Triple-Rinsing and Winterizing a 2-Gallon Pump Sprayer: Rinsate to a Labeled Site, Nozzle and Screen Cleaning, and Dry Frost-Free Storage

Cleaned pump sprayer draining upside down on a rack with nozzle parts drying

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Residue left in a sprayer can damage the next plants you treat and harden in the nozzle over winter. A triple rinse right after the last job of the season takes about 15 minutes.

How do you clean a pump sprayer before winter storage?

Spray out any leftover mix on a site the label allows. Fill the tank about one quarter with water, shake, and spray the rinse through the wand onto a labeled site, three times. Then clean the nozzle and screens, drain the tank fully, and store it dry where it will not freeze.

University of California's herbicide equipment cleaning page gives a triple rinse for small sprayers: fill one quarter full, shake 10 to 15 seconds, and spray the rinsate onto untreated weeds or the use site. It says the label is the law if its directions differ.

Montana State University's sprayer winterizing article says all rinsate must go on a site written on the product label or be collected as pesticide waste. It says nozzles, screens, and strainers should be cleaned separately.

Cleaning Numbers

Item Figure Source
Rinse fill About 1/4 of tank UC
Shake time 10 to 15 seconds UC
Number of rinses At least 3 UC
Rinse volume for larger tanks Up to 10% of tank MSU
First rinse Most concentrated, spray on target weeds UC
Never combine Bleach and ammonia MSU

Planning to Have Nothing Left

UC says to calibrate and mix only what you need, which keeps leftover mix small. Any leftover should be sprayed out on weeds the label covers before rinsing begins.

UC also says to clean at or near the treatment site. That way the rinse water goes onto the labeled site, not a driveway or drain.

Inspecting Before Storage

MSU says to inspect nozzles, hose clamps, screens, valves, hoses, and the tank after the final rinse. It warns that sun-faded plastic tanks are significantly weakened.

Store the tank open and drained so water does not sit in it over winter. Keep it with your other garden chemicals, away from children and pets.

Materials and Tools

  • 2-gallon pump sprayer
  • Chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses, or the label's PPE
  • A soft brush and a bucket of soapy water for parts
  • A replacement nozzle tip and seals, if worn
  • A permanent marker to label a sprayer used for weed killers only

Cleaning Steps

  1. Wear PPE. Use what the product label lists.
  2. Spray out leftovers. Use up any mix on a labeled site.
  3. First rinse. Fill one quarter with water, cap, and shake.
  4. Spray the rinse. Pump and spray it on untreated weeds the label allows.
  5. Repeat twice. Do the rinse and spray two more times.
  6. Clean the parts. Remove the nozzle and screen and scrub them in soapy water.
  7. Wash the outside. Rinse the tank, hose, and wand exterior.
  8. Drain and dry. Turn the tank upside down to drain completely.
  9. Store frost-free. Keep it in a dry, locked spot that stays above freezing.

Mistakes and Hazards

  • Dumping rinsate down a drain or onto pavement
  • Mixing bleach and ammonia cleaners
  • Clearing a clog with your mouth
  • Storing a sprayer with water in it where it can freeze
  • Using the same sprayer for weed killer and plant sprays

Fence lines are a common spray job, as in isolating a weed-loaded bottom wire. Season-end cleanup also includes tearing down a tomato stake-and-weave row.

A wire rack over a bucket makes a good drying stand. See the hardware cloth mesh size and gauge guide.

FAQ

Should I use a tank cleaner?

MSU says many product labels recommend specific cleaning agents. UC says to follow the tank cleaner's own label, since some need more PPE than the herbicide did.

What if I cannot clean it right away?

UC says a sprayer that cannot be cleaned on site must be labeled as a service container until it is triple rinsed.

Should I keep separate sprayers?

Residue from weed killers can injure garden plants. Many gardeners mark one sprayer for weed control only.

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