When someone thinks about to clean outdoor plastic storage bins, a problem appears “HOW?” Here we are with the best solutions, expert tips and hacks to clean plastic bins, food containers and storage boxes for you. It must be an easy and budget friendly way to follow, otherwise why would you be here?
Plastics are often recycle able which makes their usage more and more sceptic and doubtful. Most of the time the food containers you use are expired for their recyclability. So, I suggest you to re check and confirm the life of container you are using. Now, let’s move forward to the process of cleaning and deodorizing of plastic storage bins and containers.
Clean Large Plastic Storage Bins
Dispose Off The Garbage
It is compulsory to get rid of remaining residue, dust and other particles . If large storage bin have any food items, leftovers you should remove them in another small plastic bag. If it is only plastic trash and garbage, remove it properly within a plastic bag, close it and dispose it off in a proper place to avoid odours. Large plastic bins should be cleaned with cleaning solutions like dishwashing soap, vinegar, baking soda and de odorizing solutions.
Hand Washing Is Preferred
plastic storage bins of large sizes like dust bins, large storage container, food storage containers are a bit hard to clean. To clean outdoor plastic storage bins, Large plastic bins and food containers hand washing is preferred. Dishwashing these plastic storage bins can harm plastic layer and weaken the material.
Save Time & Budget
Most of the large plastic bins are located in street areas, office buildings and factory areas. Cleaning them can be very easy depending on it’s placement and cleaning process. If you are washing plastic bins with a large pipe and bristled brush, you are good to go with saving your budget and time. But cleaning them with household gadgets can be a bit challenging.
Precautions and Safety Measurements
Use Safety Gear
To clean plastic outdoor storage bins some precautions or safety measurements are necessary to adopt. Always wear gloves while cleaning plastic bins, If these are small food containers and you are going to wash them with simple dish soap and water by hand than you can skip gloves. Always choose an open air or ventilated environment to clean large storage bins, or outdoor plastic storage bins.
Chemical Solutions Can be A Bit Risky
Using cleaning solutions to remove stains and odour can be a bit risky to your sensitive skin. If you are allergic to bleach, cleaning solution or to any other harmful substance, it is better to wear mask, gloves and protective glasses. They may contain some toxic substances because of waste food, garbage, and gardening material. Remember to empty the storage bin completely from inside before you start cleaning.
Prepare Cleaning Solutions Accordingly
Bleach and other harmful substances are only used when there is no other choice, do not use them abruptly or all the time just to save time and effort. If plastic storage bins were used to store gardening gadgets, food items, clothes prepare some Mold removing solution to get rid of moist mildew and expected Mold.
Recycling Is Important
After you are done with cleaning, remember to dry it properly to avoid any Mold. Do not mix up things before and after they were in. Use it for same purpose as it was getting used before or recycle it. If a plastic container is reached it’s recycle limit, it is better to replace it with a new one. Because if you try to bleach it, hard wash it, use extra hot water on it to clean, it may result in a more harmful usage.
Prepare A cleaning Solution
Make A Cloudy Plastic Clear Again
There are different type of solutions required for different stains and cleanings that you can DIY at your home. These products not only are budget friendly but deliver best results too, also, are effective solutions to make cloudy plastic clear again. If it is very necessary to use bleach for stain removal, do not use it directly on he plastic bin. Mix 1 warm cup of water with 1/3 part of bleaching agent in it. Spray it all around and wash it. Using too much bleach can harm the storage bin.
Baking Soda Solution
To deodorize any plastic container, use baking soda solution before you start any washing process. For this mix 1 cup warm water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and half teaspoon of baking soda in a bottle. Spray it all around the plastic storage bin and let it sit for almost 20-30 minutes. After it you can regular wash your plastic bin.
Disinfectant Solution
If you are going to clean plastic outdoor storage bins, which is more likely used for garbage or gardening gadgets. You need some disinfectant solution while cleaning. To mix a disinfectant solution, Mix 1 Luke warm water of cup, 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 table spoon rubbing alcohol, 20 drops of lemon essential oil and 20 drops of tea tree oil. This solution will not only disinfect but will remove odors also. Soak your plastic bin in this solution, or spray it all around.
Preparation and Application!
When Do You Not Need A Deodorizing Agent
An open air place provides you better experience for cleaning and drying. Move out all the stuff in the plastic storage bin. If it is empty, use a dry cloth to wipe out all the particles. Fist, use a deodorizing solution, baking soda based and leave it for 20 minutes. If a storage bin is used to store dry objects, you do not need any deodorizing agent.
Scrubbing Makes Cleaning Easy
To clean outdoor plastic storage bins used for trash and garbage, every once in a while cleaning routine can keep them useable for a long period of time. After deodorizing, Check for any hard stains and scrub them off. For scrubbing use a soft sponge and dishwashing liquid. After scrubbing, if you see any Mold or fungus clean it with and extra alcohol wipe and use a disinfectant solution at that place.
Medium Sunlight Is Better
Leave the disinfectant spray for 30 minutes and wipe it off later. Now leave the plastic storage box in the low sunlight to dry properly. After it is completely dry, cover it with it’s lid and use again. Make sure to choose a medium sunlight place for drying process, otherwise it’s colour and quality can be damaged.
3 Solutions to Remove Stains From Plastic
Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is used for deodorizing and stain removing. If you mix some white vinegar with baking soda and soak your food container in it. It can be a best solution to get rid of oil and food stains.
Squeak Cleaning Solution
If you mix only water and vinegar in equal parts and soak your plastic containers in it. It can easily remove all type of stains, odour and squeak clean it. White vinegar also work as bleaching agent, that you can use to make cloudy plastic clear again. It makes the plastic shine again.
Lemon & Salt Scrub
When life give you lemons cut them in half and dip them in salt, use this half lemon with table salt to scrub gently on the stain while squeezing it. Rinse thoroughly after the stain come off. This paste is universal solution to get rid of hard stains and spots.
How to Clean Hard Plastic
Sterilize The Plastic Bin
After you are done with cleaning and drying process of plastic bins, I recommend you to sterilize them very well for the next use. To sterilize them, boil a large pot of water in which some containers can easily soak and move. Mix 1 tablespoon of sea salt in it and soak food containers in it. Boil it for once and let them soak for 20 minutes. After this process you can use them.
Steam Sterilization
Sterilizing a plastic storage container can longer it’s safe usage. For large plastic outdoor storage bins you can steam sterilize them. If not available, you can use sterilizing machine available at market and sterilize them before further usage. This makes storage bin safer to use. Free of germs and bacteria.
Conclusion
To clean outdoor plastic storage bins, use an open and ventilated space to avoid skin allergies and chemical reactions. Use safety gear as needed. Remove all the waste in the plastic bin and dispose it off well. Use baking soda paste or powder in the first round.
You can wash these bins just with water and dish soap if these were used to store dry and harmless items like tools. Deodorize the plastic bin and make sure to check and remove any Mold. Get rid of extra moisture, odor and stains with the help of cleaning solutions. Dry them well in medium sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, specially food containers, you should clean , wash and sterilize them every 2 months. Boil them twice in a large pot and leave them in water for 20 minutes.
Large storage bins should be cleaned with water and cleaning solution. You can use a soft cloth to dip in water and solution, rub it all around and wash it with water. Dry storage bin properly before using it again.
To sterilize a large container use steam sterilizer or a machine used for sterilization. Or you can use boiling water for it. Fill your large container with hot water and repeat this process 3 times.
Boiling plastic is not recommended, as it can release harmful gases to environment. You can try disinfection, steam sterilization and deep cleaning methods. However, if water is already boiling, dip the container in and let it get boil for once and turn off the heat. Excessive boiling can damage the shape.
Yes, you should wash plastic container before first use. Washing any container or box before use is crucial. This particular habit keep you at the safe side of hygiene. Dishwashing liquid is a good solution for first time. Use warm water for washing it.
Use a disinfectant solution with water, vinegar, lemon essential oil, tea tree oil and apply it on a soft cloth. After 150-20 minutes wash it with water.
