Cleaning Plant Pots

Plant pots can be reused many times, but they must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent soil-borne pathogens from affecting new plants.

Supplies

1. Dish detergent
2. Household bleach: unscented, 5-9% sodium hypochlorite, not “splashless”, make sure it isn’t past its expiration date because the potency can be reduced
3. Large buckets and/or tubs
4. Eye, hand, and clothing protection to prevent problems due to handling bleach

Preparation

Set up a tub of soapy water for the initial cleaning by mixing dish detergent with water. Put on your protective gear and set up a tub of bleach solution, being careful to avoid splashing the bleach. Use one part bleach to 9 parts water. For example:

• ½ gallon of bleach + 4 ½ gallons of water (works well in a 5-gallon bucket)
• 1 ¾ cups of bleach + 1 gallon of water

Use the bleach solution within 24 hours to ensure it is fully effective.

Cleaning

1. Remove soil from the inside and outside of the pots using a brush or rag.
2. Wash the pots in soapy water and rinse.
3. Soak the clean pots in the bleach solution for at least 10 minutes.
4. Scour off remaining mineral deposits, if any, with a scouring pad or scraper.
5. Store the clean pots well off of the ground so they won’t be contaminated.
6. The cleaning solutions can be poured down the drain or toilet.

References

“How to Clean and Disinfect Plant Containers | Horticulture and Home Pest News.” Horticulture and Home Pest News, https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/how-clean-and-disinfect-plant-containers. Accessed 21 July 2023.

“How to Wash Pots - North Coast California Native Plant Society.” North Coast CNPS, https://northcoastcnps.org/native-plant-nursery-sales/how-to-wash-pots/. Accessed 21 July 2023.