I'm attempting to make a cheap compost tumbler out of a free 55 gallon barrel that my brother-in-law is getting me from his mechanic's shop. It held windshield wiper fluid. Will I be able to get all of the chemical residue out to make non-toxic compost for a vegetable garden?
Windshield wiper fluid can also have methyl hydrate in it, which is another organic chemical which should be broken down by the composting process, just like ammonia (which is used as a fertiliser in commercial operations). Now, if you know the barrel had special wiper fluid in it, like Rain-X, I'd be a little more cautious.
Sure. Just soak it for a couple of days with clear water. Dump it out and start filling it with compost material. It will be just fine. Wooden barrels that held alcohol are traditionally used for planting; they are given the same treatment. Windshield wiper fluid is mostly ammonia.
Sure! I would just spray it out and make sure you scrub it well. Then, just poke holes around the barrel. My compost bin is much the same, only it is metal. I just place my compost materials in it, and once or twice a week turn it over and roll it around a few times since I don't have one of the fancier composts with a crank. I don't think the windshield wiper fluid is toxic enough to effect the compost, and the bugs' waste will more than likely eliminate or neutralize anything that could be harmful. Good luck! (if you've never composted before, just a bit of advice leave out all dairy, meat, grease products as the oils won't compost well)
