Quick Tips
When cleaning plastic, use a soft sponge to prevent scratching the plastic.
Exercise caution when leaving equipment in cleaners for extended periods of time as it may etch it. Understand the chemical and what materials are susceptible to it.
Gloves and glasses are a good idea when working with strong chemicals.
Cleaners and Sanitizers
This table is not a comprehensive list, but contains some of the common chemicals available to homebrewers.
| Item | Cleaner | Sanitizer | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baking Soda | √ | Nontoxic abrasive cleanser that can be used to clean equipment such as carboys and brew pots. | |
| TSP (Trisodium Phosphate) Food Grade | √ | Available at hardware stores, hot water and TSP speedily clean. | |
| PBW | √ | Powdered Brewery Wash, an alkali-based cleanser is used to remove stubborn deposits. Dissolve 1 ounce of PBW in 1 gal of hot water and soak equipment overnight to clean. Mitigate cost by buying in bulk. | |
| Sodium Percarbonate Cleaner | √ | Releases hydrogen peroxide when mixed with water. The peroxide attacks stains quickly. Buy crystal free and fragrance free versions and rinse well. | |
| One-Step | √ | Combines sodium percarbonate with alkaline agents. | |
| Star San | √ | Acid-based foaming sanitizer that is odorless, flavorless, and will not produce off-flavors. Sanitizes surfaces after 1 to 2 minutes of exposure. ¼ ounce Star San to 1 gallon of cold water. No rinse sanitizer. Keep a small spray bottle of fresh star san on hand for quick touch-ups. | |
| SaniClean | √ | Has a “no foaming” agent, but requires more contact time. Acid based no rinse sanitizer. |
