What is the best way to wash CHC and red lava rock

[SlipperGirl]

I am trying CHC and red lava rock for the first time and I want to know what is the best way to wash them. I usually soak the potting mix over night and give it a rinse in the morning will that be enough?

I am getting the CHC from first Rays and the lava rock from repotme.

[Ray]

No matter how clean producers claim their CHC is, it all is loaded with salt, so I strongly suggest your soak for at least 24 hours in water containing about a tablespoon-per-gallon each calcium nitrate & Epsom Salts.

[ezil]

I use a fair amount of lava rock in my terrariums. It's a bit of work to get it clean enough. I let it soak thoroughly, and then discard that water. Depending on size and porosity, you may have to do that a few times until the water is clear. when I want to reuse it, I soak it in bleach, and depending on need, bake it in the oven for 1/2 hour (I had some bush snails hiding in the holes and wanted to destroy any eggs that may have been there).

[ALToronto]

Don't use CHC without first getting a TDS meter (look it up on Amazon). Even if the label claims to be low salt, I find I need to soak it 4-5 times in water, each time overnight, with squeezing and rinsing between the soaks. Then on the last soak, add the Cal Nitrate and Mag Sulfate, soak overningt, then rinse one more time, squeeze out as much water as you can, and use.

[SlipperGirl]

thank you all for your help

[blanco20]

btw i use a old colander to wash the lava rocks,i spray them outside with the hose because of the red sediment it leaves behind.

[Vanda lover]

I soak overnight, drain and rinse and repeat a few times. To reuse lava rock I boil it.

[Leafmite]

Yeah, don't rinse lava rock in the sink...it could clog the pipes. I either rinse it with the hose, or in a bucket, then dump the water outside.
I boil or bake my lava rock to reuse it.

[SlipperGirl]

Thanks everyone for all you help