How Do I Clean Plastic Drums?

Safe, repeatable methods to clean tight-head and open-head HDPE drums, plus when to call a reconditioner.

Before you start Identify your drum & residue Tight-head cleaning Open-head cleaning Matching methods to residues Drying & inspection When to use a professional Disposal & environmental notes Quick supplies checklist Compliance notes

Key takeaways

Match the cleaning method to the previous contents (water-based, oils, adhesives, corrosives, food) and the drum style (tight-head vs open-head).
Use a stepwise approach: empty → PPE → contain residues → wash → neutralize (if needed) → rinse → dry → inspect; collect and dispose of rinse water legally.
For regulated residues or damaged drums, use a professional reconditioner; cleaning alone does not fix structural issues or missing closures.

Before you start (safety & compliance) [1–4]

Cleaning drums is a controlled operation. Read this first, then proceed with the steps below.

Check the SDS of the last product for PPE, incompatibilities, and disposal guidance. [4]
Wear PPE: chemical-resistant gloves, goggles/face shield, protective clothing; respirator if required by the SDS. [4]
Ventilation: work outdoors or in a ventilated wash bay with spill control.
Segregate residues: never mix acids with bases, oxidizers with organics, or chlorine bleach with ammonia/acidic cleaners.
Containment: use drip pans and a sump; keep absorbents on hand.
Regulatory note: manage residues/rinse water under local rules (e.g., U.S. RCRA “empty container” and rinsate management). [1–3]

Following these basics reduces risk while keeping your process compliant.

Identify your drum & residue [5–7]

Correct identification prevents damage and repeat work.

Drum style:

Tight-head (closed-top): two bungs (commonly 2″ NPS/NPT and 2″ buttress). Contents are accessed by pump/wand. [5–7]
Open-head (removable-top): lever-lock/bolt ring; full access for scrubbing. [5–6]

Residue type:

Water-based: detergents and warm water usually suffice.
Oils/solvents: alkaline surfactant cleaner or compatible solvent rinse (observe flammability rules).
Adhesives/paints: dedicated stripper, citrus/solvent cleaners, or heated alkaline soak.
Acids/bases: neutralize (carefully) before disposal; never add water to acid.

Rating: Whether the drum is UN/DOT-rated or non-rated, cleaning chemistry is driven by the residue; for later regulated transport, the drum must be in compliant condition and closed per instructions. [8]

Tight-Head

Open-Head

Pick the lane that matches your drum and residue, then proceed with the appropriate method.

Tight-head (closed-top) cleaning — step by step [1–4,8]

Tight-heads are best cleaned with internal spray or rolling methods.

Drain & capture remaining contents via the 2″ bung; triple-drain if viscous. [1–2]
Pre-rinse (warm): add ~2–3 liters warm water, cap, roll the drum 1–2 minutes, drain to a labeled container.
Detergent wash: add measured alkaline or neutral detergent solution; insert a wand or use a rotary internal spray head; contact time 5–10 minutes.
Rinse: warm, then cold; repeat until rinse is clear and pH is neutral.
Optional solvent rinse for oils/grease (must be compatible; ground/bond if flammable). Collect all rinsate.
Dry: invert on a rack or use low-heat air; ensure threads and bung gaskets are dry.
Inspect: check bungs, gasket condition, seam/ring dents, bulging, and interior odor. Replace worn bung caps as needed.

These steps clean the interior without removing the top, which preserves the closure integrity.

Open-head (removable-top) cleaning — step by step [1–4]

Open-heads allow direct access for fast mechanical cleaning.

Remove lid/ring and gaskets; set aside for separate cleaning.
Scrape/wipe heavy residues; collect solids.
Detergent wash: fill to ¼–⅓ with hot water + detergent; brush the sidewalls and bottom; soak stubborn spots.
Rinse: pressure-rinse inside; clean the lid, ring, and gasket separately.
Neutralize if residue was acidic/alkaline; confirm neutral pH on the final rinse.
Dry: air-dry or forced air; reinstall a clean, undamaged gasket.
Inspect: check locking ring, latch/bolt, bead, and lid flatness.

This method is ideal for powders, sludges, and residues that need mechanical agitation.

Matching methods to common residues [1–4]

Residue Type	Method
Water-based detergents, cleaners, food syrups	warm water + surfactant; minimal contact time; rinse until clear
Oils/grease/cutting fluids	alkaline degreaser (pH 10–12) + warm rinse; if needed, a final light solvent rinse (DGR/citrus) with proper ventilation
Latex paint/adhesives	warm alkaline wash + mechanical brushing; follow with compatible solvent spot-treatment only if the SDS allows
Acids/bases	triple-rinse, then neutralize in a controlled container; verify neutral pH before sewer discharge or disposal (if permitted)
Strong oxidizers (e.g., hypochlorite, peroxide)	avoid organics/solvents; rinse with large volumes of water; store rinsate separately

Choose one approach, then validate with a small test before scaling up. Testing on a small area prevents damaged drums or unsafe reactions.

Drying, inspection & readiness for reuse [4,8]

Finishing matters for cleanliness and safety.

Drying: invert on racks or use filtered, low-heat forced air; avoid high heat that can warp HDPE.
Odor check: brief air test; persistent odors point to residue—repeat wash or escalate to reconditioning.
Visual & structural: look for punctures, stress whitening, bulges, brittle plastic, missing/mismatched bungs, damaged ring/gasket.
Markings: keep original UN/DOT marks legible; follow the manufacturer’s closure instructions when putting the drum back in service. [8]

Photo of 55-gallon drums stacked on pallets outside a warehouse

A documented inspection log helps standardize quality across batches.

When to use a professional reconditioner [1–3]

Some situations are beyond shop-level cleaning.

Hazardous residues or unknown prior contents.
Heavily stained, odorous, or crazed plastic that won’t pass visual/odor checks.
UN-rated drums intended for regulated transport that need leak-testing or other steps per applicable standards. [3,8]
Damaged closures or missing components that require replacement and testing.

Handing these off protects staff, reduces liability, and ensures compliant reuse.

Disposal & environmental notes [1–3,9]

Proper waste handling is part of “clean.”

Label rinsates by origin; don’t mix incompatible streams.
pH-neutral, non-hazardous rinses may be sewer-eligible where permitted—confirm locally.
Hazardous rinsates/solids must go to approved facilities; keep manifests/records.
Never burn or landfill intact drums; follow local drum recycling/reuse rules.

Closing the loop keeps your process compliant and sustainable.

Quick supplies checklist [4,5]

This list speeds set-up and prevents mid-job delays.

Warm-water source/pressure washer, detergent/alkaline degreaser, neutralizer (as needed)
Pumps/wands or rotary spray head for tight-heads; long-handle brushes for open-heads
Replacement 2″ NPS & 2″ buttress bungs and gaskets; lever-lock/bolt-ring hardware
PPE (gloves/goggles/face shield/aprons/respirator if required), absorbents, spill kit
pH strips/meter, labeled collection containers, drying racks or filtered air blower

Having the right tools on hand makes cleaning safer and faster.

Compliance notes (quick reference)

The brief items below summarize the most important compliance anchors so you can double-check your process.

“Empty container” & rinsate management: U.S. EPA RCRA §261.7 defines when a container is “empty” and how residues/rinsates are handled. [1–2,9]
Worker protection: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.132 and the SDS govern PPE and hazard assessment for cleaning tasks. [4]
UN packaging closure: If the cleaned drum will be used for regulated shipments, follow the original closure instructions for the marked package per 49 CFR 178.2(c). [8]

Keeping these three points in view prevents the most common compliance mistakes.

Footnotes & references

U.S. EPA — Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 40 CFR §261.7 (Residue of hazardous waste in empty containers).
U.S. EPA — Training/Guidance on container management and rinsate (RCRA context).
U.S. EPA & industry guidance — Drum reconditioning practices (caustic/detergent washing, leak testing, inspection).
OSHA — 29 CFR 1910.132 (Personal Protective Equipment) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemical-specific precautions.
Industry packaging references — Tight-head vs. open-head drum definitions, typical fittings (2″ NPS/NPT & 2″ buttress), and closure hardware.
Supplier/manufacturer datasheets — Open-head lever-lock/bolt-ring closures, lid gasket care, and re-closure practices.
Thread standards notes — NPT/NPS vs. buttress compatibility to avoid cross-threading and leaks after cleaning.
U.S. DOT — 49 CFR 178.2(c) (Closure instructions); requirement to follow manufacturer’s closing procedures for UN-marked packagings.
State environmental agency guidance (e.g., TCEQ) — Practical interpretations of “empty container” and rinsate handling aligned with federal RCRA.