Santizing/Cleaning large branches?

[IndySE]

I have some time off and I've been meaning to make a nice stand for Kermit my GCC. We have some branches from a fig tree we cut down maybe a year ago; they've been sitting in the backyard. The tree wasn't around any pesticides so I know the wood is good.

The thing is, the pieces are pretty big... in the past, with smaller pieces, I've just put them through the rinse cycle of the dishwasher and used the boiling water to kill anything. I'd rather not chop up these big pieces to properly clean them, since they are very lovely and might not easily go back together again

I've been considering buying a cheap kiddie pool and treating them with a very dilute bleach solution, but I'm not sure how I'd even properly dispose of the water o___o; Or how much bleach I ought use (up until now, I've avoided using it like the plague).

Does anyone else have some thoughts ?

 

[SilleIN]

I usually put the branches in my tub and scrub them and then pour boiling water over them to kill off bacteria

 

[Flboy]

Might be the time to buy a steamer! Many folks swear by them!

 

[IndySE]

Ahh good points, thank you A steamer might be a good way to go... it could double as a Christmas gift for my mom haha (I'm kidding.. maybe? My mother insists cleaning supplies make poor Christmas gifts).

 

[SilleIN]

Might be the time to buy a steamer! Many folks swear by them!

UHHH good idea. I even have a steamer, don't know why I didn't think of that

 

[GaleriaGila]

Back out West, a member of our local parrot club owned a resturant and had a walk-in freezer. He would freeze branches for other members for a day or two. Of course, we also scrubbed and trimmed them. It was........... c-c-c-c-cool!