Thursday, April 16, 2015

Clean A Water Barrel

You can attach a hose for watering to most water barrels.


Water barrels are great for collecting excess rainwater that you can use to take care of your lawn, garden and the exterior of your home. Collecting water in barrels for these tasks helps you conserve precious resources, reduce pollution and save money. Generally, water barrels require very little maintenance, but from time to time you may want to clean your barrel. With a few common household items, you can get a dirty water barrel sparkling clean. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Empty your water barrel completely. Use your garden hose to rinse away any large pieces of debris that are in the barrel. Dump the remaining water and debris, then hose out the water barrel again.


2. Fill your water barrel about one-fourth with clean water.


3. Add a pound of baking soda. Sprinkle it evenly into the water so that it does not clump in one place.


4. Pour a half-gallon of distilled white vinegar into the water barrel. Pour slowly and evenly so the vinegar blends with the baking soda.


5. Seal the water barrel. The vinegar and baking soda will foam inside the barrel.


6. Roll the barrel around and turn it upside down so the vinegar and baking soda get onto all the interior sides of the water barrel.


7. Allow the water barrel to sit overnight with the baking soda and vinegar inside. In the morning, open the water barrel and use a scrub brush to loosen any debris still attached to the sides of the barrel.


8. Empty the contents of the water barrel. Rinse the water barrel several times with the garden hose to remove all of the baking soda and vinegar.

Tags: water barrel, baking soda, water barrel, your water barrel, baking soda vinegar, garden hose, into water