A number of years ago when the petrol strike was on I filled up my demi johns with petrol (I know I was desperate) as I had not used them for years to make wine. Believe it or not I still have them. Anyone with any suggestion as to cleaning them or would the petrol linger in the taste of the wine.
Rodders
Presuming glass.....
First, a good thorough washing with dish detergent and hot water. Then a liberal dose of bicarbonate of soda with hot water and let stand for a couple days then see if there is a whiff of petrol left in the bottle. If so, dump in a quantity of fish-tank-filter charcoal, make a slurry with water and give it a good soaking again this time stirring it up so as to soak the sides well.
If it is a plastic demi-john you will never get it back to the way it was. Some kinds of glass ones hold on to lingering flavors and even a lot of detergent it will always have an "off" taste. You should get new demi-johns. You'll be glad you did.
I kind of agree. New carboys might be best. Another thing you might try is using some vegitable oil It will disolve and absorbe some oil based substances that soap has trouble with. Then you can use soap to remove the vegitable oil. I sometimes use vegitable oil to wash my hands with before washing with soap when I get some things including saps from trees or fruit. It might be worth a try. No guarantee.
Ray
I think that acticated carbon/ charcoal is the way to go. If you can get deodorising carbon then use it. There is also a type of carbon which is decolorising. Use your nose afterwards. Can you smell petrol! Glass I think you can clean. If they were plastic then burn them!
James.
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