Young's Cleaner/Steriliser 100g is a fast-acting powder for cleaning and sterilising home brewing and winemaking equipment. Dissolve it in water, coat every surface, leave for about 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Why it matters
Sterilising everything before each brew is the most important step in home brewing. Bacteria are the main cause of spoiled batches, and this powder makes the job quick and reliable.
Key points
- Powder that dissolves in water
- Works on fermenters, demijohns, bottles, syphons, spoons and hydrometers
- About 10 minutes contact time
- Needs a thorough rinse with clean water afterwards
- One 100g pack covers several brewing sessions
Using it
Full mixing instructions are in the How to Use box below.
Who it's for
Beginners and regular brewers who want a simple clean-and-sterilise step before each batch. If you would rather skip the rinse, use ChemSan no-rinse sanitiser. For heavier soiling, VWP Cleaner is another rinse-off cleaner and steriliser. Want a bigger tub? See the 100g and 250g options.
Young's Cleaner/Steriliser
How to Use
Dose
1 tsp per 1.5L
10g sachet in 4 litres
Contact
10+ minutes
then rinse
Used for: Cleans and sterilises brewing and winemaking equipment, bottles and utensils.
When: Before every brew, on everything that touches the beer or wine.
Step by step
1Dissolve about 1 teaspoon per 1.5 litres of water (a 10g sachet in 4 litres) - warm water helps.
2Fill or coat every surface.
3Leave for at least 10 minutes.
4Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Good to know: Always rinse after use. Never mix with acid sanitisers such as ChemSan. Keep away from eyes and skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much steriliser do I need per session?
Dissolve approximately 1 teaspoon per 1.5 litres of water. For a full fermentation vessel, mix up 5–10 litres of solution, swirl it thoroughly around all surfaces, drain, and rinse. A 100g pack gives you approximately 10–15 full sterilising sessions. See our
guide to sanitising home brewing equipment.
Do I need to rinse after sterilising?
Yes — rinse all equipment thoroughly with clean water after sterilising. While the steriliser is effective at low concentrations, any residue left in contact with your yeast can inhibit or kill it. Two thorough rinses with clean tap water is sufficient.
How long do I need to leave the steriliser in contact with equipment?
A minimum of 10 minutes contact time is recommended for full sterilisation. For equipment with heavy residue or that has been stored for a while, extend to 20–30 minutes and use a bottle brush to scrub any deposits before sterilising.
Can I use Young's Steriliser on all my equipment?
Yes — it's safe for use on plastic fermenters, glass bottles, siphons, airlocks, hydrometers, spoons, and all other home brewing equipment. Avoid contact with metal parts over extended periods as it can cause oxidation.
What's the difference between Young's Steriliser and VWP?
Both are effective powder sterilisers for home brewing. Young's Steriliser is a chlorine-based formula that works quickly and is very widely used.
VWP is another one-step powder cleaner/steriliser that is good at shifting stubborn deposits and stains. Both require thorough rinsing after use.
