How can I safely clean a plastic basin that's been used for soaking human waste-related cloths?

November 9, 2006 8:51 PM

How can I safely clean a plastic basin that's been used for soaking human waste-related cloths?

MenstrualAftermathFilter!

I use flannel reusable sanitary cloths, and they're wonderful. Part of the laundering process is to pre-soak them before sticking them in the washing machine.

I usually just leave them immersed in the bathroom sink overnight, but recently due to sink issues I had to use my plastic basin instead.

What can I do to safely clean the basin? I rinsed it out thoroughly, but I'm not sure what cleaning products are okay to use on it. I'd like to continue using it for its usual purposes: hand-washing clothes, soaking my feet, and possibly pre-soaking the girlyrags again. (Note: I am the only person using this basin!)

Thanks!

posted by cadge to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

Bleach, dilute solution of.
posted by orthogonality at 8:57 PM on November 9, 2006

I don't know if this is part of your washing process, but soaking in cold water and ammonia will really help, y'know, get the blood out.
posted by nekton at 8:59 PM on November 9, 2006

Seconding bleach.
posted by Pollomacho at 9:14 PM on November 9, 2006

Piping up for mandatory "don't mix ammonia and bleach" warning.
posted by LobsterMitten at 9:38 PM on November 9, 2006

As LobsterMitten says, mixing bleach (hypochlorite) and ammonia produces chloramine, which is poisonous.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 10:25 PM on November 9, 2006

In all honesty, I don't understand what the problem is. A good scrub with hot soapy water will be fine. You're not planning on mixing food in it, are you? (Though even if you were, that shouldn't be an issue.) Bleach or ammonia is surely more likely to be harmful to your health than any perceived problems from soaking pads.

/genuinely not snark, just confused.
posted by different at 1:00 AM on November 10, 2006

I just use dish soap when I clean out the lidded ceramic jar I use for the same purpose. You might want to leave it soaking for a few minutes if it has corners that are hard to get into, but I don't see a need for bleaching it out. (Unless it's squicking you, in which case, do what you need to do to make it seem clean in your mind.)
posted by cobaltnine at 5:11 AM on November 10, 2006

I had pretty much the same reaction as different. Hot soapy water seems like it would be fine to me.
posted by corvine at 6:50 AM on November 10, 2006

Response by poster: Great! No, no squickishness or supercleanliness here. I just wanted to make sure that I got the thing clean enough for non-menstrual reuse and in a way that won't cause any chemical issues with the plastic. I didn't want to try cleaning it and then later find out something like "OMG you should never use that kind of cleaning agent on it it will offgas toxins now get out of the house!!!1!"

I personally know the "do not mix ammonia and bleach" rule but big thanks to everyone who ever pipes up with that reminder! It is always useful!
posted by cadge at 7:00 AM on November 10, 2006

I soak mine in a plastic bucket that I wash with hot soapy water. Sometimes I run the bucket through the dishwasher. I usually don't use the bucket for anything else, but the one time I did (for cleaning the kitchen) my worry was that cleaning product residue would get into the pads. Heh.
posted by jennyb at 9:08 AM on November 10, 2006