Alternatives to Chlorox for Cleaning Plants & Equipment

[ilsa]

Does anyone know of any alternatives to Chlorox, which is a nasty, horrible chemical, for cleaning milkweed plants/leaves and other Monarch-rearing equipment (tents, containers, etc.)? What about:

1. hydrogen peroxide? For example, 3% H2O2 available from the pharmacy.

2. essential oils; e.g., oregano, clove bud?

If these can be used, what would be the ratio of each of the above substances to water?

[Mona Miller]

http://www.educationalscience.com/merch ... tus=passed
Oe Sporacide Reagent, Concentrate, makes 4 gallons, OE100
I bought some, but never used it.

I use bleach in my washing machine. I fill the machine with warm water. Put in the bleach, fold the containers and let them soak. Then, I carefully take them out without spinning into the tube near the machine. After they drain a bit, I take an old towel and carry them to the shower. Be careful. Bleach takes out color from stuff. I know--I have bleach spots on some of my t-shirts. Use dish washing gloves and eye wear--you don't want to get the bleach in your eyes or on your skin. It goes right through your skin, that is why your hands feel slippery.

For the Glad containers. I run them through a hot dish washer and a double rinse. If the container is large, I put bleach in a squirt bottle, spray the container inside and out and then rinse with a hose. I leave it in the sun to dry. The sun sterilizes things, too.

[applestar]

I'm not saying this is correct, but I've been using peroxide.

I don't use bleach as a rule for anything. I considered using rubbing alcohol but the alcohol lingers far too long in the air to be safe.

My reasoning for using peroxide is that although peroxide is more damaging on direct contact, it quickly breaks down into water and oxygen. It's considered safe to use for cleaning aerated compost tea buckets which need to be cleaned thoroughly but you don't want any chemical residue.

[blazing star]

applestar,

You are using hydrogen peroxide? How has it worked? Do you dilute it? Have you successfully raised butterflies soaking leaves and eggs in it? How long do you soak everything?

I don't buy bleach, or use it for anything, and would like an alternative as well.

Please help.

[applestar]

I only use the peroxide for cleaning the containers and cages, not soaking eggs, cats, or leaves. I just use plain tap water to rinse them off.

I believe that the phytosphere (leaf surfac) microbial community includes both detrimental AND beneficial microorganisms. The chlorinated tap water wash would kill or weaken all of them, but hopefully still keep the balance. I would be concerned that excessive use of any antibiotic agent would result in survival of most aggressively persistent (usually the bad guys) microbes. -- This goes back to weakening the Monarchs concern I voiced elsewhere.

Purpose of rinsing is to remove more macro organisms like aphids and spores, as well as a thorough visual inspection of both sides of the leaves for eggs (both Monarch and others), silked on spiders and other bugs.

[blazing star]

Thanks. I don't like the concept of sterilizing things either. Nor do I like to use chemicals. Mona said that she only uses tap water also due to the fact that it's treated chemically. I have never rinsed my leaves, expect when they spray for mosquitoes, but will now make it a habit. I read I should soak the leaves for about 60 minutes in bleach to kill OE spores so I'll just soak them in regular tap water for that long. Thanks!