Maya Ellison
Plastic containers are a convenient way to store food, but they can often retain strong odours. This happens when food particles are left in the container, or when they are not dried properly before being stored away. To prevent this, it's important to clean your containers thoroughly and ensure they are completely dry. You can also prevent odours by storing your containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. If your container is already retaining an odour, there are several methods to remove it, including: scrubbing with soap and hot water, leaving it outside in the sun, using baking soda, charcoal, lemon juice, or coffee grounds.
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What You'll Learn
Airing out containers and airing out in the sun
If your plastic containers are not cleaned or stored correctly, they can quickly develop unpleasant odours. This is often due to residual food particles, moisture, or mould and mildew. While soap and water usually do the trick, some smells can be stubborn and require extra attention. Here are some detailed tips for airing out your containers and harnessing the odour-fighting power of the sun.
Airing Out Containers
Start by ensuring your containers are clean and dry. Wash them with hot water and soap, and allow them to dry completely before storing them. This will prevent the growth of mould and mildew, which can cause unpleasant odours. If your container has a loose lid, consider replacing it, as a secure seal will help keep odours at bay.
If your container still smells after washing, try using odour absorbers like baking soda or salt. Simply sprinkle baking soda into the container, add a bit of water to make a paste, and rub it all over the interior. Let it sit for a day or two, then wash the container with soap and water. Alternatively, place a large pinch of salt in the container and seal it. The salt will absorb the odour, and you can simply pour it out when you're ready to use the container again.
Airing Out in the Sun
The sun is a natural odour eliminator. Place your containers outside on a sunny day, removing the lids to let fresh air circulate. The sunlight and fresh air will work together to remove stubborn smells. For even better results, combine this method with odour absorbers like charcoal or newspaper. Crumple up some newspaper to fill the container, or place a piece of charcoal inside, seal the lid, and leave the container in the sun for at least 24 hours. The sunlight, fresh air, and odour absorbers will work together to leave your containers fresh and ready to use.
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Using charcoal
Charcoal is a great natural deodorizer and can be used to effectively remove odors from plastic containers. To use charcoal to get rid of an odor from a plastic container, follow these steps:
First, source a piece of plain charcoal without mesquite or easy-light properties. You can place the charcoal in a small glass dish or make a little cup out of foil to hold it.
Next, place the charcoal inside the container. If your container has a lid, seal it shut. If it doesn't have a lid, simply leave the container open.
Let the charcoal sit in the container for at least 24 hours. During this time, the charcoal will absorb the odors from the plastic container.
After 24 hours, or a couple of days if you prefer, remove the charcoal from the container. Your container should now be odor-free! If any odor remains, you can repeat the process or try combining it with another method, such as using baking soda or vinegar.
Charcoal is a great, natural way to remove odors from plastic containers without the use of harsh chemicals. It is important to remember to use plain charcoal and to allow it enough time to work its magic.
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Baking soda and vinegar
Vinegar is also an effective odor remover due to its disinfectant properties. To use it, fill the container with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water and let it soak for at least an hour or several hours for a deeper clean. Then, wash the container with dish soap and running water. For a stronger solution, mix a cup of vinegar with a quarter cup of baking soda in a large bowl and submerge the container in the solution for 1-2 days. Finally, wash the container in the dishwasher or with soapy water to get rid of the vinegar smell.
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Newspaper
Firstly, grab a few sheets of newspaper and crumple them up. Make sure the sheets are big enough to fit into the container easily. Next, place the crumpled-up newspaper into the container and seal it with the lid. It is important to ensure the container is sealed tightly so that the newspaper can effectively absorb the odors. Leave the container sealed for 24-48 hours. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be at absorbing the odors.
After leaving the container sealed for a day or two, open it and take out the newspaper. At this point, you may want to give the container a quick wash with dish soap and water, as the newspaper may have been a bit dirty. If you want to take extra precautions to get rid of the odor, you can also try leaving the container in direct sunlight for a few hours after removing the newspaper. Sunlight works well to eliminate odors, and can also help lighten any food stains in the container.
Using newspaper is a simple, cost-effective way to get rid of odors in plastic containers. It is important to note that this method may not work for extremely strong odors, and in those cases, other methods such as using baking soda, vinegar, or charcoal may be more effective. However, for mild to moderate odors, crumpling up some newspaper and sealing it in the container is a great first step to try.
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Lemon juice
First, you can rub lemon juice onto the interior of the container. The citric acid in the lemon juice is effective at neutralizing odors and will leave your container with a fresh, citrusy scent. You can also scrub the container with a paste made from lemon juice and baking soda. To make the paste, mix equal parts lemon juice and baking soda, then rub it onto the interior of the container. Let the paste sit for a day or two, then wash the container with water and dish soap.
Another method is to simply cut a lemon in half and rub it all over the container. You can also toss a few lemon peels inside the container and let them sit overnight. For a stronger solution, mix 1/4 cup of lemon juice with a cup of water and soak the container in this solution overnight.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by giving your container a good scrub with soap and hot water. Then, try one of these methods to get rid of lingering odors:
- Place the container outside in the sun for a couple of hours.
- Crumple up newspaper, stuff it into the container, seal it, and leave it overnight.
- Place a piece of charcoal in the container, seal it, and let it sit until the odor has been absorbed.
- Sprinkle in some baking soda and add a bit of water to make a paste. Rub the paste all over the inside of the container, let it sit for a day or two, and then wash it off.
Here are some ways to prevent odors from getting into plastic containers:
- Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers.
- Store food in Ziploc bags before placing them in the container.
- Label containers with the date of storage and check them routinely.
- Keep containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
- Ensure containers have tight-fitting lids.
Plastic containers can retain odors if they are not cleaned or stored correctly. Residual food particles can release odors, and moisture can accumulate, creating an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow.
You should replace a plastic container if it has noticeable wear and tear, such as cracks, chips, or scratches, or if it becomes difficult to get rid of existing odors even after multiple cleaning attempts.
