Cleaning bits!

[telfs]

Just bought a full cheek neue schule bit off ebay this week. It arrived today but it's really manky! What would you all use to clean it with?
I've never bought a second hand bit before and normally just rise off with water after each use so never had to clean one properly.
I've got the usuals; baby sterilising tablets, washing up liquid, antibac spray etc etc but what would you use?
The bit is Salox Gold so I don't want to use anything that could ruin or damage it!

Thanks

 

[Love]

I'd just soak in hot water and use a toothbrush on it

 

[telfs]

Ah great thanks! As it is second hand do you think I need to worry about bacteria/germs?

 

[cheeryplatypus]

I'd be wary of a dirty second hand bit! Anyway I would sterilise with some tablets, put through the dishwasher on a hot setting and then use the tablets again.
This would follow the principles of cross infection. You can't disinfect under obvious dirt but I wouldn't put it into the dishwasher without trying to at least clean the surface dirt. The tablets will be able to do their job properly after the dishwasher.

 

[Tern]

Dishwasher But I'm a grumpy person so in their rating i would state that the bit came grimy and dirty.

 

[Embo]

Leave to soak in hot water, most of the grime should come away. Then sterilise.

As above, seller would not be getting very good feedback for that!

 

[Goldenstar]

Dish washer .
And if it's dull soak in coke after rinse and polish.

 

[pansymouse]

Dishwasher is much the best bet - works well for stirrups too.

 

[Greylegs]

I don't put my NS in the dishwasher tbh. If it gets really mucky (and I try not to let it, of course) I soak in hot water with a bit of washing up liquid, scrub with a toothbrush, then soak again in Milton fluid solution to sterilise. Always rinse off with fresh water before drying and putting back on horse.

 

[xgemmax]

Put it in the dishwasher always comes out really clean!

 

[MadBlackLab]

Soak in hot water and use a toothbrush to clean then put in dishwasher for final clean

 

[pansymouse]

Soak in hot water and use a toothbrush to clean then put in dishwasher for final clean

But them you miss out on bits of chewed grass welded to your plates

 

[diamonddogs]

Another vote for the dishwasher!

I got a special comment on my "pristine" bit in a tack and turnout class last year!

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

I use the effervescent denture tablets - bung a couple or three in a dish, pour on boiling water and leave until cool, then rinse off and dry. You can get anti-bac ones too so does everything in one

 

[Kikke]

I'd be wary of a dirty second hand bit! Anyway I would sterilise with some tablets, put through the dishwasher on a hot setting and then use the tablets again.
This would follow the principles of cross infection. You can't disinfect under obvious dirt but I wouldn't put it into the dishwasher without trying to at least clean the surface dirt. The tablets will be able to do their job properly after the dishwasher.

Agree to get it as clean as you can but don't use dish washing tablets. There is nothing in the house as poisonous as dish washing tablets!!! Better soak and use toothbrush using nearly boiling water!

 

[Marydoll]

Soak in boiling water and fairy antibacterial washing up liquid, for an hour or so and then wash again with the fairy thoroughly under hot running water. Stick into the dishwasher which should then hopefully be hot enough to sterilise it.

 

[Goldenstar]

Agree to get it as clean as you can but don't use dish washing tablets. There is nothing in the house as poisonous as dish washing tablets!!! Better soak and use toothbrush using nearly boiling water!

What on earth will the dish washing tablet poison it wont poison the horse it won't damage the bit ( or mine would belong gone ) .

 

[Kikke]

What on earth will the dish washing tablet poison it wont poison the horse it won't damage the bit ( or mine would belong gone ) .

Well I am just stating a fact. Seeing bits have nooks and carnies..... Any residu left.... I can only say I would not want to put it in my horses mouth after that.

 

[Goldenstar]

Well I am just stating a fact. Seeing bits have nooks and carnies..... Any residu left.... I can only say I would not want to put it in my horses mouth after that.

Well I have no issues with it it's good enough for me and my family and it's never killed one of the horses yet .
Of course eating dishwasher tablets would do you or a horse no good.

 

[PerfectPony]

Stick it in the dishwasher... cleans above boiling point so totally sterilized and come up like new xx

 

[madmav]

Not sure dishwashers clean above boiling point - that's 100C. No setting for that on any machine I've seen.
A kettle will give you boiling point water, however. So maybe stick bit in a pan of boiling water with Steradent tablets that my kids used on their braces gear for wonky teeth.
I would also complain to seller and ebay for it being sold to you in bad condition. Not good.