Plastic container previously used for detergent, reef safe?

[Rimsky]

I have nice plastic container that was previously used for some kind of detergent. The container does not seem to have any residue (soapy, oily, stains, etc.) but has a "fragrance" smell that I have not been able to get rid off, even after many many rinses with baking soda, vinegar, plain water, RO water, hot water, etc... I wonder if it is just the fragrance that remains trapped in the plastic, if it would be safe to use this container for storing RO and newly mixed saltwater.

 

[SlugSnorter]

maybe? better to be safe than sorry though, so consider getting a new one/

 

[JXNATC]

I wouldn't chance it. I would just go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get 5 gallon buckets & lids or a Brute can.

 

[kingoftheHiLLpeople]

I would not if fragrance persists

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Fragrances will soak into plastic as they are not generally charged molecules to allow them into the gas phase. They also generally are not especially toxic and I wouldn't worry much about them at the levels likely to be present.

Detergents generally won't penetrate plastic and a thorough rinse with warm water will remove them.

Thus, I'd use it after thorough rinsing.

 

[WVNed]

Fragrances will soak into plastic as they are not generally charged molecules to allow them into the gas phase. They also generally are not especially toxic and I wouldn't worry much about them at the levels likely to be present.

Detergents generally won't penetrate plastic and a thorough rinse with warm water will remove them.

Thus, I'd use it after thorough rinsing.

We get many threads asking if things are reef safe.

Perhaps you could make one on things that are especially NOT reef safe that are in the consumer market. I assume most plastics are generally safe for brief contact with tank water. Brushes and containers for food or general use like scrub buckets and things like that I generally use without concern.

 

[Gtinnel]

Randy said it’s likely safe and he is the expert, but why take that chance over a plastic container. I reuse containers but only if they had food products in them to start with. I assume (possibly incorrectly) that anything that was a food safe container is probably reef safe.

 

[Rimsky]

Fragrances will soak into plastic as they are not generally charged molecules to allow them into the gas phase. They also generally are not especially toxic and I wouldn't worry much about them at the levels likely to be present.

Detergents generally won't penetrate plastic and a thorough rinse with warm water will remove them.

Thus, I'd use it after thorough rinsing.

Thank you Randy.

The container has the ideal size/shape that I need, that is the reason I would like to use it. It has been rinsed sooo many times with RO, baking soda, vinegar, etc... that it does not have any residues whatsoever, just the persistent smell. I will go ahead and use it.