How to Clean an Oily Bottle

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Reusing bottles that held olive oil or other greasy substances is tough because it seems impossible to clean them out. And often, bottles are shaped with strange curves or lips that make it hard to reach every crevice. Learn to clean out clingy residue so that anything can be recycled for another use. By using soap, rice, or ash to fight the grease, you can repurpose any glass bottle to fit your needs.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning with Soap and Water

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  1. Fill your kitchen sink with hot water and add in a few generous squirts of liquid dish washing soap. Submerge the bottle and let it soak for at least a couple of minutes.
    • Hot water does a better job of loosening grease and oil and also prevents streaking. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    Look for a strong sponge that has a soft side and an abrasive side that won't scratch your bottle. Scrub the bottle thoroughly with your chosen sponge while keeping it submerged in the hot, soapy water. [2]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    Take the bottle out of the suds and rinse it well with fresh water from the faucet. After rinsing with clean water, place the bottle upside down beside the sink on top of a small towel or drying mat. Let the bottle air dry.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning with Rice

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    It should be warm enough to cut through and break down the grease. This can come either from a faucet or from a pot of boiling water. [3]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    There should be enough rice so that it forms a thick layer at the top of the water.
    • The rice acts as an abrasive and each grain will do its share of scrubbing the sides down, so be sure to add enough to clean the sides thoroughly. [4]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    The water, soap, and rice should wash over every part of the interior surface. Make sure to swirl the rice so that it comes in contact with the bottle. Do this until every oil streak and bit of grease residue is gone.
    • Make sure there is enough free space left in the bottle for allow the materials inside to pick up momentum within a few seconds of shaking.
    • Look at the inside of the bottle after every thirty seconds of shaking to see which spots need the most cleaning, and then alter bottle movements in order to reach those places. [5]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    Let it air dry afterwards. If there are any streaks of grease still on the inside of the bottle, repeat the process with more detergent and rice. [6]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning with Ash

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    Make sure the fire is completely out before taking from it. Check the ashes and pick out any bits of plastic or garbage that might have fallen into the fire.
  2. The water should come halfway up the height of the bottle so that it boils quickly. You might need a larger pot if the bottle is tall or oddly shaped. [7]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean an Oily Bottle
    Do this gradually. Leave the bottle in the water to simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Once cooled, wash out the ashes under cold running water. Rinse it out two or three times to make sure there are no wet ashes left in the bottle.
  5. Leave it to air dry after rinsing out the soapy water.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What else can I do if there's still some oily residue?
    Carolina Rodriguez
    Cleaning Specialist
    Carolina Rodriguez is a Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Ecoverde Cleaning, based in the Washington, DC metro area. Ecoverde was born out of a desire to provide an eco-friendly cleaning option that competes with many traditional cleaning companies in the Washington, DC metro area. Through competitive pricing, attractive service plans, and friendly customer service. Ecoverde has built a strong residential and commercial customer base serving DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and has been named the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Washington DC. Carolina and her team specialize in residential and commercial cleaning services and use Green Seal Certified products. The team's cleaning technicians go through an extensive training process, learning about specific products, real-time cross-contamination, and how to use appropriate equipment for specific services. They also provide free cleanings to cancer patients through a non-profit organization, Cleaning For a Reason.
    Carolina Rodriguez
    Cleaning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If the oil residue persists, repeat the process or use a bottle brush to scrub the interior walls of the bottle. After removing the oil, rinse the bottle again with hot water to ensure all soap residue is gone. Allow the bottle to air-dry completely before using it again. With some effort and elbow grease, the oil will be effectively removed after a few more tries!
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      Rice Cleaning

      • Oily bottle
      • Uncooked rice
      • Dish soap
      • Hot water

      Ash Cleaning

      • Oily bottle
      • Spent ashes from fire
      • Dish soap
      • Water

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Carolina Rodriguez .

      References

      1. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/10-handy-dish-washing-tips/
      2. ↑ https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/10/hand-washing-dishes-tips_n_6211214.html
      3. ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12254934/how-to-clean-olive-oil-bottles
      4. ↑ https://www.hunker.com/12254934/how-to-clean-olive-oil-bottles
      5. ↑ https://cleaning.tips.net/T004123_Cleaning_the_Inside_of_Bottles_and_Vases.html
      6. ↑ https://cleaning.tips.net/T004123_Cleaning_the_Inside_of_Bottles_and_Vases.html
      7. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/boilpoint.htm

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