quick question about cleaning containers for wsing

I know we should dip milk jugs in a bleach solution before filling with dirt and planting seeds. But what ratio of bleach to water, and how long do they need to soak? Is just a dip ok?

Hmmm... I've just been rinsing with a little soap, counting on the cold to kill anything nasty.

I wash my containers with dish soap & water first then fill them with a splash of bleach & warm water. Very scientific. I let them soak for about 15 minutes and then air dry. It doesn't get cold enough for the nasties to freeze and die.

Uh oh. I clean my containers for inside sowing w/ bleach but all I've been doing for the WS containers is rinsing them with soap and water. Sure hope I haven't screwed up.....to the tune of 35 jugs.

You and me both, Lala_Jane! I don't even use the soap - I just rinse them out. To the tune of 200+ jugs!

Yikes! I never even heard about the bleach before this.

Suzy

I just rinse with water, no soap, unless they are smelly. Some that I've gotten from other people haven't been rinsed very well and they stink of sour milk. Those I fill with water and a splash of Clorox and let soak 15 minutes or so. I did the same thing last year- most jugs were just rinsed with tap water. I think the disease-causing organisms are killed by the UV sun rays and cold temps.

When seeds fall on the soil and germinate in your garden, nobody has sterilized the ground prior to their self sowing...

Karen

nooby here... and i too only use hot water to rinse.

Hey - I'm a WS newbie too! I didn't mean to cause any alarm :-) I just continued using the same process that I use on my seed trays and 'cos I have a slight case of OCD (Obsessive Cleaning Disorder).

Ooops -- I guess I misremembered that step. So please disregard -- sorry for causing any dismay!

Whew. LOL

LOL! Whew is right! You can bet we had this thread on thread watcher, Happy!

Suzy

Ah me, the trouble I cause!