Buckets

Choose from a wide range of buckets in a variety of sizes, materials, and colours at Cromwell. Designed to cover every application from domestic to industrial use, there's a huge selection of styles from mop buckets to builders' buckets, fire buckets and tar buckets. Carefully chosen for their quality and practicality in use, we can supply just what you need from well-known brands like Bentley®, Rutland®, and our own brand, Cotswold®.
What are buckets?
Featuring a wide, open top with a handle, buckets are containers designed for transporting liquids and other materials. Often featuring a moulded lip for pouring and a reinforced base, they're strong enough to ensure minimum spills when carrying or wheeling between locations.
Why buckets?
Buckets are available in a wide range of sizes and materials, with specific designs for certain tasks. They're made from durable materials, including galvanised steel, rigid plastic, and flexible polypropylene, which allows for safe storage. Buckets frequently transport cleaning chemicals and building debris and so must be suitable for the task at hand. An alternative, such as a watering can for liquids spill when filled due to the nature and angle of the spout, while buckets often feature multiple handles and a pouring lip to ensure stable pouring and emptying without splash or mess.
When are buckets used?
Mainly used for transporting water or debris, buckets feature heavily in construction and professional cleaning industries and are used for carrying cleaning solutions, water for cement mixing, or building waste and debris. They can also be used for storing animal feed and fishing bait, but overall, buckets are designed for holding and transporting materials from one location to another.
Bucket types
Available for a wide range of applications, here are the most common styles of buckets available.
Tar buckets Usually made with galvanised steel and featuring an extended 'V' lip for pouring
Plastic buckets Mostly round or rectangular, used for transferring liquids for cleaning and mixing
Flexible buckets Made from soft moulded plastic, used for transporting lightweight debris
Builders' buckets Galvanised or plastic with a steel handle and pouring spout
Mop buckets Galvanised or plastic with a built-in wringer
Fire buckets Transport both sand and water for containing and extinguishing fires

Considerations when choosing a bucket
• Application - For mopping and other cleaning tasks, a bucket with a wringer would be the best choice, but for heavy-duty tasks, a builders' bucket may be more suitable.
• Material - This is dependent on the nature and repetition of the task. Stronger materials, such as galvanised steel will provide more durability than a plastic bucket.
• Transportation - If moving heavy liquids or debris, a strong handle with a grip is recommended, while some mopping buckets feature castors for easy transport.
• Size - Choose the capacity based on the amount to be contained and the carrying weight.
• Colour - When used in a professional cleaning capacity, buckets can be colour-coded to cleaning areas to prevent cross-contamination.
Bucket jargon buster
We want you to find just what you need, so here are some key terms that will help you identify the right product for you.
What materials are used to make buckets?
HDPE - high-density polyethylene, an inert plastic that's ideal for storing food
PP - polypropylene, food-safe, heat-resistant, and resistant to some chemicals
Stainless steel - rust and corrosion-resistant, durable
Galvanised steel - rust and corrosion-resistant, food-safe (when food contains no acids), durable
FAQs
How can I tell if a bucket is food grade?
Check the bottom of the bucket for markings that display the triangular recycling symbol with a number stamped in the centre between 1-5. These are the numbers that stand for food-grade standard plastic.
Are buckets recyclable?
Yes, rigid plastic buckets can be shredded and granulated to make plastic pellets for new products. Always check with your local council's collection policy before leaving a plastic bucket out for recycling, as some may not take rigid plastics. If a plastic bucket has a metal handle, separate them, and ensure the bucket is thoroughly clean.