Sterilizing cutting tools.

[NYCorchidman]

Flaming cutting tools is the best way to go I believe.
It is quick and easy and kills whatever's on the surface.

By the way, BettyE, is there a good way to sterilize glazed decorative pots?? Do they survive the baking???

I have a few glazed pots that are pretty and expensive, and irreplaceable. I grow other houseplants or sometimes have orchids in plastic pot sit in it for decor.
I want to make sure they are clean enough when I use them for different plants.

[james mickelso]

Glazing, vs firing, seals the surface of the clay which makes a simple bleach bath adequate for sterilization. Simply firing the clay may or may not seal the surface which would obviate a longer soak in a bleach solution. As long as the pot is of a high quality and the temperature is brought up gradually and cooled just as gradually there should be no issues with sterilizing them in an oven. I would opt for the bleach method as opposed to baking them in an oven. More cost effective with just as good a result.

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

I know this is an old thread, but David (or anyone else?) would the potassium permanganate be effective enough on its own to sterilize tools? (with the dip in the 70% rubbing alcohol to destroy the P.P. so as to not stain everything ~as David C. mentioned~)

I'm looking for something that travels (8 hours in a car) better than a blow-torch (at least for this coming summer... After that, I have an acetylene blow torch that I'm perfectly comfortable using)

Yes, I think strong oxidizers such as solutions of permanganate, bleach or Virkon will destroy all viruses but I think that for traveling by car I would still prefer the butane torch. I think that it should not get to hot in the car for the butane cylinder as long as you do not leave it in the sun in a closed vehicle.

[orchidsarefun]

is there such a thing as too much bleach in a water mix ?
I hate measuring things out.........so if I make a mistake and mix 50/50 is that too much or too little, or doesn't it matter ? Also is it necessary to rinse the tool with water after the bleach sterilisation and before use ?

[DavidCampen]

I would think there is probably a wide range of bleach concentrations that you could use to sterilize tools. For purifying water for drinking you can use as little as 1/4 teaspoon per gallon; I would want to use a significantly higher concentration than that for sterilizing tools but either 10% or 50% Chlorox type bleach should be equally effective.

Water Purification :: Washington State Dept. of Health

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

is there such a thing as too much bleach in a water mix ?
I hate measuring things out.........so if I make a mistake and mix 50/50 is that too much or too little, or doesn't it matter ? Also is it necessary to rinse the tool with water after the bleach sterilisation and before use ?

50/50 sounds way too much. You might want to make sure you wear thick gloves to protect your skin and wear some old crappy clothes in case the dilution splashes on you.

You can simply follow the label instruction. It has two, one for general cleaning and the other for disinfecting surfaces. and this is no where near 50/50 and not even 10%. yet, it says leaving this concentration on for about 5 min, rinse with water, then air dry.

With this concentration, you still want to wear protective gloves as otherwise you will feel your skin quite funny. and not to mention smelling bad for a while.

[scardall]

Can I use Acetone to sterilize my cutting tools, as it evaporates quickly.

[bil]

If you want something to neutalise potassium permanganate solution, sodium thiosulphate does that very efficiently. The rule with fish was, you never dosed a pond with pp without having a bottle of STS to hand in case you overdosed with PP.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by scardall

Can I use Acetone to sterilize my cutting tools, as it evaporates quickly.

I have not heard of using solvents like acetone or alcohol to sterilize & remove viral pathogens. Not saying it does not work, but I haven't read anything that would convince me it does work.

Flame or heat sterilize where possible. When it's not possible, use a strong oxidizer like bleach, followed by a good rinse or soak with clean water.

[euplusia]

Old thread, but still of high importance. Alcohol is not effective against CymMV and ORSV !!!
A solution of Benzoe acid is non-toxic, non-corrosive and tested to be effective against CymMV and ORSV, pH must be lower than 4.