Plastic pepper barrel for water storage still smells...okay?

[randy 12]

I bought a couple of used 55 gallon plastic barrels used to store/transport peppers. I bleached it really good but it still smells of peppers. Do you think it's okay to use for water storage or not? Will the odor hurt anything?
Thanks!

 

[sanangelofish2]

what kind of peppers????

 

[randy 12]

Don't know what kind. Sorry. But I can definately smell it still.

 

[irenicus]

Could the oils of the peppers still be in the plastic?

 

[randy 12]

Hadn't thought about that. We did bleach it really good but you never know. I guess, better safe than sorry. Thanks!

 

[dreeves]

When you bleached them...did you use piping hot water? It will open the pores of the plastic and aid in the removal of the juices, etc...
Is the smell of hot peppers, mild peppers or what? When you bleached them, did you use a nylon brush and scrub as well?

 

[randy 12]

No to both questions. We did it outside with the hose. We'll try the hot water and scrub brush. Thanks for the help.

 

[javatech]

Try filling it with water and baking soda and let it sit for a few weeks with a powerhead runing in it

 

[randy 12]

I'll try that, thanks!

 

[sanangelofish2]

Yes leave it outside in full sun as well.
I used plastic buckets for pickles and they reeked of pickes but i only used them to transport so im not sure about your deal

 

[randy 12]

Not much sun here lately - pretty cloudy.