How to clean plastic pots to reuse?
 

Hi!

I have several orchids (some of which are actually growing! :D) and need to repot most of them. I've found that clear plastic pots work best for me for various reasons and would like to reuse some I have on hand (esp since they're expensive to order & impossibly to find locally :_(). Can plastic pots be cleaned sufficiently in the dishwasher? Are there better ways to clean them (that don't involve Physan or other chemicals toxic to curious cats) or other things I should do in addition to using a dishwasher (if dishwasher's okay)?

Thanks a bunch!
:thankyou

I used to soak them in a bleach solution... but I think I've gotten lazy in my old age... now I just scrub them in hot soapy water rinse, and call them clean enough... ;)

sponge, soap and warm water. dry it and its ready to go...use alcohol and cotton to wipe it if youre still not sure

Yes, You can put them in the dish washer. Make sure you turn the heat cycle off! Then when your going to use them. Get a pot of hot water and mix 10% bleach and just dunk them.

I just scrub with warm soapy water and a washing up brush (an old one).

In lieu of Physan, Keith's suggestion of bleach is a good one, but I'd soak 'em overnight, not just a dip.

Despite their impervious appearance, plastics are porous and can harbor all sorts of pathogens.

Thanks!
 

Thank you all! Guess I'll have to get out the ole bleach afterall. :blushing: Was hoping a simple run through the dishwasher would kill everything.

I'll scrub out the pots and then soak overnight in 10% bleach unless you suggest otherwise. Thanks so much for the advice!
:thankyou

Elaines,

Your primary reason to sterilize pots is to prevent the spread of virus. Dishwashers, soap and hot water alone will not accomplish this. If they did, we would have cured Aids a long time ago!

A 5% solution of clorox for 24 hours is the safest way to go, 10% if you want overkill. I scrub off any remaining mix and roots before I soak them.

CL

I use dish soap in my bleach to break the surface tension.....

5% should be fine if your soaking them over night.

CL

the HIV virus is probably killed by hot water and soap, it would not really live long outside a host. It would degrade in dry air. It can survive in hypodermic needles because there is blood.
Probably would not "die" instantly but within a few hours.

If it wasn't so HIV positive people could not live in contact with others and would have to be isolated like people that contract Ebola or Marburg.

How long does HIV live outside the body


Anyway 1:10 bleach solution does not kill all teh micro - organisms:
Sterilization (microbiology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"however to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis it should be diluted only 1/5, and 1/2.5 (1 part bleach and 1.5 parts water) to inactivate prions. The dilution factor must take into account the volume of any liquid waste that it is being used to sterilize.[23] Bleach will kill many organisms immediately, but for full sterilization it should be allowed to react for 20 minutes. Bleach will kill many, but not all spores. It is also highly corrosive."


alcohol at least 60% concentration seems pretty good too although does not killl bacterial spores

CDC - Disinfection & Sterilization Guideline:Disinfection - HICPAC

McGill Laboratory Biosafety Manual - Sterilization and Disinfection in the Laboratory

Clorox.com | Disinfectant Products FAQ