Used shipping containers and even the one trip / new ones have been overseas in different environments and they should not skip a first time use cleaning, just to make sure you reach all around and inside it. The units are usually inspected when they get into a depot and one more time by the drivers before picking up, but they are paying attention more to be in good condition, wind and water tight and sometimes not paying attention of the cleanliness of the unit. It may pass their inspection, but that doesn’t mean your shipping container is ready for use and store goods right away. Even if your container looks clean and if you bought/rented it from a great company, it has been cleaned at the terminal but you’ll want to clean your container one more time before using it.
We advise our customers to inspect the shipping container when receiving it, but most important thing is, don’t expect to immediately be able to put things in them. Most of them are used for different merchandise ( electronics, cars, plastic materials, toys etc ), sometimes toxic or sometimes just regular merchandise. By toxic materials, we mean those ones that are non lethal and they are toxic when the shipping container is sealed and that made them toxic, don’t think about bio hazard toxic materials. The shipping containers happen to carry coffee or other spices that they need a special environment, that when sealed makes them toxic, but after emptying the shipping container might have still the toxic material sticker on it or a smell. Nobody will guarantee a unit will not smell or that will be clean. Some of them might have some white powder in the corners or on the floor, it might just have carried flour, construction trowel or plaster. Don’t be scared of any material you find inside your shipping container, since they are inspected at the yard inside and out just to make sure they are in one category. They are never released to the customers with dangerous materials in them or that have carried dangerous materials in them.
Inspect the container and ensure the dust and dirt is completely removed. Use a broom or a mop, but the best would be a leaf blower and to start cleaning from the back of the container to the front. By doing that you avoid having any seeds, pollen, liquids, smells, stains, etc. Air compressors and leaf blowers are both great options for airing out your container. Whether or not you see pollen or seeds in the container, a strong blower will get rid of most of the detached stuff floating around your container. Always wear protection glasses and a mask. Don’t inhale any materials or dust from the inside of the box. It may affect your lungs or activate an allergy.
When you buy a used shipping container you have to understand that the unit was sitting in a yard, most of the time stacked, or it’ been over seas multiple times and was exposed to different extreme weather conditions. Don’t expect the conex box to be flawless. It might have some surface rust, some minors scuffs or dents, sometimes older ones even might have patches. It’s inevitable not to have some minor wear and tear. We always recommend to power wash it and paint it after delivery. To ensure that you use the pressure washer properly, you have to wear a set of safety glasses or goggles. Since you will be doing work in a confined area and anything that is sprayed on can bounce around the shipping container and cause injury, it is vital to have eye protection. Just like the step above, always start from the back and work your way to the front. Corners need to be given special attention because they trap the most dirt. The floor as well needs to be properly inspected as well because they could be rust and dirt that needs to be scrubbed. When the shipping container is dry and all the dents can clearly be seen, you can start thinking about getting it repaired. Once the inside is cleaned to your satisfaction, you can now focus on cleaning outside with the pressure washer.
After pressure washing inspect outside and inside for any signs of corrosion or rust or even leaks. Some containers are rusted and flakes might come off during pressure washing and reveal a leak or a pinhole. When you are walking around inspecting the container and you see some rust on it, worry not as this can easily be fixed
After the container is dry, you should go over with medium grit sandpaper. A belt sander is something that is very effective when carrying out this process. You will not be required to take out all the paint, it is recommended to attack any spots where the shipping container shows signs of wear, flaking and peeling. You can then prepare the unit to get painted and refreshed. If the flooring is badly damaged, stained or smells you can replace or repair it easily.
