How to Clean a Garden Sprayer

Co-authored by Anthony "TC" Williams

Last Updated: November 6, 2021

Having a garden sprayer is essential to any gardener, landscaper, or homeowner keeping up with lawn maintenance. Garden sprayers distribute pesticides and herbicides (weed killers) from a reservoir tank, through a wand and spray nozzle, and out onto your lawn. Cleaning your garden sprayer with a solution of water and ammonia will allow the tool to be used for several years and will also keep plants and flowers healthy and happy.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Emptying the Tank

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Plan ahead with your herbicide or pesticide so that you’re only filling the tank with as much of the liquid as you need. Spray plants a second time if you need to use up excess herbicide since almost all herbicides are approved to be sprayed twice.^{[1]
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Dispose of any liquid remaining in the sprayer. Contact your local health department or environmental agency to find a safe way to dispose of this liquid. Do not empty the chemicals onto grass, near any flowers or plants, down a drain or into a water source. Doing so can harm local plants and animals.^{[2]
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- If you need to empty your sprayer quickly, find an empty plastic or glass container that you can pour the leftover chemicals into (such as the original bottle), then seal and dispose of it later.
- A large, sterile gravel parking lot can also be used for spraying out the last bit of remaining product as a last resort to storing it for transfer to a proper disposal site if absolutely necessary. Avoid spraying it in the most heavily trafficked part of the gravel lot. Choose an out-of-the-way location, such as near a fence.
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Do not allow the sprayer to sit with herbicide or pesticide in it, even just overnight. Residues from the chemicals you use can build up over time and make your sprayer more difficult to clean.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Rinsing the Sprayer

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Depending on the chemical, there may be specific instructions for how to clean the sprayer. Follow any cleaning directions on the product's container.
Since you'll be working with harsh chemicals, make sure you wear rubber gloves and safety goggles. If you have one, wear a face shield to protect yourself from splashes.^{[3]
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Flush the garden sprayer with hot water. Fill the reservoir until it’s about halfway full, and then squirt the hot water through the garden sprayer until all the water in the reservoir has been used. Spray the water in a safe location, away from water sources and areas accessible to children and pets.
- Consider spraying next to or near where you were using the herbicide or pesticide since the chemical residue will be the same.
- If you will be using the same type of chemical the next day, you can stop after a thorough flush with water and skip any further cleaning until you’re completely finished with that product.
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Flush with an ammonia-based cleaning solution. The cleaning solution should contain about 1 ounce (30 mL) of ammonia per gallon (3.8 L) of water. Fill the reservoir about halfway with this solution, and then spray the cleaning solution through the garden sprayer at least three times to flush the wand and the nozzle.
- Ammonia is effective for most herbicides, but not all. Research your particular herbicide to see if a bleach solution, powdered detergent, or kerosene solution would be better. De-greasing liquid dish soap also works well, especially on petroleum-based chemicals.
- You can also purchase a commercial tank cleaner at a hardware or home improvement store. Look for one tailored toward the type of chemical you’re using in the sprayer, and follow the directions on the packaging.
With the reservoir about half full of cleaning solution, let it sit for several hours, preferably overnight. This will allow the solution to work into the residue in your sprayer and break it down.
The next day, spray until you’ve emptied the cleaning solution from the reservoir. Since the sprayer may still contain pesticide or herbicide residue, it’s best to spray it in a safe area away from water sources and areas accessible to children and pets.
Fill the reservoir about halfway with water again, and spray the hose until you’ve emptied the remaining water in the reservoir.
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Give the small parts a deeper clean. Take the hose, wand, and nozzle apart to give them a more thorough cleaning. Rinse them with warm, soapy water, and try using an old toothbrush to scrub the small crevices.^{[4]
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- Be sure to wear protective clothing and chemical resistant gloves at all times when handling sprayer parts while cleaning.

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Question

Is there a way to clean a clogged switchable sprinkler/multi spray garden sprayer nozzle?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

Yes, it can be broken down and cleaned. Read the owner's manual and familiarize yourself with the correct and proper procedures. Some parts\components may need replacing.

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I have a sprayer that sat outside over the winter. How do I get it to spray if it won't spray at all?

Anthony "TC" Williams
Experienced Landscaper
Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.

Anthony "TC" Williams

Experienced Landscaper

Expert Answer

Break down all of the parts of the sprayer delivery system so that you can inspect and clean them. Some of the rubber parts may have deteriorated from being in constant contact with the chemicals.

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What do I rinse a sprayer with after using. Roundup

Community Answer

Roundup is a mild enough herbicide that water alone will neutralize it. Rinse the sprayer thoroughly with water a few times, spraying it out through the hose and nozzle, then let it dry.

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Tips

In addition to keeping garden sprayers clean after every chemical application, take the entire mechanism apart once per year. Inspect and clean every part, and replace anything that is worn, corroded, or broken.

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