Omar Khalid
Plastic containers are a kitchen staple, but they can be a pain to clean and dry. This is because plastic is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. Its water-repelling properties are what make it a desirable material for storing food, but they also make it harder to clean and dry. Oils and greasy substances are particularly difficult to remove from plastic because they are also hydrophobic. This means that, like water, they resist rinsing and spread easily on plastic surfaces. To effectively remove dried food from a plastic container, you can try a few different methods, including soaking the container in warm water and soap, using vinegar or bleach, or making a paste with baking soda and water.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rinse with hot water | Remove food remnants |
| Use vinegar | Break down stains, kill bacteria, get rid of odors |
| Use lemon juice | Brighten dull, discolored plastic |
| Use baking soda | Remove stains and odors |
| Use bleach | Kill bacteria, sanitize |
| Use detergent | Remove oil |
| Use sunlight | Release odors, brighten appearance |
| Use nonstick cooking spray | Prevent food from discoloring plastic |
| Avoid dishwasher | Prevent melting, warping, clouding |
| Avoid microwave | Prevent infusing stains |
| Avoid strong dyes or chemicals | Prevent discoloration |
| Soak and scrub | Remove strong stains |
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What You'll Learn
Soak in a vinegar solution
Vinegar is a great option to clean dried food out of plastic containers. Vinegar is naturally antimicrobial, which makes it useful for killing the bacteria that have had time to grow on old food. It is also effective in removing stains and neutralizing odours.
To start, give the container a quick preliminary rinse with hot water to remove any food remnants. Then, fill the container with vinegar. If the stains are only on the bottom of the container, an inch or two of vinegar should suffice. However, if the stains reach up the sides, fill the container to the top with vinegar. Place the lid on the container and let the vinegar do its work for 30 minutes to an hour. For heavier messes, you can leave the vinegar for up to 12 hours.
After the allotted time, pour out the vinegar. Then, add a few drops of liquid dish detergent and scrub the inside of the container vigorously with a kitchen sponge or a stiff-bristled nylon dish brush. Rinse the container with water and leave it to dry.
For an even more effective vinegar solution, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice can help brighten dull, discoloured plastic and leave it smelling pleasant.
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Bleach the container
If your plastic container has tough, stubborn stains from dried food, you may want to try bleaching it. This method is especially useful for plastic containers that are stained and discolored from tomato-based products, such as pasta sauce or ketchup. Start by mixing a solution of one tablespoon of bleach with a cup of water. Make sure the container is made of bleach-safe materials, usually indicated by a bleach-safe symbol on the container or by checking the manufacturer's care instructions. Pour the bleach solution into the container, fully submerging any stained areas. Let the container sit for about five minutes, then drain it and rinse it thoroughly with warm water. You can use a sponge or cloth to apply the solution to the stains if you prefer not to submerge the container. Always exercise caution when using bleach, and avoid inhaling the fumes. Be sure to wear protective gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
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Use baking soda
Baking soda is a natural ingredient that can be used to loosen stains and remove odours from plastic containers. Before using baking soda, clean the plastic in warm water and dish soap. Then, follow these steps:
Step 1: Make a paste
Sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda on the bottom of the container. Next, sprinkle water over the baking soda to form a thick paste. The paste should be a little thinner than toothpaste. You can also use a 3:1 ratio of baking soda to water.
Step 2: Apply the paste
Spread the paste over the bottom and sides of the container, focusing on the stained areas. You can use a soft sponge to work the paste in and around the container.
Step 3: Let it sit
Allow the paste to sit for 30 minutes. If the stain is still visible, give it another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse and repeat
Rinse the paste away and check if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process until the container is clean.
Additional tips:
- If baking soda removes the stain but not the odour, crumple some newspaper, gently pack it into the container, and seal it with the lid. Let it sit for 1-2 days, then discard the newspaper and wash the container with hot soapy water.
- For stubborn stains, you can also use a two-part method of baking soda and salt. After treating the stain with baking soda, sprinkle salt onto a dish rag and rub it into the plastic in small circular motions before rinsing the container.
- To deodorize and clean the container, you can also pair baking soda with lemon. After sprinkling the container with baking soda, use a cut lemon like a sponge and rub the baking soda into the surface. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.
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Dish soap and sugar scrub
To remove dried food from a plastic container using a dish soap and sugar scrub, follow these steps:
Firstly, rinse the container with hot water to remove any loose food remnants. If your container is stained, you can try placing it in direct sunlight for a couple of hours to naturally remove some of the stains.
Next, cover the bottom of the container with sugar. You can also add a few tablespoons of warm water and some ice cubes. Let this sit for at least an hour. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at loosening the dried food.
Afterward, scrub the container vigorously with a soft sponge or washcloth, and a few drops of dish soap. Ensure you scrub all the areas where there is dried food or stains.
Finally, rinse the container with warm water to remove any remaining sugar and dish soap. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe the container and remove any remaining residue.
If the sugar scrub method does not work, you can try other methods such as using vinegar, baking soda, hand sanitizer, or bleach. However, always ensure to thoroughly wash and rinse the container after using these products, especially if it will be used for food storage.
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Hand sanitiser
If you have dried food stuck to a plastic container, you can use hand sanitiser to help remove it. This method is particularly effective on liquid stains, such as those from tomato-based sauces.
First, ensure there are no remaining food crumbs or remnants in the container. Scrape off any dried food with a spoon or fork. Then, rinse the container with warm water and pour out the water.
Next, pour hand sanitiser into the container, completely covering the stain. Let the hand sanitiser sit for around 45 minutes to an hour. Then, pour the hand sanitiser down the drain and wipe the container with a damp paper towel or soft cloth. Finally, wash the container with soap and water and let it air dry.
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Frequently asked questions
First, try removing as much of the dried food as you can with a paper towel or cloth. Then, soak the container in warm water and mild soap for 30 minutes. Scrub the container with a soft brush or sponge, focusing on the stained parts. Finally, rinse the container and let it air dry.
There are several household products that can be used to remove tough stains from plastic containers. These include:
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Baking soda
- Bleach
Before storing food in a plastic container, coat the inside with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent food from sticking to the container.
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