Storage Buckets

**JMR** · 05-04-2011, 08:49 AM

Hi everyone. I'm a lurker, relatively new to prepping, who has a question.

I got some 5-gallon frosting buckets from Sam's Club that I want to use to store food. The folks at Sam's washed them. I scrubbed them outside with dish soap, a sponge, a brush and the hose. Then, I soaked them in hot water, soap and bleach in the bathtub, and scrubbed them again.

They still smell like frosting, and they're kind of greasy-feeling. How do I clean these thing? Or it impossible?

**jas** · 05-04-2011, 09:38 AM

They might always have a smell of frosting. If I were you I would put any food I was going to store in them in mylar bags sealed up not straight into the bucket.

**JMR** · 05-04-2011, 11:08 AM

Thank you. I will seal the wheat in bags first. I'm just worried about attracting ants with the frosting smell. Or maybe ants wouldn't be attracted to this frosting - there weren't any actual foods listed in the ingredients, just chemicals.

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-04-2011, 11:36 AM

You might leave them in the sun outdoors a few days. Sometime a little light solar radiation and fresh air will get rids of smells.

**MsMarieH** · 05-04-2011, 12:16 PM

Hmmm I wonder if sticking in a box of baking soda and some crumpled newspapers and leaving the lid on for a few days would help???

**lisaflex** · 05-04-2011, 05:34 PM

i say scrub it w/ baking soda and let it sit awhile. kind of make a paste of water and baking soda. just a thought...

**Mrs. Piggy Bank** · 05-04-2011, 06:48 PM

Charcoal works

**JMR** · 05-04-2011, 07:01 PM

Thank you all for the ideas. I'll give some of them a try.

**zakity** · 05-04-2011, 10:07 PM

No one suggested vinegar yet.

**NikoSan999** · 05-08-2011, 09:33 AM

I was going to say vinegar ... or kitty litter. Kitty litter will even take the smell of cigarette smoke out of books/clothes if it is place in garbage bag with book then twist tied. Takes about a week give or take. Then wash again.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-08-2011, 10:10 AM

Never knew about the kitty litter trick! Thanks.

**NikoSan999** · 05-08-2011, 10:13 AM

It's an old Ebay trick when selling books etc. It really depends on how bad but it definitely works to eliminate a bunch of it if not all. Longer left, more it absorbs. And since it's clean and absorbed it can be used over and over. No waste.