+art begotti Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 at a recent mass garage sale shindig, i managed to buy up a bunch of rubber-sealed tupperware containers that would be caching. (i knew they would be, as i have found caches with the exact same types of containers.) however, with the whole problem of food in caches, other scents in caches, etc, i'm wondering if there's some way to clean the containers and remove their scents. any method or chemical to use or not use? or shouldnt i worry about the smells from the previous owners' contents? Quote
AC Student Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 I run second hand tupperware through the dishwasher, or hand wash with dish soap and hot water. Quote
+art begotti Posted August 21, 2004 Author Posted August 21, 2004 so what you're saying is that regular dishsoap wont have any scents that will cause problems? Quote
+strikeforce1 Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 however, with the whole problem of food in caches, other scents in caches, etc, i'm wondering if there's some way to clean the containers and remove their scents. any method or chemical to use or not use? or shouldnt i worry about the smells from the previous owners' contents? Her's an off the wall tactic we've used: If you really want to camo to food smells after washing with soap. Take some used motor oil from your car's "oil change" or grab a bit from the dip stick and smear it the out side of the container and let it sit about an hour to allow the plastic to absorb the smell. Then wipe off the residue. This has worked well for my hunting buddies and me, at keeping little critters ( birds and mice ) away from plastics and ropes! Harsher chemicals will break down the plastics very quickly. Some chemicals will act like acid, and eat right thru the plasics before your eyes. Do not taste test this remidy. SF1 Quote
+briansnat Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 (edited) If food was stored in them, use them to store food and buy new ones. You can wash and soak them all you want and some animals will will still smell them. In the beginning I used one that went through a week of dishwasher cycles, then was soaked in baking soda for a few days, then Oxy Clean. Confident that it was odor free, I placed it and within 3 days it was gnawed through. Its replacement, bought new, lasted over a year and was in fine shape when I archived the cache. Every other used container that I robbed from our cabinet had animal damage, while I only noticed one new one that had teeth marks in it, out of many. Edited August 21, 2004 by briansnat Quote
+CompuCash Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 I have had good luck cleaning plastic of smells and discolloring (tomato) by soaking in soapy dish soap water with a little bleach in it. Quote
+flask Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 steel wool and pumice powder. and i'm not talking about candy-pantsed brillo padds, wither. i'm talking restaurant grade materials. small explosives also work well. good for laundry problems, too. Quote
AC Student Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 so what you're saying is that regular dishsoap wont have any scents that will cause problems? I can only report on my experiences. I've had nothing but great results - no problems - with containers that I wash with regular dish soap and rinse with hot water. Quote
+dzdiver Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 Use the tupperware for food items and get Ammo cans for the caches. Nothing like a genuine ammo can for durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance. Check with your local gun shops, military surplus dealers, or www.cheaperthandirt.com Quote
+CYBret Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 I used baby formula containers for a multi I placed. There were the kind that come from hospital nurseries. When I first placed them, they had been washed in a dishwasher, then had baking soda put in them and sealed for days. No good...the squirrels were still chewing through them. The only thing that seemed to make a difference was boiling them in a mixture of bleach, water, and dish soap. The containers no longer get gnawed on, but they still tick the squirrels off and they toss them out of their homes. Dang squirrels. Bret Quote
+DavisFamily Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 Use the tupperware for food items and get Ammo cans for the caches. Nothing like a genuine ammo can for durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance. Check with your local gun shops, military surplus dealers, or www.cheaperthandirt.com Our local park district won't allow ammo boxes, and it seems like I've read that in others' posts as well. What is the next best thing? Tupperware? Quote
+CompuCash Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 I buy 2 qt plastic jars at the local dollar store - nice wide mouth - won't take really large items but they work really well and have enough room for a lot of stuff. I also buy 10x10x4" plastic boxes that work well. I hope you use TW generically because they cost a lot. The cheep throw away storage boxes don't hold up very well. Quote
DaJeep Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 Also note that some animals have learned the smell of plastic containers in more popular areas and know that people store food in them. In many camp areas and other frequent picnic locations, I have seen racoons and squirrels go for the plastic regardless of the actual contents. Had a skunk once cew into a large plastic rubermaid bin that I used to store propane canisters. In bear areas, I would NEVER use plastic anymore. We either store stuff in the car, or if backpacking tree it all. About 4 years ago we had a pair of black bear cubs wander into our campsite one morning. Never did see momma, but they found our cook grate, and sniffed up the tree at our trash. Thankfully they left our tent location alone, but the fact that we could not see momma bear was keeping the 'excitement' level quite high. Probably more urban/suburban areas and the really remote caches would be OK, but Be aware of those crafty critters. Quote
+Torry Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 I can also warn against using the big plastic coffee containers. I found one thoroughly chewed up. The scented eraser inside didn't help much either. Use new plastic only wherever possible. If the rules say no ammo boxes, try tackle boxes. Quote
+briansnat Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 (edited) Use the tupperware for food items and get Ammo cans for the caches. Nothing like a genuine ammo can for durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance. Check with your local gun shops, military surplus dealers, or www.cheaperthandirt.com Our local park district won't allow ammo boxes, and it seems like I've read that in others' posts as well. What is the next best thing? Tupperware? Tupperware is kind of expensive to use. One of the better plastic containers I've used are the Rubbermaid Seal 'n Savers, the ones with the blue, rubber rim on the lid. My local supermarket has them on sale for half price every other month. Lock n Locks are pretty good as well, but I can't seem to find them anymore. Nalgene Straight Jars are also good, clear containers. They are inexpensive, watertight durable and come in several sizes ranging from a 1 oz. micro, to a 16 oz. regular cache. If the rules say no ammo boxes, try tackle boxes. Tackle boxes aren't waterproof and if clear containers are required, they don't cut it. Edited August 21, 2004 by briansnat Quote
+The NEOGeodogs Posted August 21, 2004 Posted August 21, 2004 Lock & Lock are the container of choice for us. They're waterproof, hold up to the cold, are clear (we camouflage most of them though) and come in a wide variety of sizes. You can get them straight from the U.S. distributor here... Hertitage Mint Lock & Lock page Quote
+Torry Posted August 22, 2004 Posted August 22, 2004 Our local park district won't allow ammo boxes, and it seems like I've read that in others' posts as well. What is the next best thing? Tupperware? Tupperware is kind of expensive to use ...Nalgene Straight Jars ... If the rules say no ammo boxes, try tackle boxes. Tackle boxes aren't waterproof and if clear containers are required, they don't cut it. Some are ... look around ... Quote
+SixDogTeam Posted August 23, 2004 Posted August 23, 2004 WE wash with mineral spirits, then rinse in water. Quote
+Thot Posted August 23, 2004 Posted August 23, 2004 (edited) There was an entire thread on the subject of waterproof containers a few days ago -- Click Here In that thread someone mentioned these acrylic containers According to the ad they're airtight, featuring a chromed latch locking mechanism and rubber ring for a snug seal. You can find them at linens and things or bed bath and beyond. They are a little pricy but not too bad. We constantly get coupons from BB&B. With a coupon I have now I can get a set of 3 for $10. I've never had any personal experience with them, but they really appeal to me. Edited August 23, 2004 by Thot Quote
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