How do you clean the inside of a plastic gas container?

Question

I found an older plastic gas can in my garage. Its still in good condition...except for the black sludge film in the bottom.

How do I clean it off?

Answer 1

I admire that you are trying to recylce. However, these plastic gas containers are usually very affordable. You may want to just buy a new one, because why risk the chance of foreign materials going into the motor.

Answer 2

Two ways to do this.
1> Put some new, clean gas in the jug, say a quart or two, and put the cap on the container and shake till the sludge is dissolved into the gas, then dispose of the gas. Recycle if you can.
2> Hot water and soap, shake and dump. Repeat till gone.

Answer 3

I'd say use a organic degreaser.

Using harsh chemical degreasers such as trichloroethelyene can degrade the strength of your plastic gas container.

I've had a quick search through some US sites and this degreaser seems to be what your looking for.

Answer 4

I would put some fresh gas in it slosh it around possibly with some marbles then pour the sludge out.

Water will not break up the varnish at the bottom of the can

Answer 5

Gasoline is a solvent, use Gas to clean it out, that way you know you're not adding a contaminant that might mess up whatever engine you're filling the tank of. Not sure what you do with the dirty gas after though.

Answer 6

I would go pick up a solvent/ of course check to make sure that it will not cause any chemical reactions, and then add it to the container and allow it to sit before you rinse the can with high pressure water.

Answer 7

You could try the "gas tank" cleaning routine. Put a piece of chain and some solvent in it and shake it around. Since they're so inexpensive, I'd just deep-six it and get a new one...

Answer 8

hot soapy water ...use Dawn diswashing liquid

Answer 9

lick it out

Answer 10

soap?