Are rinsed out plastic milk jugs safe for storing water?

Over some time I have accumulated several plastic milk jugs and I'm considering using them to store water in case of an emergency. I've rinsed them out and left them to dry, but should I worry about cleaning them further? Should I use dish soap/scrub brushes? Will the cleaned jugs be sealed tightly enough to prevent the water from becoming contaminated?

food-preservation water

Best Answer

Cleaned jugs are, but ones that are only rinsed aren't. After the milk is gone, wash the inside of the jug with hot water and anti-bacterial soap. Rinse with super-purified or distilled water to avoid the risk of re-introducing contaminants to the inside of the jug. I store the filled bottles in my cold room for six months, then use the water and replace my stores.

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Quick Answer about "Are rinsed out plastic milk jugs safe for storing water?"

Cleaned jugs are, but ones that are only rinsed aren't. After the milk is gone, wash the inside of the jug with hot water and anti-bacterial soap. Rinse with super-purified or distilled water to avoid the risk of re-introducing contaminants to the inside of the jug.

Can you store water in empty milk jugs?

If your water comes from a public water supplier or is disinfected, you can store it in clean soda bottles or milk jugs with screw-on tops.

How long can you keep water in a plastic jug?

Label container as \u201cdrinking water\u201d and include storage date. Replace stored water every six months. Keep stored water in a place with a cool temperature (50\u201370\xb0F). Do not store water containers in direct sunlight.

How do you sterilize plastic milk containers?

Never heat or reuse them. Large containers and bottles designed to hold 3, 5, or more gallons of water are sometimes made from #7 plastics.

Using Milk Jugs for Water Storage

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