Oxyclean scum?

[BetterSense]

I left some bottles soaking in a bucket for a couple weeks while I went on vacation. The bucket may or may not have had a weak oxyclean solution and may or may not have later had a very very weak lye solution in it. Anyway, bottles that were completely submerged are fine, but anything that was sticking out has a ring of scum on it that won't come off with soap and water, no matter how hard I scrub. Any ideas what the scum is and what will take it off?

 

[bottlebomber]

Its scale. It will come off with a solution of vinegar, starsan, or any other acid

 

[JimTheHick]

I left some bottles soaking in a bucket for a couple weeks while I went on vacation. The bucket may or may not have had a weak oxyclean solution and may or may not have later had a very very weak lye solution in it. Anyway, bottles that were completely submerged are fine, but anything that was sticking out has a ring of scum on it that won't come off with soap and water, no matter how hard I scrub. Any ideas what the scum is and what will take it off?

The lye would cause a high pH which can etch glass. Now why it would only etch at the waterline I know not. But if it's etched that would explain your problem.

 

[JimTheHick]

Its scale. It will come off with a solution of vinegar, starsan, or any other acid

Yeah that makes more sense than what I said!

 

[BetterSense]

I tried wiping it with vinegar and a paper towel with no discernable results. I'm seriously considering just chucking these bottles because it's not worth the labor.

 

[bottlebomber]

Soak them in a solution of the vinegar, for hours. You could chuck them if you wanted, however most people don't have that much trouble getting it to come off. Also try something a little more aggressive, like a scotchbrite pad

 

[TyTanium]

Soak them in a solution of the vinegar, for hours. ...Also try something a little more aggressive, like a scotchbrite pad

+1 for this. Let the acid do its thing. And, as a general rule, I never leave ANYTHING in contact with oxyclean for more than a day. It does its job in a few hours, after that its just making slime (which, as you've found, is more difficult than removing whatever junk was there before...)

 

[SUDDZIES]

I would trash them. If you ever get over to the Fort Worth area, you can get NEW bottles at Texas Brewing Inc. for $8 a case (12 oz). Since finding this deal, I have given up on de-labeling and cleaning.:rockin:

 

[BetterSense]

Wow thanks for the tip.

It's not etched because you can scrape it off. But some of it is INSIDE the bottles and the bottle brush doesn't touch it. These ones are going in the recycling.

 

[JimTheHick]

How much oxy are you guys using? I just let 20 dirty Belgian type bottles sit in an oxyclean free solution for a week and they sparkle!! One rinse. I used one full scoop into about 6-7 gallons of water. Are y'all overdoing it? Maybe causing precip to form by putting in way too much powder?

 

[hopspop1176]

I just washed 50 bottles in oxyclean. I put 3 tbs. in a clean Stainless Steel sink soaked the bottles 5 mins. and rinsed them. They sat in bleach water first for 3 days. They came out sparkling.