old hand brush to scrub it out then leave for 24 hours scrub again and wash out with clean water .The stuff is completly rinsible and woun't smell

Good luck

[FCG]

Does your butt smell ?

Dilute fairy liquid might stick around, doubt dettol would be much good.

Seems like back breaking scrubbing is called for.

[treacleminer]

I drained the butt before transporting and now it's sat in my garden waiting for me to clean it. Generally its in good condition so I'm very pleased with it..

If it's a wooden one don't let it sit empty too long - I found mine sprung a leak after being emptied as it dried out while building work was done.
Janet

[BestBreast]

Does your butt smell ?

Dilute fairy liquid might stick around, doubt dettol would be much good.

Seems like back breaking scrubbing is called for.

I really don't know if it smells not stuck my head that close!!!

Thanks for other ideas for cleaning my plastic butt! Going to have to wait for the snow to melt and for the garden dry I don't want to turn my garden into a bog garden!

I don't mind the hard work, it keeps me busy.

I will let you know what I do and if it works...

[matthew2riches]

I pressure wash mine every year.

[johnhar]

The best & safest way to clean water butts, is to wash them out with Armillatox at a dilution of 1 in 100, this is ok on plastic. Just mix some up & spray it on the walls inside & out, leave overnight and then wash off. To keep the water fresh you con also put 30ml in the water every week, it is safe for the plants.

 :happy:with life