can a gas can be cleaned inside?

 

online, I found that someone said wash it with detergent, then dry.

I have one that's been sitting unused since fall 2012--never used actually. We bought it for a relative during hurricane Sandy, they never used it, and gave it back the next year.

I suppose I could open it to see if it's got anything inside, but curious, how does one wash it?

If we bought it from the store, it's not as if it's factory sealed either...

If it's plastic, leave it

If it's plastic, leave it alone. Especially if only gas has ever been in it. If it's not plastic and has any residue, throw it away.

--
Frank DriveSmart55 37.322760, -79.511267

Dawn, water and chain

An old timers trick was to use something like a Dawn water mixture and a length of chain in the can, not too deep. Shake very hard and empty. Repeat if necessary. Once satisfied rinse well with water and finally add a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Shake and drain, allow to dry for a few days (the alcohol will evaporate).

Some guys use bolts instead of chain but I've found you have to count them, and then make sure you get them all out, and one invariably gets stuck up near the handle.

--
John from PA

Similar

John from PA wrote:

An old timers trick was to use something like a Dawn water mixture and a length of chain in the can, not too deep. Shake very hard and empty. Repeat if necessary. Once satisfied rinse well with water and finally add a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Shake and drain, allow to dry for a few days (the alcohol will evaporate).

Some guys use bolts instead of chain but I've found you have to count them, and then make sure you get them all out, and one invariably gets stuck up near the handle.

Instead of chain, use small pebbles ( not sand ) gravel size, pea sized.

Of course, wash the pebbles / very very well before using them

--
Never argue with a pig. It makes you look foolish and it anoys the hell out of the pig!

But why? OP said it was

But why?
OP said it was never used.

--
I never get lost, but I do explore new territory every now and then.

johnnatash4 wrote: online, I

johnnatash4 wrote:

online, I found that someone said wash it with detergent, then dry.

I have one that's been sitting unused since fall 2012--never used actually. We bought it for a relative during hurricane Sandy, they never used it, and gave it back the next year.

I suppose I could open it to see if it's got anything inside, but curious, how does one wash it?

If we bought it from the store, it's not as if it's factory sealed either...

If I was concerned I would use a bit of of a strong mixture of Seafoam with gasoline.

Unused? Doesn’t need cleaning

Unless cap was left off and it has bugs and cob webs.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT.

If it's never been used, I

If it's never been used, I would not worry about it. Worse case is dust, which will rinse out with water and then air dry. If it's been closed, it should be good to go without doing anything.

Because he asked...

KenSny wrote:

But why?
OP said it was never used.

Quoting "I suppose I could open it to see if it's got anything inside, but curious, how does one wash it?"

--
John from PA

Look inside

And see what you are dealing with.

I had a metal gas can sitting around unused for >25 years. Had to use it last summer with the storms to fuel the generator. Still smelled like gasoline after all those years, had a few drops still in there. No rust, no gum. Overdosed with Techron, a great cleaner, for insurance, filled with fresh gas and kept the generator running for the duration of the power outage, 5 days.

Take a look and see what you are dealing with, then decide what to do about it.

Also recommend a fuel stabilizer if you are going to have a can of gas sitting around for a couple weeks.

--
When you are dead, you don’t know that you are dead. It is only difficult for the others. It is the same when you are stupid.