Newbie:What's best way to clean 55 gal drums?

[lorijwilson]

What's the best/safest way to clean/sterilize 55 gal drums? I aquired a couple to use for holding tanks and they had some sort of food item (pickles maybe?) in them. They have a sour smell. Is bleach safe to use? Thanks!

[Reefmedic79]

No bleach. It would help to know excactly what they were used for. I'm assumeing they are made of plastic but i use white vinagar to clean any of my tank equipment.

[lorijwilson]

Thanks for the response. From what I'm being told it may have been vinegar or olives. They are white plastic and have been sealed up since beggining of the summer and are pretty stinky. I will try the white vinegar. Hopefully the weather breaks (it's about 10 degrees right now) so I can take them to the quarter car wash!!!