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Disinfecting propagators, seed trays, pots for growing tomatoes etc from seed

Maria.RMaria.R Posts: 5
in Fruit & veg
Is hot soapy water enough for this? Or do you use something stronger? I've also read about using vinegar to disinfect. I know I worry a bit too much about this sort of thing but just wanted to know what other people do. 
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  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Unless you know there have been problems with mould, or mildew etc then no real need to worry.  There are proprietary products based on citrus, but only required if you've had problems.  If you do use anything to clean or disinfect always leave the product on for one or two minutes of "contact time" ,then rinse off. Too many ads on TV show people spraying this or that on and wiping immediately all products need a bit  of time to work.
    AB Still learning

  • Butterfly66Butterfly66 Posts: 970
    I agree, don’t worry unless you e had a particular issue. I’ve never cleaned mine and never had any noticeable problems
     If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”—Marcus Tullius Cicero
    East facing, top of a hill clay-loam, cultivated for centuries (7 years by me). Birmingham
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I just use a cheap washing up liquid and hot water these days. Back in the day l used Jeyes Fluid but l believe that's frowned upon now, and the washing up liquid is good enough imo.

    I know a lot of people don't bother, but l feel better for doing it  :)
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I tend to use washing up liquid because I just like to start with everything being clean but nature isn't sterile.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    Hello @Maria.R
    I am like @AnniD and @thevictorian and just use ordinary washing up liquid and hot water. I do like to start with nice clean pots and after I have finished my ordinary washing up and have hot water still in my bowl I will use that to wash any pots requiring cleaning.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • JohnjoeJohnjoe Posts: 77
    Seed trays and small pots, well-rinsed first,  go through the Dishwasher in this house.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    As said above, unless you have had problems with a particular issue, it's not necessary to use disinfectant, soap or anything else really. 
    I don't bother unless they are for houseplants and a simple wipe round with a damp cloth is usually all that's needed.  
    I've not encountered any problems with my Toms whether I use pots or potato sacks - just emptied at the end of the season and stored until needed.

  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    I don't bother either. In the past, I have cleaned tomato pots that had blighty tomatoes in them with Jayes Fluid then instantly regretted it (and worried about my cats' and other animals). It's vile stuff.
  • Maria.RMaria.R Posts: 5
    Thanks everyone for your replies. I think it's only since having tomato blight a few times that I started to worry about this sort of thing, but I know that would only be an issue with the bigger pots anyway. I'll stick with hot soapy water for the seedling pots, and will look up the citrus cleaner for the blighted pots. Thanks again :)
  • Jolly Gary the GardenerJolly Gary the Gardener Posts: 133
    Jeyes fluid is great for disenfecting green houses etc and is good for treating the ground around roses that have black spot.Its quite safe as long as the directions for use is followed.
    Happy gardening
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