ali-s Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 What cleaner is best for greenhouses? We have two big greenhouses that haven't been used for years. they are full and I mean full of someone elses rubbish and a family or two of huge toads I usually use hot soapy water to clean things but do I need something more chemical based to make sure there are no nasties left that could kill my plants? I will be moving the Toads before I start (hoping they will move themselves actually). The bases of the greenhouses are earth with what looks like the remains of carpet on top. Should I get rid of the earth and slab the bases or use the earth for my Tomato plants? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 We use Barrier disinfactant for anything like this. We use it in the wooden hen houses after the table birds have vacated them and for cleaning out the stock trailer. We buy it from Ascott.biz - and you can buy it in Countrywide stores sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Not sure what disinfectant to use but I used the pressure washer and ecover on the glass and the bottom of the greenhouse benefits from slabs which keep the heat in overnight. lucky thing with 2 big houses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I wouldn't plant direct into the earth, because you don't really know what state it's in, if they were used for a while then it could be quite deficient in nutrients. You could either sink pots into it, or just put growbags on top - that's what I do. I clean mine with hot water and Ecover washing-up liquid, but I don't worry too much about algae, I just leave it be. As I don't keep stuff in mine over winter, I always let the hens use it for dustbathing in winter months - they do kick the earth around, but I reckon it's pretty much guaranteed that no slugs, bugs or snails will still be left in there! The toads will probably have done a good job in the same way, and I'd avoid any chemicals so that neither they nor the chickens are at risk of eating something nasty. A quick sweep up and it's now out-of-bounds for the summer, but hopefully free of any creepy crawlies. Lucky you- sounds as if you'll have lots of room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
girlsmum Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I've always used jeyes fluid to clean my green house . It does a good job and disinfects it. Girlsmum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 Don't let the chooks anywhere near where Jeyes has been though, it's poisonous to them! It's fine to clean slabs or something solid which will dry out, but not a good idea to let them scratch where is has drained to I'd have thought, and definitely don't let them drink any puddles. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 Thanks everyone. Hoping to get started on one of the greenhouses today with Jack's help as soon has he gets out of his pit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
