How do you clean a seed trays?

Cleaning and disinfecting seed trays is critical for reusable plastic seed trays. Dirty equipment is a very dangerous practice and one of the common mistakes new gardeners make. Don’t worry, sterilizing seed trays is not difficult. In this article, I’ll tell you why cleaning and disinfecting is important, when to clean, and how to do it correctly.

Why Clean Seed Trays

Dirty trays, cells, and pots can carry diseases, bacteria, fungal spores, and pests that can damage or even kill your seedlings. Some of these pests can lie dormant for years and wake up once you add soil, water, and heat. The worst part is, you won't even know they're there until something goes wrong with your seedlings. Therefore, the only way to safely reuse seed trays is to thoroughly clean and disinfect them.

When to clean and disinfect seed trays

The best time to clean and disinfect is before you plan to use them. Don't waste time cleaning them ahead of time as they will only get dirty again while in storage.

What to use to sterilize seed trays

There are several natural and chemical cleaners you can use to sanitize your seed trays. Here are the most popular options and what they do:

1. Soap: I highly recommend using liquid castile soap, it’s my favorite. Soap not only washes away dirt but also kills some harmful organisms.

2. White Vinegar: Old-fashioned white vinegar is great for removing any stuck-on dirt, calcium, and water stains. It also has some disinfecting effect but does not kill all harmful organisms.

3. Hydrogen peroxide: H2O2 can destroy various types of bacteria and diseases, so it will also help sanitize your seed trays.