We're working on putting together a gunge tank and had a chemistry question. The plan is to use an IBC tote bladder as the sitting area. I already cut open the plastic bladder and now I am trying to clean it. These totes originally held agricultural silicone. I am having trouble cleaning out the silicone residue. So far I have been using dish soap and a pressure washer with limited success. Even the areas that appear clean are still sticky to the touch. I have been getting conflicting information in my internet searches because there seems to be multiple types of silicone. What I am dealing with is stuff farmers use to make fertilizer/pesticides stick to plants better. The tote has a #2 marking so I assume it is made of High-Density Polyethylene. Any advice on something that would clean off the silicone residue without damaging the tote (or myself for that matter )? Thanks!
not sure if safe to mix with the silicone/ plastic but if more metal maybe rubbing alcohol and rock salt? i use that on glass to clean my pieces of resign off. but if plastic maybe not?
not sure if chemical reaction unsafe with silicone and or plastic? also what about baking soda and vinegrar?
It would appear to me that because you cut away a large piece of it, as long as you haven't discarded it, you have something you can use to experiment with. I'm fairly certain that it's made of HDPE and if you see a recycle triangle with a number 2, that's what it is. My go-to cleaning agent is CLR which I looked up is safe to use on HDPE but it may discolor it, which I don't think would be much of a concern.
Are you able to get a copy of the labels or product name? Every agricultural chemical has a MAPP Number (or equivalent) as well as the MSDS. Both will have instructions for cleaning/decontamination/spillages etc, as well as the safety advice/chemical toxicity/environmental risks etc...
[Hindsight is always 20:20, but it would have been a really really good idea to check this before cutting the IBC tote open to begin with]
As a general rule of thumb; you use a matching solvent to clean up a given fluid- such using WD40 to lift oil-based mastic.
Alternate solution; are you able to cover it instead? Use a pond liner or similar to line the inside of your gunge tank and glue it in place with bathroom silicone?
Love you, too
)? Thanks! 
