Can I clean out diesel from a water butt?

[glasgowdan]

I have acquired 4 water butts, the big blue plastic ones, that were being used to store diesel. Has anyone got a clue how I can clean them sufficiently to use on the allotment?

Thanks
Dan

[Paulottie]

Detergent and elbow grease.

ps. .... on the road. Oil contamination a problem in soil.

PPs. That said I have known folk soak peas in paraffin to stop mice and sprinkle it up a carrot row to stop fly.....not for me but hey it works.

[snakeshack]

scrub with neat washing up liquid then rinse out with hot water or blast off with pressure sprayer if available.

[Snadger]

I reckon cleaning with washing up liquid should do the job. Theoretically oil floats on water, so after a good scrub and rinse fill the tub with water and all residue should float away!

[kevnsue]

Try filling one with water and then put some cheap washing powder in give it a good stir and leave to soak,washing powder removes oil from tarmac and concrete so give it a try.

[glasgowdan]

Cheers. It's only got a couple of the small holes in the top so scurbbing it isn't an option, but I'll grab some cheapo powder and try that

[Creemteez]

i cleaned a diesel oil drum out by emptying the entire contents of a bottle of washing up liquid in to the empty drum. I then put the end of the hose into the small hole in the top and allowed it to fill by a few inches, then stuck a stick in and swirled it about to mix the detergent. After that it was a case of turning on the hose (on the "jet" setting )inside the drum to create lots of foam.As the drum filled, the foam increased and rose, carrying the majority of the oil with it. I just let the water run into it untill all the foam had been forced out and the water was running clear.

[Storming Norman]

I was offered some oil drums for water storage recently. I asked how to clean them to make suitable water storage and was told wash it out with petrol then leave it upside down or a few weeks and it will be clean.

Was I puzzled - oh yes.

[Snadger]

Try filling one with water and then put some cheap washing powder in give it a good stir and leave to soak,washing powder removes oil from tarmac and concrete so give it a try.

You may as well chuck your old gardening overalls in here as well for a well earned wash!