Oxyclean and plastic etching

[NGD]

We have a few small double walled stainlesscoffee mugs with clear plastic top that my wife likes to take to work. One of them had coffee left for too long and got gross. I usually use oxyclean free and hot (130-160) degree water to clean such things and our water is pretty soft. This time I threw the plastic lid on and let it sit for a few hours. Came back and the lid was etched almost like someone took sandpaper to it. Curious if anyone else has had this issue with plastic brewing equipment. Would PBW be a better solution?

Been using Oxyclean for years and never had something like this happen before. Curious as to others experience.

 

[IslandLizard]

PBW is 70% Oxiclean, so that won't prevent the problem.

I soak various plastics, vinyl tubing, silicone hoses, etc. in room temp Washing Soda, Oxiclean, or PBW, sometimes for days. Never use it hot, except for silicone hoses and stainless parts that may get boiled. Either product is highly alkaline, maybe it's the combination of the high temps that causes the etching in certain plastics?

 

[Robert65]

I've never had any problem with alkaline cleaners like PBW even with long, hot soaks on plastic. But I think most all of the plastics I've used in brewing are HDPE and PVC, so limited evidence. Any idea what plastic it is that has reacted so?

 

[Bubman]

Any idea what plastic it is that has reacted so?

I'm thinking those lids are Poly Carbonate.

 

[NGD]

I'm thinking those lids are Poly Carbonate.

I think you may be correct. I’ve used oxyclean several dozen times over the years. First time this happened. The amount of etching is what surprised me. It feels like someone took a rough brillo pad to it. Looks like it as well.

@IslandLizard I was always under the impression that cleaners like Oxyclean and PBW were most effective with hot water? Either way, I will pay more attn. to what I’n using it on.

 

[IslandLizard]

I'm thinking those lids are Poly Carbonate.

Polycarbonate plastic in a hot solution of sodium and carbonate ions, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen gas, plus some oxygen chemistry... could be an interesting study.

I think you may be correct. I’ve used oxyclean several dozen times over the years. First time this happened. The amount of etching is what surprised me. It feels like someone took a rough brillo pad to it. Looks like it as well.

@IslandLizard I was always under the impression that cleaners like Oxyclean and PBW were most effective with hot water? Either way, I will pay more attn. to what I’n using it on.

The etching is surely a result of a molecular attack mechanism.

All chemical processes/reactions increase speed with higher temps, molecules move faster. Cleaners such as PBW and Oxiclean are no exception, they clean better and faster when warm or hot rather than cold.

I use hot or boiling Washing Soda, Oxiclean and/or PBW (often with some lye added) to clean (recirculate) stainless kettles and fittings, silicone hoses, pumps, plate chiller, oxygen stones, nylon hop bags, and occasionally vinyl hoses too, you name it. But plastic items generally get soaked in lukewarm or cold solutions of such. Or get cleaned with the dishes in the sink.

Many plastics can't withstand (extreme) heat, and you found out the hard way how polycarbonate (?) reacts. Dishwashers can have similar effects on them.

 

[Wayne1]

The general directions for carbon removal with PBW is 6-8 oz per gallon of water at 140F for 4 hours or overnight soak.
For circulation cleaning (CIP) 1-3 oz per gallon (depending on soil load) Heat 130F to 180F for 30 min.
Must be rinsed directly after with potable water

 

[Soulshine2]

We have a few small double walled stainlesscoffee mugs with clear plastic top that my wife likes to take to work. One of them had coffee left for too long and got gross. I usually use oxyclean free and hot (130-160) degree water to clean such things and our water is pretty soft. This time I threw the plastic lid on and let it sit for a few hours. Came back and the lid was etched almost like someone took sandpaper to it. Curious if anyone else has had this issue with plastic brewing equipment. Would PBW be a better solution?

Been using Oxyclean for years and never had something like this happen before. Curious as to others experience.

how much oxiclean to water did you use.

 

[NGD]

Eyevalled, but likely just a teaspoon. It was very little.

 

[kh54s10]

I don't think I have had Polycarbonate in Oxyclean, but all my other plastics have been cleaned with Oxyclean or generics. I have had no issues at all, even when leaving the solution in my fermenters for up to a week. It works so well and easily that I use it for laundry also and have never felt the need to pay more for PBW.

 

[NGD]

I don't think I have had Polycarbonate in Oxyclean, but all my other plastics have been cleaned with Oxyclean or generics. I have had no issues at all, even when leaving the solution in my fermenters for up to a week. It works so well and easily that I use it for laundry also and have never felt the need to pay more for PBW.

Thats why I was so surprised. Been using the stuff for years on all kinds of things. Never an issue. Although now thats its been mentioned, not sure I’ve ever used it on polycarbonate.

Looks like I get to practice polishing plastic.

 

[IslandLizard]

Looks like I get to practice polishing plastic.

Can you get new lids, instead?
Or just leave it as is for that new look everyone wants now? Start a trend.

 

[NGD]

Can you get new lids, instead?
Or just leave it as is for that new look everyone wants now? Start a trend.

New lids would be cheaper, easier assuming I can find them. Not nearly as fun.