Best Way to Clean Old Bottles?

[River Rat]

I searched under the Cleaning & Preservation forum but most recommendations are for coins. I have several old medicine bottles that have dried mud caked inside & one is filled to the rim with dried mud. A good soak in water is what they need, but to really clean them good is what I am looking for.

In the past I used toothbrushes (if they fit into the neck), a clothes hanger cut with small rag on the end, most bottle brushes are too big. I normally use a good dish soap & vinegar to sparkle them up.

Thanks!

HH

 

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[bk]

Check out a laboratory supply catalog like VWR Scientific, or Fisher Scientific. They usually have about every style and size of brush you could imagine.
Also, I have used sand and water to remove gunk from inside the bottles. You may need to shake it for a while. If the material in the bottle is organic (like tar) you may need to soak the bottle in a good solvent first.

 

[CACHEHNTR]

I use popcorn kernels. You can find them at any grocery store a good covering in the bottom of the bottle and fill half full of water and shake shake shake. They do a great job of getting gunk out of the inside. I have had bottles that were pretty filthy inside come out nice and clean with this method.

 

[River Rat]

Thanks for the tips...makes one wonder why we didn't think of that to begin with, LOL. Popcorn? nice hint, been eons since I bought a plain bag of popcorn. With the popcorn is mind, I'm thinking why not try rice...uncooked of course.

HH

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Try one of those denture tab cleaner thingys.....break up a tab and fill with hot water......another trick is baking soda and peroxide mixed .....

 

[EDDE]

hot water and soap in a water pick.....

 

[Marty-Graw]

dont forget pipe cleaners

 

[PBK]

For the fill-and-shake method, try using bird shot or BB's instead of sand. Limeaway or CLR will get rid of some stains.

Check out the links at:

http://www.antiquebottles.com/cleaning.html

 

[JakePhelps]

I have used copper plated BBs before and they worked really good. Also iv tryed DCD cleaner and a soak with that plus BBs made it really nice.