best way to wash plant pots?

Murrell

Hi all,

Can you just wash old plastic plant pots in hot soapy water that has just eco washing up liquid or do they need something special?

thanks in advance
Sandra

Lotus-eater

That would be fine to wash them in, I don't bother washing them at all.

retrocircles

I also don't wash! Just re-use. There is nothing dirtier than the ground surely?

Cleosmum

I dont wash mine out either

JupObs

You can use diluted Jeyes fluid if you have any lying around (I think it tells you the specific dilution rate on the tin),

olly300

I just use washing up liquid and warm water.

tanith

Jeyes fluid is good... pots should really be clean when you reuse or you can transfer nasties like fungal infections or bugs that were on the previous occupant of the pot... especially if you are planting seeds for germination...

A._Badger

I agree with Tanith. I think pots used for seed sowing or for striking cuttings should be clean, due to the risk of pathogens and beasties. I find Jeyes fluid a bit aggressive (though I do use it for cleaning my greenhouse), so I just use a good brush and washing up liquid with warm water.

Larumbelle

Cleaning? What's that? I don't bother either Although I would use jeyes fluid if the previous inhabitant of the pot had suffered from any kind of illness, and if it had suffered blight, powdery mildew, clubfoot or any of the other 'notorious' illnesses I would chuck the pot altogether.

Lotus-eater

Leave them outside, frozen winter, anything bad dead, why create work?

Larumbelle

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Leave them outside, frozen winter, anything bad dead, why create work?

I always thought that diseases like clubfoot (not that I've ever had that problem *shudders*) and funghi like powdery mildew and blight (unfortunately I have lost crops to both) could survive the winter. Am I wrong? Please tell me I'm wrong!