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I have kindly been given two ancient demijohns. Unfortunately they have been sat outside in someone's garden for quite some time and have algae, snails etc in them. It's not crusted on so I'm pretty confident I can clean them, there's no cracks etc. Is there any reason why I shouldn't use these if I can clean and sterilise them properly?? Thanks for any advice!

Try using the bottle brush & tap water, then submerge in the sink(& leave to soak) in a solution of water & Campden tablets (available from chemists that stock home-brew equipment). Basically, any thing containing Sodium Metabisulphite is a good steralising agent.

Yeah there is no point in trying to sterilise them until they are clean.

I recently had some really manky ones given to me... I just scrubbed with a bottle brush, then left them to soak (hot water and washing up liquid) then gave them another scrub, then another overnight soak, etc,etc,etc... It took 3 or 4 soakings to get all the scum off, then a regular sterilisation process to get them, well... sterile.... I use milton baby sterilising fluid, because I use it else where in the house so I had a bottle of it about.

Dear Mrs Miggins,

Get a metre of sink plug chain, put it in the demijohn with a little water and serilizer and give it several vigorous shakes. Shifts manky scum that bottle brushes can't reach!

Love and Peace
Jim

I use gravel - a few handfulls in the demijohn with washing-up liquid and wamish water. Leave to soak, swirl it round and repeat. Not recomended to do it over a concrete path though, and try not to drop it on your toe

Marc

Thanks guys, they're soaking now and I'll try all of these tips! By the way, I rescued the snails first!

Marc wrote:I use gravel - a few handfulls in the demijohn with washing-up liquid and wamish water. Leave to soak, swirl it round and repeat. Not recomended to do it over a concrete path though, and try not to drop it on your toe

Marc

I'm sorry, but this did make me laugh!

How's the toe now?

probably less flat