Clean out your sprayer after use

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Common sense someone is screaming at that headline for sure and while it may, indeed, be common sense many of us don't do it. And that includes me and I have ruined a good sprayer that way, and I mean entirely ruined beyond any possibility of fixing it.

Clean out your sprayer, whatever kind, therefore, after every use as some materials, as I found out, are corrosive in the long run and even the not so long run and can damage the nozzles, the pump, etc.

As I said, I found that out to my peril, or better that of my sprayer, when I left some home-made herbicide, based in vinegar and sodium chlorate, in it for a couple of weeks. The sprayer died as a result of this and new one was needed.

This was unnecessary and caused simply by thinking that no harm could be done. How wrong I was.

Therefore, as a reminder: Always empty the sprayer and clean with lots of clean water. Only then put it away, and do this even if it is only going to be put away for a week or so. Much damage can be done in already a short space of time.

© 2012