An alternative to using dangerous chemicals to clean insulators.

In the September, 2006 issue of Crown Jewels, my attention was drawn to a letter describing a method of cleaning insulators, utilizing muriatic acid in a soaking solution. I decided to do some research. What I found lead me to share the following.

I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over thirty years, and have become very attentive to issues concerning chemicals, cleaners, and other such substances, their use and disposal.

The City of Berkeley in particular and the Bay Area communities in general have strict regulations regarding the use of certain "industrial strength" substance. Much has been done in the past few years to undo the damage done to the ecosystem for over a century and a half. Therefore, I'd like to offer a possible alternative method for cleaning insulators, one which I have found successful.

Over the years, I've heard / read about different methods of cleaning insulators, many of which involved substances which I avoided, not so much of personal concern but because of living situations and disposal issues. A number of years ago I was having problems with old rust stains in a sink, and someone recommended a cleaner called CLR. This is a calcium, lime and rust remover which is one of the better household products. And while it cleared up the rust, it can also be used in coffee makers and glass coffee pots safely.

For consideration in cleaning insulators, I used a CD 154 Hemingray - 42 which was found along a railroad and was quite dirty from decades of exposure to an industrial atmosphere. Using a couple of sponges to keep the insulator upright, I placed it upside down in a plastic bucket. I poured undiluted CLR into the pinhole and the area between the skirt & petticoat. Then I filled poured CLR into the bucket until it was two or three inches deep at the bottom Warm tap water was added directly into the bucket until it started spilling into the interior of the insulator. I allowed the insulator to soak for about six hours.

In my experience of cleaning additional insulators this way, the times for soaking varied depending upon the amount of dirt and build-up. The shortest time for soaking has been about one hour, and sometimes I let the insulators soak for 24 hours.

After soaking I use two grades of steel wool to remove the grime. I regularly use #000 extra fine and #0000 super fine steel wool, although other grades may be necessary depending upon how dirty the insulator might be. During the scrubbing, I use a spray bottle solution made up of three parts CLR to one part water.

I've had good success cleaning insulators with this method, without exposing myself or the environment to toxic or dangerous chemicals.