Maya Ellison
Stained plastic containers are unsightly and off-putting, but they can be cleaned. Food stains from tomato sauce, curry, and spaghetti sauce can be removed from plastic containers using various methods and common household products. The best method depends on the type and age of the stain, and some products should be avoided due to health and safety concerns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning agents | Baking soda, vinegar, hand sanitiser, lemon juice, salt, rubbing alcohol, bleach |
| Application | Make a paste or solution, soak, scrub, rinse |
| Time | 30 minutes to overnight |
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What You'll Learn
Using vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent option for cleaning stained plastic containers. Its acidic properties work wonders in breaking down stain particles. White vinegar is the best option, as other types may leave their own stains or discolourations.
To use vinegar to clean your plastic containers, start by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and warm water. You can use one tablespoon of vinegar per one cup of water. Soak the stained plastic in this mixture for around 30 minutes to 2 hours. Then, rinse the container thoroughly with hot water and wash it with dish soap to remove any trace of the vinegar scent.
Vinegar is especially effective for removing stains caused by carotenoid-rich foods, such as tomatoes, turmeric, and peppers. Carotenoids are red, yellow, and orange pigments that can form stubborn stains when cooked with oils. Vinegar can help to break down these stain particles and make your plastic containers look new again.
While vinegar is a great natural cleaner, it may not be strong enough for deeply set-in stains. In these cases, you may need to try a stronger option, such as bleach. Additionally, vinegar may be too strong for some plastics, so it's important to balance the mixture with water to avoid potential damage.
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Baking soda paste
Baking soda is a great option for removing stains from plastic containers. It is a hardworking cleaning agent that can be used to remove even stubborn food stains from plastic containers. To use this method, follow the steps outlined below:
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Soda Paste
Start by sprinkling a thick layer of baking soda on the bottom of the stained container. You can use Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda for this purpose. Then, slowly add warm water to the baking soda and mix until you have a paste that is slightly thinner than toothpaste. The paste should be easy to spread but not too runny.
Step 2: Apply the Paste
Once you have the desired consistency, use a cloth or your fingers to smear the paste all over the stained areas of the container. Make sure to cover all the stained portions generously with the paste.
Step 3: Let it Sit
Now, let the paste sit on the stained areas for at least 15 to 30 minutes. If the stain is still visible after 30 minutes, give it some more time. Check the progress by gently pushing the paste to one side or looking at the bottom of the container.
Step 4: Wipe and Rinse
After the stain is no longer visible, use a damp cloth to wipe the paste around the container, paying extra attention to the stained areas. Then, rinse the container with warm water and dish soap to remove any residue.
Additional Tips:
- Be careful not to scrub too hard when using baking soda as it can be abrasive and potentially scratch your plastic items.
- For tougher stains, you can first try using a vinegar solution before applying the baking soda paste. Fill the container with equal parts white vinegar and warm water, and let it soak for about 30 minutes to overnight. Then, rinse and dry the container before applying the baking soda paste.
- If you don't have vinegar, you can also try using hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol. Pour enough sanitizer or alcohol to cover the stain and let it sit for about an hour. Then, wipe the container with a paper towel and wash it with soap and water.
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Bleach
To use bleach to remove stains from plastic containers, create a solution of one tablespoon of bleach per one cup of water. You can also use chlorine bleach, which uses the same ratio. Ensure that you dilute the bleach in water and never mix it with other ingredients, as this can cause a chemical reaction that produces toxic gases. Soak the stained container in the solution for one to two hours. After the stains are gone, thoroughly wash the container with soap and water, rinse, and dry it. It is important to remove all traces of bleach from the container before using it again.
While bleach is effective at removing stains from white plastics, it can discolor colored plastics. Therefore, it is advisable to test a small area first before applying it to the entire container. Bleach is a strong option for stain removal, but it should only be used if other techniques fail, and it is crucial to thoroughly wash the container after treating it with bleach.
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Hand sanitiser
If you have liquid hand sanitiser, pour enough of it into the container to cover the stain. Let it sit for at least 45 minutes to an hour, then pour out the hand sanitiser. After this, use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe away the stain. Finally, wash the container with soap and water, and let it air dry. This method is best for stains on the bottom of the container.
If you do not have hand sanitiser, or would prefer not to use it, there are other methods you can try. One option is to use a mild bleach solution, made from one tablespoon of chlorine bleach mixed with one cup of hot water. Let the container soak for 40-45 minutes, then discard the bleach solution and wash the container in hot, soapy water. Another option is to use vinegar, which is an effective, eco-friendly, and non-toxic alternative to commercial cleaning products. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water, and soak the stained plastic in this mixture for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse the container thoroughly with hot water.
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Lemon juice
First, rinse or scrape any remaining food from the container. Cut a lemon in half and rub the fleshy side of the lemon over the discoloured areas. Squeeze some lemon juice over the stain and work it in. If it's a sunny day, place the container outside in direct sunlight for one to two days. The sun and lemon juice work together to remove the stain. If it's not sunny, simply leave the lemon juice on the stain for about an hour, or until it has dried, and then rinse and wash as usual.
You can also use salt in combination with lemon juice. Sprinkle salt on the stain first, and then squeeze the lemon juice over the salted area. The salt acts as a scrub, helping to dislodge stain particles, while the acidity of the lemon juice will lift the stain from the plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Mix 1 cup of hot water with 1 tablespoon of vinegar in your stained container. Let the solution sit for at least 1 hour, or as long as overnight. Rinse the container and wash it with dish soap to remove the vinegar scent.
Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda with warm water to form a paste. Spread the paste over the stained areas of the container and let it sit for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, wipe the paste with a damp cloth, rubbing the bottom well, and then rinse with dish soap and warm water.
Yes, there are a few alternative methods. You can try using hand sanitizer, bleach, lemon juice, salt, or a combination of vinegar and baking soda.
