Cleaning Out IBC

[julianf]

Its pretty easy to clean (non-mineral) oil out of containers, and they come up spotless.

Chuck in some caustic soda, with some water (add the water first).
When im doing 30 ltrs containers, i guess i have a 8 ltrs in the bottom, and then a few serving spoons of caustic.
Shake it up a bit, let it stand for a day or so (im in no hurry)
Turn it the other way up, let stand again.

(i know this does not mean all surfaces are soaked, but only the top and the bottom ever seem that problematic)

I then pour out, rinse out, and, if im fussed, then fill with water to the brim and let soak.

You can get a mankey MDPE container, and it will come up looking just like new inside.


Id say the method would be ideal for you. Keep turning the job, and let soak for a day on each side, and in a week, youll have it sorted.

 

[julianf]

just make sure you dont pour a load of caustic into the water, and end up with a slug of caustic at the bottom - it can get quite exothermic - enough so to melt through weaker stuff, but i wouldnt even risk it on an ibc - just make sure it mixes well.

and remember - the caustic is not fussy - it will turn the oil in the ibc to soap. it will do the same to the oil in your flesh.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

A big thank you to @julianf, after a week of the IBC bouncing round in the back of the van with the water and fairy liquid mixture failing to do anything I picked up a 500g bottle of caustic soda*, added it to 10l of hot water and carefully poured it into the IBC, the oil immediately dissolved and I ended up with a bright yellow soapy solution. Drained it off and rinsed it out with plenty of cold water and it's now sparkling clean inside.

*£2 from Wilcos

 

[Anguz]

chlorine tablets aint expensive...worth looking after the water, even if you dont intend to drink it