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How to Clean a Plastic Bucket

Kathryn Hatter

Plastic buckets serve a multitude of purposes both inside and outside the home. Use a plastic bucket for storage or for cleaning. Some purposes for your plastic bucket may necessitate the bucket being clean before you use it. With an impeccably sanitized and clean plastic bucket, you can put this item to good use.

Clean a plastic bucket to reuse it.
  1. Add four large squirts of dishwashing detergent to the bottom of the bucket and add 2 inches of hot water. Scrub all inside and outside surfaces of the bucket thoroughly with the scrub brush. Pour out the soapy water and rinse the bucket with warm water to remove all soap residues.

  2. Fill the bucket to the top with hot water and pour 1 cup of baking soda over the water surface. Stir the baking soda and water with a stick or long spoon to dissolve it. Cover the bucket. If the bucket does not have a lid, cover it with aluminum foil. Set the bucket in the sun and leave it undisturbed for 48 hours.

  3. Pour out the contents of the bucket after the time elapses. Rinse the bucket well and fill it with warm water. Add 2 cups chlorine bleach to the bucket, cover it again and place it back in the sun.

  4. Empty the bucket after 48 hours, rinse it thoroughly and allow the bucket and lid to dry completely in the sun.

The Drip Cap

  • Plastic buckets serve a multitude of purposes both inside and outside the home.
  • Some purposes for your plastic bucket may necessitate the bucket being clean before you use it.
  • Add four large squirts of dishwashing detergent to the bottom of the bucket and add 2 inches of hot water.
  • Stir the baking soda and water with a stick or long spoon to dissolve it.