Algae in the washer bottle

[johnsco]

This is a problem which has troubled me on many older vehicles.
Short of replacing the washer bottle, does anyone have a magic solution ?
Cheers.
Johnsco

 

[GordonTarling]

Mild bleach solution ought to kill it off, but then you'd need to rinse the bottle out thoroughly before using it again. As for preventing it in the first place, maybe another brand of washer fluid.

 

[johnsco]

Thanks Gordon.
I've tried various brands of washer fluid including MB.
Problem is that the algae has already been there in vehicles that I've acquired.
I'll give the bleach-wash a try followed by a good rinse out.

Cheers
John

 

[219]

Not just older vehicles - I've seen it on newish ones too !

More to do with bacteria in the water , and a warm environment in the engine compartment to encourage growth than anything to do with the vehicle .

I recently took the reservoir out of one of my cars and cleaned it out with boiling water in the kitchen sink ( when SWMBO was out )

 

[BTB 500]

I have the same problem with a plastic fuel can that holds drinking water for the dogs (just to be clear, it has never had anything other than water in it!). It's in the van all year round, and in the summer algae builds up quite quickly sometimes.

There's an easy solution though - water purifying tablets sold in camping/caravanning shops. The ones I have are called "Putitabs" IIRC, one of them dropped in the water completely removes all the algae overnight.

 

[johnsco]

Cheers Derek.
Up to now I've resorted to washing out with hot water and detergent.
However - The bleach solution is worth a go.

 

[johnsco]

There's an easy solution though - water purifying tablets sold in camping/caravanning shops. The ones I have are called "Putitabs" IIRC, one of them dropped in the water completely removes all the algae overnight.

Thanks Bill.
I wonder if the Putitabs are mild chlorinating agents - Perhaps similar to what they do in swimming baths.
Perhaps not much different to diluted bleach solution.

 

[BTB 500]

Perhaps not much different to diluted bleach solution.

Possibly, although I'd be reluctant to try drinking diluted bleach solution!

 

[Simon_M]

I have the same problem with a plastic fuel can that holds drinking water for the dogs (just to be clear, it has never had anything other than water in it!). It's in the van all year round, and in the summer algae builds up quite quickly sometimes.

There's an easy solution though - water purifying tablets sold in camping/caravanning shops. The ones I have are called "Putitabs" IIRC, one of them dropped in the water completely removes all the algae overnight.

Yep I use these on a rowing machine to stop build-up.

Some of them treat water so that it is then drinkable, so I doubt they would damage any of the painwork or pipes.

Simon

 

[Rory]

If it's a recurring problem you could put a bit of Milton (used for babies bottles and brewing) in the washer bottle.

 

[johnsco]

Thanks guys.
Some good suggestions there.
John

 

[BTB 500]

Yup the tablets I use are designed for purifying drinking water, so should be pretty safe.

Just checked and the ones I have at the moment are actually called "Aqua CleanTabs".

 

[vijilants]

deleted

 

[johnsco]

Cheers Bill.
I will definitely try the Aqua Clean Tabs.
All The Best
John

 

[flango]

Possibly, although I'd be reluctant to try drinking diluted bleach solution!

You'd have lovely white teeth though