Cleaning old trash bin for water storage container...

helitaiwan963 · 08/03/2011, 07:56 PM

Hey guys,

I have a old large plastic garbage bin in my garage I want to use as a water storage container. I plan on a larger tank so I want to start collecting water since my RO system isn't a high output one.

Whats the best way of cleaning it so I make sure there is nothing in it to foul my water in any way?

Don't tell me to go buy a new one either, i know they're 15 bucks but if i can not spend it right now, that would be great as most funds will be going towards new setup.

Thanks
Eric

sporto0 · 08/03/2011, 08:03 PM

Bleach it & rinse really well.

kfisc · 08/03/2011, 08:04 PM

You need to make sure it's a food-grade container (i.e. Rubbermaid); if so, a water and weak bleach solution with a good hand scrubbing with paper towels, then rinse; dry in the sun.

Make sure it's water tight!

john miller · 08/03/2011, 08:30 PM

If it's a Rubbermaid can the food safe ones are white, gray or yellow.

helitaiwan963 · 08/03/2011, 08:39 PM

Hmm ok. So like a 50% water and 50% bleach solution with a good scrubbing be good? Also, it's a older gray rubbermaid trash bin. Sounds like a plan! Thanks guys !

jimmy frag · 08/03/2011, 08:57 PM

so if you were to use 50% bleach in a 35 gallon or so bin. thats 17.5 gallons of bleach. have you compared the price of the bin to the cost of the bleach ? just a thought

helitaiwan963 · 08/03/2011, 09:27 PM

Well I'm not going to be letting the water and bleach mixture sit I'n the bin? The mixture is just for scrubbing... 1 gallon mixed solution should be fine for that. Then just clean with normal water to make sure all the bleach is gone...

Dr Colliebreath · 08/04/2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helitaiwan963

Well I'm not going to be letting the water and bleach mixture sit I'n the bin? The mixture is just for scrubbing... 1 gallon mixed solution should be fine for that. Then just clean with normal water to make sure all the bleach is gone...

That is right. I also put vinegar on a paper towel and wipe the water container out for additional cleaning.

After rinsing, I like to dry completely with paper towels to make sure the tapwater doesn't leave any residue. It may not matter, but it is a small step to keeping your tank pure. I also wipe the container with a bit of rodi water (say the first gallon or two run).

Netofficer3710 · 08/04/2011, 09:53 PM

No offense but I find the idea of using a container that you once used for garbage as a water storage container insane.

Any number of things could have leached into the plastic on that container and could poison your new system.

If you want to poison your system over $15 then go ahead but I would save up for a bit to buy a new food grade container such as a brute can.

helitaiwan963 · 08/04/2011, 09:56 PM

we used this bin for plastic and aluminum cans... theres no way i'd use one for regular garbage.

disc1 · 08/04/2011, 10:28 PM

50% bleach is way too strong. Use something like a cup or two of bleach to a gallon of water.

Bleach is much much stronger than you think.

helitaiwan963 · 08/04/2011, 10:44 PM

Yea, i ended up using like a 3 gal bucket and only used about 1.5" or 2" deep of bleach, then filled up the rest of the bucket with water. got everything very clean.

08/03/2011, 07:56 PM	#1
helitaiwan963 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW suburbs of chicago Posts: 840	Cleaning old trash bin for water storage container... Hey guys, I have a old large plastic garbage bin in my garage I want to use as a water storage container. I plan on a larger tank so I want to start collecting water since my RO system isn't a high output one. Whats the best way of cleaning it so I make sure there is nothing in it to foul my water in any way? Don't tell me to go buy a new one either, i know they're 15 bucks but if i can not spend it right now, that would be great as most funds will be going towards new setup. Thanks Eric

08/04/2011, 10:28 PM	#11
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 9,705	50% bleach is way too strong. Use something like a cup or two of bleach to a gallon of water. Bleach is much much stronger than you think. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

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08/03/2011, 08:03 PM	#2
sporto0 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Posts: 2,924	Bleach it & rinse really well.

08/03/2011, 08:04 PM	#3
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	You need to make sure it's a food-grade container (i.e. Rubbermaid); if so, a water and weak bleach solution with a good hand scrubbing with paper towels, then rinse; dry in the sun. Make sure it's water tight!

08/03/2011, 08:30 PM	#4
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	If it's a Rubbermaid can the food safe ones are white, gray or yellow.

08/03/2011, 08:39 PM	#5
helitaiwan963 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW suburbs of chicago Posts: 840	Hmm ok. So like a 50% water and 50% bleach solution with a good scrubbing be good? Also, it's a older gray rubbermaid trash bin. Sounds like a plan! Thanks guys !

08/03/2011, 08:57 PM	#6
jimmy frag Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: burlington ontario Posts: 845	so if you were to use 50% bleach in a 35 gallon or so bin. thats 17.5 gallons of bleach. have you compared the price of the bin to the cost of the bleach ? just a thought

08/03/2011, 09:27 PM	#7
helitaiwan963 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW suburbs of chicago Posts: 840	Well I'm not going to be letting the water and bleach mixture sit I'n the bin? The mixture is just for scrubbing... 1 gallon mixed solution should be fine for that. Then just clean with normal water to make sure all the bleach is gone...

08/04/2011, 09:53 PM	#9
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	No offense but I find the idea of using a container that you once used for garbage as a water storage container insane. Any number of things could have leached into the plastic on that container and could poison your new system. If you want to poison your system over $15 then go ahead but I would save up for a bit to buy a new food grade container such as a brute can.

08/04/2011, 09:56 PM	#10
helitaiwan963 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW suburbs of chicago Posts: 840	we used this bin for plastic and aluminum cans... theres no way i'd use one for regular garbage.

08/04/2011, 10:44 PM	#12
helitaiwan963 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW suburbs of chicago Posts: 840	Yea, i ended up using like a 3 gal bucket and only used about 1.5" or 2" deep of bleach, then filled up the rest of the bucket with water. got everything very clean.