Cleaning Aquarium Decorations with Bleach

Aquarium decorations need routine cleaning to remove dirt and algae buildup. One of the most effective ways to clean your aquarium decorations is with chlorine bleach. When you use chlorine bleach to clean your decorations, you must take the proper steps to ensure that all decorations are completely free of bleach before placing them back in the aquarium.

Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon bucket
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Yardstick
  • Measuring cup
  • Gloves
  • Old towel
  • Dish soap
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a 5-gallon bucket halfway with warm water.

    • 2

      Add one and a half cups of bleach to the water. Stir the water with the end of a yardstick. Swirl the water around a few times to thoroughly mix the bleach.

    • 3

      Place your aquarium decorations in the bucket. Add more warm water to the bucket if the decorations stick up out of the water. If you add another gallon of water to the bucket, add another half-cup of bleach and stir again.

    • 4

      Let the decorations sit in the bleach and water solution for 20 minutes. Check the decorations after 20 minutes. Put on a pair of gloves and remove each decoration from the water. Look for algae and dirt still on the decorations. If dirt or algae remains on a decoration, put it back in the bucket. If a decoration appears clean, place it on an old, clean towel. Check any decorations you put back in the bucket after 10 minutes. Remove the decorations and place them on a towel once they are free of dirt and algae.

    • 5

      Empty the 5-gallon bucket into your sink or bathtub. Wash the bucket out thoroughly with dish soap and water.

    • 6

      Place the towel with the decorations in the bathtub. Spread the decorations out. Keeping the decorations on the towel provides a cushion between the hard surface of the bathtub and your decorations. The cushion prevents chips on your decorations if they slip or hit the bathtub.

    • 7

      Turn on your shower and let the water run over the decorations for five minutes. This rinses the bleach offf the decorations. Stop the shower and smell the decorations. If they still smell of bleach, turn the shower back on and let it run for an additional five minutes. Repeat until your decorations no longer smell like bleach.