How to Clean Rain Barrels

A rain barrel is an asset that must be cleaned once a year.

A rain barrel saves money by conserving water. In regions of low rainfall or drought, a backup source of water can make the difference between a healthy garden and a sickly one. Watering with stale or algae-laden water will not harm plants, but stagnant water can breed insects and bacteria, as well as give off an offensive odor. Cleaning your rain barrel once a year removes odors and algae. The water also will give you a backup supply for toilet flushing and dish washing should your normal water supply be interrupted.

Things You'll Need

• Protective goggles
• Bucket or plastic watering can
• Chlorine bleach
• Garden hose
• Mesh screen
• Cleaning brush

Instructions

1. Open the tap or spigot on the outside of the barrel to drain it.

   While draining, remove leaves or debris that are clogging the tap or have accumulated in the bottom of the barrel.

   Close the tap once the barrel is drained.

2. Mix 3/4 cup of chlorine bleach and a gallon of water in the bucket or watering can. Pour the water and chlorine mixture into the barrel, coating the inside walls.

   Wearing protective goggles, hose the inside of the barrel thoroughly. Open the tap to empty the barrel and save the diluted solution.

3. Brush some of the the saved water-and-bleach solution on the outside of the barrel. Rinse the outside and let dry. Close the tap on the barrel. Both the inside and outside of the barrel are now cleaned and sterilized.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a screen over the intake hole or top of the rain barrel to collect debris and keep animals and children from falling in.

• For year-round rain barrel cleaning, pour 2 tbsp. of chlorine bleach into a full rain barrel every two weeks. This solution will prevent algae from growing and can be used safely on gardens.

• Use the saved water-and-bleach solution to clean and sterilize toilets or as laundry bleach and disinfectant.

• Wear old clothing. Contact with the bleach solution will strip color from fabrics and is harmful to unprotected skin. If you come in contact with bleach solution, rinse skin with clean water.

References

• Rainbarrel.net: spruce Spruce Creek Rainsaver: troubleshooting, maintenance & winter storage
• Southwest Florida Water Management District:: Rain Barrels: A Homeowner's Guide