Isn’t it funny how a garden hose dispenses water almost every day yet it requires constant cleaning with water? Yes, it is a bit odd knowing that stainless steel garden hose and garden hose reels need to be washed from time to time.
The reason for this is to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. If a hose is used continually without adequate cleaning, it begins to harbor infectious microorganisms that could lead to the death of plants.
How To Wash a Garden Hose
Generally, cleaning a rubber hose is way easier than cleaning an expandable hose. Although expandable hoses are not easy to clean, they are not impossible either.
Below are some suggestions on how to clean a garden hose
1. The Use of Bleach
This is one of the most popular and efficient methods of making a garden hose clean. It helps to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms in the pipe. Thus it makes the water flowing through the pipe safe for plant consumption.
It is best to use natural bleach as much as possible because chemicals themselves can be very harmful. Endeavor to protect your hands with safety gloves when cleaning with bleach.
Procedure
- Mix ¼ cup of cleaning bleach with a large quantity of water.
- Slowly and gently, dip your hose into the solution.
- Leave the hose in the solution for about 9-24 hours after which you transfer the hose to another bucket of freshwater for another 1 hour.
- Rinse out the hose from the bucket of clean water and allow water to run through it for a while.
Note: Always keep chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
2. The Use of Vinegar
Do you want to kill a cat? There are so many ways to do that. If you don’t like using bleaches for some reason, you can use vinegar instead. The disadvantage of using vinegar is that it comes with a very unpleasant smell.
However, this unpleasant smell soon disappears after the hose has been rinsed over and over again. Cleaning with vinegar is totally safe and healthy.
Procedures
- Pour water into a very large bucket or bowl.
- Add distilled vinegar to the bowl. The quantity of vinegar should be half the quantity of water used.
- Submerge the hose into the solution.
- Leave for about 8-24 hours after which you will transfer the hose to a bowl of fresh water for another 1 hour.
- Rinse thoroughly using running water and your garden hose is ready for use.
This method is a lot safer than using bleach because any vinegar remnants left in the hose are not a threat. Unlike bleach, they are not harmful if consumed. Also, the use of vinegar is cheaper, this is probably why it has become very popular.
Conclusion
It is not enough to own a garden hose, you are required to take proper care of it too. One of the most efficient ways of doing this is by keeping the hose clean at all times using bleach or vinegar.
