How long do bottles stay sanitized?

[bringitonhome]

I sanitized my bottles with bleach on tuesday night, but something came up and I won't be able to bottle on friday. The bottles are sitting dried with no tops in my basement. Should I re-sanitize?

 

[Dr Vorlauf]

Yes you should.....

 

[solidghost]

I think the chlorine in the bleach will evapor off very fast so you will probably need to sanitize again.

 

[bringitonhome]

i figured as much. Just wishful thinking.
I will be moving to kegging as soon as possible...

 

[Revvy]

Sanitizers, especially no-rinse types are really best as "wet contact" sanitizers...That mean anything touching the wet surface will be killed off...but once it dries..NO.

You can of course mitigate it, by covering the bottle openings with tinfoil while they are still wet, That would prevent anything from getting into the sanitized bottles.

 

[rescue brew]

I will be moving to kegging as soon as possible...

... me too. I am sooooo tired of bottling. I just have to convince SWMBO that we have room for another fridge. (no garage or basement)