Bottle Cleaning Tips ? ?

[Yarrum]

Found a couple of bottles at the beach and was just wondering if there's any way to get rid of any left over salt, sand or dirt.
I've already tried boiling them which didn't really do much, I also tried rubbing them with and soaking them in bicarb soda. That really did nothing as well.
Any tips would be great.

Cheers
HH

[Chester Copper Pot]

Let's bump this one up. I was looking for some answers to this very same problem. What do people use to get all the gunk out of the old bottles??

[ashleen]

I've used the false teeth fizzie stuff before. efferdent or something like that.
But, mostly I just soak in hot soapy water with some bleach. (but then, i'm a bleach freak

[TreasureTales]

You might want to try cleaning them with CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) - it's a brand name for a cleaner. Bleach is good if there are no painted labels on the bottles. Or you can try using a stiff-bristled bottle brush with some Bon Ami (cleanser). Most of the time, it takes lots of elbow grease and some experimentation.

[Functional]

I've never encountered a bottle that needed much cleaning, but if a bottle brush, household cleaner and elbow grease don't do it, then maybe try a high pressure alternative using a vinegar and salt mixture in an old waterpic dental cleaner? (They shoot out at a pressure of about 1600 psi, (pressure is adjustable), if I recall correctly.)

Or, maybe try ultrasonic using either; sudsy ammonia, or creme of tartar and vinegar mixed to a thick soupy consistency? (Good for really grimy stuff, including that gunk burned onto your stove element trim and oven baked stains on pans, etc.) I wonder if, in some cases, a mashed, (or blended), potato('s) could be poured into a bottle to remove some kinds of stains?

In some cases, it might be possible to use high pressure steam, but thats something that could be dangerous. I bought a used espresso machine I'm planning to make into a steam cleaner, after seeing a local goldsmith/watch repair guy use one he made. Not sure if it would be suitable for bottles, but thought I would mention it as an option.

F.

[iammetalcore]

I have recently come into contact with a good spot that has some old stoneware bottles that came from the 1880's.

These are found underground and have a ton of dirt in them.

They are in great shape, but the logos are painted on I believe.

Any recommendations on how to clean these?

[DANGLANGLEY]

You have gotten some great tips on bottle cleaning. I learned something here too. I have always used straight bleach to clean the inside of bottles. A long bottle brush is a must too. I haven't had any problems using bleach on the painted labels but I always rinsed it off pretty quickly. I would be careful using very hot water, it might break a few if the bottles are much cooler than the water. Best of luck to you.

DANGLANGLEY

[Thor!]

We would clean the inside by cutting open a birdshot shotshell and pouring the shot and some water or solvent into the bottle and swish it around. I suppose you could try using rice if you don't have any shothells lying around.

[McGarnacle]

We would clean the inside by cutting open a birdshot shotshell and pouring the shot and some water or solvent into the bottle and swish it around. I suppose you could try using rice if you don't have any shothells lying around.

I've done the same using sea/kosher salt with good results.

[MrsNWLouisiana]

What about OxyClean powder that comes in the tub? You make a paste with water and let it sit for a while.

[laralucine]

I have recently come into contact with a good spot that has some old stoneware bottles that came from the 1880's.

These are found underground and have a ton of dirt in them.

They are in great shape, but the logos are painted on I believe.

Any recommendations on how to clean these?

The labels are probably glazed and fired, that's the way I've seen them, so shouldn't be a prob, but w/ stoneware you don't get the "sick" (white filmy scuzz) inside (or maybe you do - but you can't SEE it - which is the only reason to worry about removing it from clear glass, anyway). Water should be plenty for outside and for inside, just like people said - a sludgy salt/water mix or water w/ small pebbles like aquarium rocks - just swirl around and rinse. Let's see pix when you bring them home!

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

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all have a good un.........
SHERMANVILLE

[Yarrum]

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all have a good un.........
SHERMANVILLE

LOL I'll give it a shot

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
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rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,
rub, scrub, rub scrub,


all have a good un.........
SHERMANVILLE

LOL I'll give it a shot

[Charles, Oak Island, NC]

Found a couple of bottles at the beach and was just wondering if there's any way to get rid of any left over salt, sand or dirt.
I've already tried boiling them which didn't really do much, I also tried rubbing them with and soaking them in bicarb soda. That really did nothing as well.
Any tips would be great.

Cheers
HH

Being a river diver I pick up lots of old bottles covered in barnacles etc. I stick them in a 5 gal bucket of water with a quart of Muriatic acid and let them soak a couple of days then resins them with the garden hose.