According to Greta Breedlove, author of The Herbal Home Spa, avoid using containers that previously held medicine, film, poison, household cleaners, spoiled food, compost or fertilizer.
Always sterilize any container that have been previously used to ensure the purity of your final product. If you plan to sell your product, the FDA requires you only use new containers. The following is the sterilizing standards (for glass containers) set up by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
Sterilizing Glass Containers with Metal Lids
1. Wash the containers and lids thoroughly with soap and water, rinsing several times.
2. Combine 1/4 cup bleach with 2 cups hot water and submerge the clean container and lids thoroughly in this solution.
3. Fill a large enamel or stainless steel pot with water.
4. Submerse the bottles and lids, making sure there are no air bubbles left in the bottles.
5. Cover the pot and bring to a rolling boil.
6. Boil for 20 minutes and let cool.
7. Remove bottles and lids from water and allow to air-dry on a sterile towel.
Plastic Containers
Unfortunately, plastic containers are harder to sterilize because the boiling process may melt them. Greta Breedlove recommends washing these containers and rinsing them in a bleach solution; also a good dishwashing cycle can kill harmful substances that cannot be seen.
Watch for spoilage in your products and even check your bulk ingredients. If they are moldy or look moldy through them out. It is better to be safe than sorry.
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