Cleaning Demijohns

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Jaye

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Cleaning Demijohns
« on: February 11, 2008, 20:18 »
I have a lot (well 6 or 8) demijohns that were given to us at our last house...we left them in the cellar there and at this house they have been kept in the garage. I would like to clean them up and use them though.

What is the best way to clean them and would you recommend it?

Jaye

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GrannieAnnie

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2008, 20:23 »
Depends on how bad they are!  I've used broken eggs shells and water or a little wash up liquid, although the wash up can take some washing out.  I've done milton, or bicarb and water, white vinegar, using a big bottle brush for some of the more awkward stains.....

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Tinbasher

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Re: Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2008, 01:23 »
Quote from: "Jaye"
I have a lot (well 6 or 8) demijohns that were given to us at our last house...we left them in the cellar there and at this house they have been kept in the garage. I would like to clean them up and use them though.

What is the best way to clean them and would you recommend it?

Jaye


Buy a small carton of 'Chempro' or other cleaner/steriliser.  Wilkos sell it, just depends whether they have it in stock.  It's about a quid to thirty bob to get a tub enough to do about a dozen demijohns or more.

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Rob the rake

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2008, 08:29 »
For those hard to get out deposits on the glass, put in a length of chain (the gauge used for tap chains is ideal) and swirl it about with a little water and detergent. Sparkly demis in no time. :D
A calloused palm and dirty fingernails precede a Green Thumb.

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Jaye

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2008, 09:23 »
Ooooh thanks everyone for your help - you are a knowledgeable lot!

Jaye

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David.

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2008, 16:04 »
Fill with cheap bleach for several days, save bleach for re-use, half fill with water + a handfull of gravel and swirl around .

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Sadgit

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Re: Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2008, 19:06 »
Quote from: "Tinbasher"
Quote from: "Jaye"
I have a lot (well 6 or 8) demijohns that were given to us at our last house...we left them in the cellar there and at this house they have been kept in the garage. I would like to clean them up and use them though.

What is the best way to clean them and would you recommend it?

Jaye


Buy a small carton of 'Chempro' or other cleaner/steriliser.  Wilkos sell it, just depends whether they have it in stock.  It's about a quid to thirty bob to get a tub enough to do about a dozen demijohns or more.


thats what I have just used about 20 mins ago :D

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Tinbasher

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Re: Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2008, 00:03 »
Quote from: "Sadgit"
Quote from: "Tinbasher"
Quote from: "Jaye"
I have a lot (well 6 or 8) demijohns that were given to us at our last house...we left them in the cellar there and at this house they have been kept in the garage. I would like to clean them up and use them though.

What is the best way to clean them and would you recommend it?

Jaye


Buy a small carton of 'Chempro' or other cleaner/steriliser.  Wilkos sell it, just depends whether they have it in stock.  It's about a quid to thirty bob to get a tub enough to do about a dozen demijohns or more.


thats what I have just used about 20 mins ago :D



It's mega stuff is Chempro.  I've had the oldest, nastiest looking demi-johns given me over the years, ones that have languished in cellars, sheds and greenhouses for a decade or more.  They've been green with algae and dusty and stained beyond hope.  Swill them out of all the obvious loose muck and dust, then refill to the neck with cold water, add 1 teaspoon of Chempro, and tip it about (hand over the top of course) and mix loosely.  Top up to the brim with water and let it stand for 24 hours, and the results are nothing short of a miracle.

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Jaye

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2008, 09:14 »
I think Chempro might be the way forward then :)

Jaye

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cortina1498

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2008, 12:59 »
Hi, I've been told that Chempro is no longer made. Does anybody know of an alternative that is as good.
thanks

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Tinbasher

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2008, 23:17 »
Quote from: "cortina1498"
Hi, I've been told that Chempro is no longer made. Does anybody know of an alternative that is as good.
thanks


Is it not, that's a wee bit sad?  I gather it's a name that's been around for ages, but it was only that I think - a brand name. Another well-known brand is VWP.  It's a cleaner-steriliser.  I got some of this at Wilkos a few moons ago, and it was £1.29 for a small tub that will make 30 gallons of solution.  Last time I went they didn't have any (though I still have half a tub).  Our local Wilkos is a bit hit and miss, especially with brewing equipment, don't know if all branches are the same.

I imagine any of the specialist brewing stores will sell cleaner/steriliser.  Are there no links to online wine and brew supplies somewhere on this forum?

I'd never use bleach or other chemicals to clean equipment, especially any plastic equipment such as buckets or tubing.  You risk tasting it forever.  Glass demijohns are perhaps ok if very well rinsed, but I'd rather not.

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Stripey_cat

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2008, 10:17 »
I use hot water and household bleach (I started brewing as a broke student), and I've never had a problem with tainting.  However, it is a * to rinse, and terrible for your skin!  You need to work with the window wide open, and the door to the rest of the house shut, or everything will smell of bleach for ages.

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David.

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #12 on: March 13, 2008, 20:51 »
As in my post above, I use bleach, but don't use thick scented bleach, do it outside the house, and don't dispose of it after a single use, but re-use again and again.

And, although this is a cleaning demijons thread, be careful about cleaning wine bottles with bleach that you intend to cork, because chlorine + cork has been linked to 'cork taint' spoiling wine.

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Annie

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2008, 14:19 »
I use rice and white vinegar for the deposits.Werks for me.

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subsub

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Cleaning Demijohns
« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2008, 23:57 »
Soda crystals or unscented Oxy clean have always done the trick  :D
Remember is is illegal to blah blah blah blah



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