thanks cherry.
no i soak the wood in a large garbage can. i fill it with a half gallon of bleach and then the rest is water. i do it outside with a garden hose so it is quick. i let it sit for 3-4 days with the lid on( sun oxidizes bleach). then i empty the bleach water and fill it with fresh water. i let the wood soak for another 3-4 days with the lid off (we want to get rid of all the bleach). i sometimes refill one last time with fresh water just to make sure and then add a goldfish or minnow into the garbage can to see if it dies ( due to the chlorine). my house has filtered water so there is no chlorine from the tap. i would make it simple and add dechlorinator after the first soaking of pure water instead of all my trouble. feel free to ask any other questions.