Disinfecting and winter cleaning

Cole_Robbie · August 21, 2012

I was planning on not using my greenhouse until the early spring, in the hopes that a winter freeze would help to kill bugs and disease inside. But now I'm reading that Early Blight spores are not killed by freezing. I was planning on doing some cleaning and disinfecting anyway, and I'm trying to pick out the right products.

Diluted bleach is cheap, but I think it would be corrosive to the greenhouse plastic. I can still use bleach for the gravel floor, benches, and pots. I have a pressure washer I can spray the gravel with if that helps.

Physan 20 is sold in the catalog I order most of my supplies from. At $6/pint, diluted to 2 tbls/gal, it is not very expensive. I'm hoping that it won't hurt the greenhouse plastic. I might check with the manufacturer just in case.

I also have to remove the diluted latex paint that I sprayed as a shade coating. From what I read, a basic dish soap like Joy or Dawn will work to remove the paint without damaging the plastic, as long as only a soft rag, brush, or sponge is used.

If anyone has suggestions beyond the bleach and Physan, I am all ears. Thanks!

August 21, 2012	#1
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Disinfecting and winter cleaning I was planning on not using my greenhouse until the early spring, in the hopes that a winter freeze would help to kill bugs and disease inside. But now I'm reading that Early Blight spores are not killed by freezing. I was planning on doing some cleaning and disinfecting anyway, and I'm trying to pick out the right products. Diluted bleach is cheap, but I think it would be corrosive to the greenhouse plastic. I can still use bleach for the gravel floor, benches, and pots. I have a pressure washer I can spray the gravel with if that helps. Physan 20 is sold in the catalog I order most of my supplies from. At $6/pint, diluted to 2 tbls/gal, it is not very expensive. I'm hoping that it won't hurt the greenhouse plastic. I might check with the manufacturer just in case. I also have to remove the diluted latex paint that I sprayed as a shade coating. From what I read, a basic dish soap like Joy or Dawn will work to remove the paint without damaging the plastic, as long as only a soft rag, brush, or sponge is used. If anyone has suggestions beyond the bleach and Physan, I am all ears. Thanks!