Need help cleaning old glass (milk) bottlesgreenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread |
Can anyone tell me how to clean some old milk bottles That have been in a barn for decades? There is a thin layer of dirt that just won't come off. Hot water and soap does not work. Bon ami and a scrub brush does not work. I'm considering covering them with water in a large pot and throwing some denture cleaning tablets in with them. Any ideas?
-- debra in ks (solid-dkn@msn.com), January 22, 2001
Debra, I'd try bleach and water, or straight vinegar. You can just put in a little, see if it takes the film off on the bottom. If it does, great, use that method. I fear, however, that it has been etched into the glass. I have found many old bottles that I just cannot get clean. I haven't tried the denture tablets, though, That might work.I don't know what makes a dirty film etch into the glass, but it seems to be a frequent occurence. :-(
-- Joy Froelich (dragnfly@chorus.net), January 22, 2001.
I was told to use baking soda and vinegar. It will fizz! Or an alka selzer tablet. Doesn't work for everything though. Good luck!
-- Shau Marie (shau@centurytel.net), January 22, 2001.
Use Barkeeper's Friend. You can find it in the cleaning aisle of your grocery store, by the Comet and Ajax. I have cleaned antique bottles with it before and it worked well. It is also good for cleaning rust and orange water stains on sinks and tubs!
-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 22, 2001.
I've had some luck with table salt...use at least a teaspoon full and add just enough water for it to swish around. Cover the top of the bottle with your hand and shake it real hard. Do it quick before the salt dissolves in the water. The grittiness of the salt seems to get rid of some of the dirt film. Hey, I bet plain sand would work even better...
-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 22, 2001.
I think hot soapy water with some ammonia and let it soak for awhile might work. I don't think you want to use anything abrasive on them.
-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), January 22, 2001.
iv had good luck with soapy water and bbs just rob some from your kids bb gun. Bob in se.ks.
-- Bobco (bobco@hit.net), January 22, 2001.
Wow, where are all you Kansans from? Emporia area here.My hubby used a mixture of pretzel salt and course sand, shaking it every now and then for a few days, and some of the stuff came off, but not all. I think denture cleaner is an inspired idea. Best of luck.
-- Marty (Mrs.Puck@Excite.com), January 22, 2001.
Try putting in a couple tablespoons of baking soda and then filling with hot tap water and letting them sit overnight.
-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), January 22, 2001.
Hi, I collect glass, and when I have a hard water stain, or something on that line I use the denture tablets, and they work great, you might try this.Beth(NC)
-- Beth(NC) (craig@icu2.net), January 22, 2001.
Denture tablets are cheap -- give it a try. I used to clean out antique bottles found in junk heaps that way, and it cleaned out a lot of the gunk. You could also think about trying CitraSolv on it. That's an orange peel cleaner that cleans off pretty well on it's own. Try coating them with a thin layer, perhaps with a soaked paper towel to hold it on a while before washing with hot soap and water. It budges a lot of junk and is fairly safe.
-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), January 23, 2001.
Well, a lot of folks have mentioned the denture tablets, and that is indeed a good idea. If it doesn't work, here's another idea, using the most horrific cleaner known to man (OK, you feminists -women!). Make a solution of your favorite auto dishwasher powder and water in a 1 to 20 solution and let it sit in the bottle for a day. Then run it through the dishwasher or clean it in quite hot water with a bottle brush. If that doesn't work, send it to me anbd I will smash it into cleanliness! GL!
-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), January 27, 2001.
Great for glass on wood stoves, windows etc. If door removeable let it set on the glass for several minutes before removing with paper towels. This may help clean the inside of the bottles.Glass Cleaner 2 oz rubbing alcohol 2 oz non sudsing ammonia 12 oz water Store in spray bottle
-- Joyce (Baylady101@centurytel.net), June 24, 2001.
if none of those work, use muriatic acid(hydrochloric acid). It's sold in hardware stores fairly cheap and used to clean bricks mostly. Be aware that it can also remove paint so only use inside the bottle if you want to preseve the labels. Fine steel wool or wet emery paper would remove any mineral deposits on the outside if you're careful to not take the paint off also.
-- April (atobias@yahoo.com), June 24, 2001.
Hi, try oven cleaner.It's what we use to clean glass that's been smoke damagged from house fires. I've used it on antique glass with good sucess. Do not use this on china or porclain dishes.
-- Peg (Ashlinep@localnet.com), June 27, 2001.