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How to Sanitize Spray Gun Water

Playing with spray guns is a fun way to stay cool in the summer. Spray guns can be filled with water from a variety of sources including taps inside the house, water supplies for hoses or sprinkler systems, swimming pools, lakes and rivers, or wells. While running water for taps or sprinkler systems in most metropolitan areas is treated and deemed safe to consume, other sources, especially lakes, rivers or wells that can become contaminated, may require further sanitation before they are safe to use in spray guns.

Things You'll Need

Water filter
Stove
Large pot with tight fitting lid
Chlorine bleach
Long spoon

Instructions

- 1
  Filter water from untreated sources before using. Either run it through a store-bought filter to remove particles and dirt or build your own makeshift filter with a cloth over a bucket or large tub. Pour the water through the filter slowly, making sure it does not overflow. A homemade filter will remove large particles but is not as effective as a store-bought one.
- 2
  Pour the filtered water into a large pot and place it on the stovetop. Cover it with a tight-fitting lid.
- 3
  Turn on the element on which you placed the pot and heat the water until it reaches a steady, rapid boil. The boiling point is enough to kill any lingering bacteria and microbes that may be in the water. Let it boil for at least one minute and remove from heat.
- 4
  Let the water cool to room temperature or refrigerate it to a cooler temperature before using in spray guns. Fill the guns with the cooled water and enjoy.
- 5
  Add a few drops --- no more than 10 drops --- of bleach to the boiled, cooled water and stir with a long spoon. This step is not necessary and should be avoided for water to be used for drinking. Adding chlorine bleach or a small amount of pool chlorination chemicals helps keep water clean and safe for use in activities like spray gun play.

Backyard Toys