Sanitizing Question - help please

[got ants]

Originally Posted by Izzie

My aunt always just lights her Baked Alaska on fire.

I have to ask... intentionally?

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by got ants

I have to ask... intentionally?

I assume so? I mean, it always turns out amazing. All that burns is the alcohol from the liquor.

[Izzie]

We went from sanitation to Baked Alaska.


I love this board.

[gnathaniel]

Okay, let's just re-hijack this thread back to the original TSP question...

Jeff, I think TSP is generally considered safe for household use, it's a fairly common cleaner. Try not to drink it or splash any in your eyes (hard to resist, right?). I can't speak to its effectiveness in killing viruses, though it seems like it might be less damaging to tools than bleach when used as a soak.

--Nat

[Becca]

I recently bought a BernzOmatic microtorch at Home Depot. It was much cheaper then the Benzomatic Sure Fire. When I got it home and opened the package...I realized it didn't have an ignitor switch, which would be nice. So now I just keep a lighter on hand for it. Works great and I like the small size.

Also, TSP can be found in the painting section of your local Home Depot or Lowes. The container does state that it is toxic and that you should wear a mask and gloves while using it so you don't breath the fumes in...but I think that is because it is meant to be spayed on walls or whatever you are cleaning.

[jeffg]

Thanks for all the recipes and salivation stimulation. Izzie, you're too funny - hygiene hijacked to the kitchen!

My practice has been alcohol swabs - pads (like when they draw blood) to swipe the tools. I guess this practice got questioned by the article info.

OK - how long do you run the blade through the torch? (still undecided on the size thing... but it seems the way to go)

[Swamper]

I never timed it but probably 15-30 seconds.

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by jeffg

Thanks for all the recipes and salivation stimulation. Izzie, you're too funny - hygiene hijacked to the kitchen!

My practice has been alcohol swabs - pads (like when they draw blood) to swipe the tools. I guess this practice got questioned by the article info.

OK - how long do you run the blade through the torch? (still undecided on the size thing... but it seems the way to go)

Okay, the doctor in me says that if it's good enough and safe enough for human skin, it has to be okay for plants. I use the same alcohol wipes to sterilize my plant tools that I use before wiping someone's skin for a procedure. Granted, we are more worried about bacterial infections than fungal. There are also viricidal cleaners for health care use. I've seen too many burns to want to use a torch. I'd rather loose a plant than a patch of skin!
I just wish I had access to an autoclave!

[Judi]

I'll probably get a microtorch--I can forsee a lot of uses for it, and hopefully it's not big enough to be too dangerous. Last fall I purchased a new cutlery set--which came with kitchen shears and a "gift" of a cutting board and, you guessed it, kitchen shears. I had no idea what I was going to do with 3 shears, after all I already had one before They are the kind that can be taken apart and I am now so glad I got them--they are the best for orchids--and I can clean them really well because they come apart I wash them in hot soapy water, dry them, pour peroxide on them, then wipe with alcohol after they dry. It's a long process but I won't use bleach on anything--I think bleach is a really bad actor. So far my method seems to have worked, but then I don't have a huge collection.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Judi

I'll probably get a microtorch--I can forsee a lot of uses for it, and hopefully it's not big enough to be too dangerous. Last fall I purchased a new cutlery set--which came with kitchen shears and a "gift" of a cutting board and, you guessed it, kitchen shears. I had no idea what I was going to do with 3 shears, after all I already had one before They are the kind that can be taken apart and I am now so glad I got them--they are the best for orchids--and I can clean them really well because they come apart I wash them in hot soapy water, dry them, pour peroxide on them, then wipe with alcohol after they dry. It's a long process but I won't use bleach on anything--I think bleach is a really bad actor. So far my method seems to have worked, but then I don't have a huge collection.

Just keep in mind that the BernzOmatic microtorch does not have an ignitor. It's not a problem for me, but some may prefer an ingitor. I just keep a lighter handy at all times!