Cleaning and washing of plastic products: dishes, teapots, barrels, etc.

Despite the fact that plastic is considered a material that is quite unpretentious in everyday life, you should not use products containing coarse abrasive particles or alkaline substances, as well as hard sponges, washcloths and metal “brushes” during cleaning.

These devices will only scratch the plastic surface, spoil the appearance of the product and give free rein to the bacteria that will begin to accumulate in the grooves and microcracks.

How to wash plastic dishes

In order to wash plastic dishes, you will need warm water, regular dishwashing detergent or liquid soap. Remember, not all plastic is resistant to boiling water: if the water temperature exceeds 60-70 ° C, plates, bowls and containers are more likely to develop a “mesh” of cracks.

Products made of heat-resistant plastic can be sent to the dishwasher, but only if a special icon on the bottom of the dish informs about this possibility.

Remove dried food from the plastic as follows: soak the dishes in warm water, adding a couple of drops of detergent. Half an hour is enough for the remnants of the food to “move away”.

Most of all, housewives are not confused by fat (it is just washed off the walls of plastic dishes without problems), but by an unpleasant smell that eats into the surface. Try to get rid of the smell by one of the following methods:

1. Pour 1 cup of warm water and ¼ cup of 9% table vinegar, a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent into the container. Close the container with a lid, shake vigorously for a minute, leave for an hour. Next, drain the water and rinse the dishes with cold water.
2. Baking soda has a similar effect. Dilute the soda with warm water to a paste state, treat the walls of a bowl, plate or ladle with the resulting composition. Leave overnight and wash off with cold water in the morning.
3. Coffee beans, charcoal or activated charcoal are considered good absorbents. Put 5-6 grains or "charcoal" tablets in a container, leave under a tightly closed lid for two hours until the smell passes into an absorbent.
4. Rub the inside of the container with lemon juice (or just lemon peel), leave to ventilate for two to three hours. At the end of the procedure, rinse the dishes with water.
5. Vanillin will also help (do not confuse with vanilla sugar). It is enough to fill the vessel with water and add one or two pinches of fragrant powder there, tightly “cork”. Rinse the container after two to three hours.

How to wash a plastic barrel (tank or canister) from dirt and mold

Washing a plastic drinking canister or tank is a laborious task, but among home remedies there are “helpers” who can handle even such a difficult task. All methods combine the action of cleaning, disinfecting agents and mechanical cleaning.

Technology: pour one of the products suggested below into a tank or barrel, close the lid and shake well (twist or roll). The smallest particles will polish the container from the inside, and the active substances will destroy the accumulated bacteria.

To make the process more efficient, fill the barrel not completely, but about a quarter. Do not forget to rinse the container with cool water after cleaning and dry it naturally.

Cleaning products:

• Baking soda is a mild abrasive that also effectively fights microorganisms. 2 teaspoons of powder are enough for 1 liter of water.
• As an alternative to soda, use clean (calcined) sand, sawdust, coffee grounds, millet (at the rate of 200-300 grams per 10 liters of water). For a stronger effect, add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
• Saturated (bright pink) solution of potassium permanganate not only disinfects the surface, but also removes a pronounced "marsh" smell.

It is necessary to clean tanks, barrels, canisters from accumulated dirt, sediment and mold (greenery) at least once every 2-3 months.

Cleaning a plastic kettle from scale and dirt

Table 9% vinegar (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water), citric acid (1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water), potato or apple peels will help clean the plastic kettle from scale and a layer of dirt (a couple of medium potatoes or small apples are enough for 1 liter of water).

Method: pour water into the kettle, add the "active" agent, bring to a boil, and then let it brew for 30-60 minutes. Pour the composition, walk along the inside of the kettle with a clean soft sponge and rinse the dishes well with cold water.

Cleaning other plastic products and furniture

Plastic combs require not only constant cleaning, but also disinfection. Citric acid, ammonia or 9% table vinegar will cope with these tasks.

Prepare a soap solution, add 1 tbsp. a spoonful of funds (per 1 liter). Soak the comb for an hour, and then wash with plain water. It will destroy bacteria and a weak solution of potassium permanganate: hold the comb in it for an hour.

To wash plastic items like children's toys (cubes, cars), soak them in a solution of laundry soap. Use pre-soaking (for half an hour) and an old toothbrush - dirt in small recesses and joints will disappear without a trace. Once the procedure is completed, rinse the toys under running water and leave to dry naturally.

Similarly, you can clean plastic furniture. But instead of soaking, thoroughly wipe the contaminated surface with a sponge dipped in soapy water, then rinse with water and dry with a clean rag.