Plastic food containers have the thankless job of dealing with everything from last night’s leftovers to tomorrow’s lunches. They are a go-to item in every home. But they become stained, especially due to stubborn stains caused by tomato sauce, curry, coffee, and bold turmeric. And it’s not just about looks; these stains can trap odours, tainting future meals. Before you toss them out or rinse in vain for hours, know that there are simple, affordable tricks to bring back their shine and erase even the toughest marks. Whether it’s yellow discolouration caused over time or deep-set stains, these methods will clean your plastic containers in minutes, effectively. Using simple household items, you can clean your containers and get rid of those stains in minutes.
Tips to clean stains on plastic food containers
With the help of the following tips, you can easily get rid of stubborn stains on plastic food containers and maintain their freshness. Baking soda is a stain remover that rates very high in cleaning plastic containers. It is very gentle on plastics.
- Start by applying a generous quantity to the stained areas.
- Mix it with a splash of warm water to create a thick paste.
- Rub it onto the stains using a soft sponge or cloth.
- Allow it to stand for 15 to 30 minutes on stubborn stains.
- Later, wash it thoroughly.
In most cases, it leaves your container looking brighter without much effort.Lemon juice is greatly effective as a natural decolouriser, as well as a natural stain remover. Pour lemon juice into the container, making sure to scrub the yellowed areas, particularly around the turmeric, before rinsing it well. Lemon juice contains citric acid, a natural agent for decolourisation. Also, placing the container under the sun will help the UV rays function as a natural bleach on the decolourised plastic.White vinegar is a reliable kitchen helper for tackling tough stains on plastics. Add some white vinegar to the container with stains, fill it with warm water, and leave it for 30 minutes to an hour. It tackles greasy stains and freshens unpleasant odours on the surface of the plastic. Washing the container with soap and warm water follows easily. White vinegar is very effective on most plastics due to its acidity.
- Soak with dish soap and warm water
Sometimes, it’s better to be patient than to scrub too hard. Leave it in the container of warm water with a dash of dish soap in it overnight or for a few hours. This will help loosen up whatever bits are remaining from your meal so that you can wipe them clean in seconds when you come back to it.If stains are stubborn and just won’t come off, a solution of bleach may be what is needed.Mix 1 tablespoon of household bleach with 1 quart of water and pour it over the tainted container to sit for 10-15 minutes. After that, wash it thoroughly with dish soap. When using or mixing the bleach, one should wear protection, such as gloves, and should provide adequate ventilation.Hand sanitisers are also effective at removing stubborn stains from plastic food storage containers, especially grease or tomato-based stains. This is due to the presence of alcohol in them, which works to break down grease and other pigments sticking to plastic. Just put a small amount of hand sanitiser on the stain, rub it gently with a paper towel or cloth, and leave it for a few minutes before rinsing it well with warm water. Subsequently, wash it well with dish soap.
How to prevent stains on plastic food containers
To prevent stains from occurring in the first place, line containers with wax paper when storing such intensely colored foods, or wait for them to cool before transferring them. Wash them soon after using them to prevent stains from setting. Lightly spraying or rubbing the inside of the container with a few drops of cooking oil before storing strongly coloured foods can create a protective barrier. Glass containers are best when storing tomato-based or spiced foods to save your collection of plastics.
