Plant pots can be reused many times, but they must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent soil-borne pathogens from affecting new plants.
Supplies
- Dish detergent
- Household bleach: unscented, 5-9% sodium hypochlorite, not “splashless”, make sure it isn’t past its expiration date because the potency can be reduced
- Large buckets and/or tubs
- 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
- Remove soil from the inside and outside of the pots using a brush or rag.
- Wash the pots in soapy water and rinse.
- Soak the clean pots in the bleach solution for at least 10 minutes.
- Scour off remaining mineral deposits, if any, with a scouring pad or scraper.
- Store the clean pots well off of the ground so they won’t be contaminated.
- 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.