Ethan Clarke
Onions are a versatile and healthy food, but their strong smell can be a challenge to remove from plastic containers. There are several methods to tackle this issue, including using baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, charcoal, coffee grounds, and commercial products like Dawn Powerwash Spray. Each approach has its own mechanism for neutralizing or absorbing odours, and some people find that combining multiple methods yields the best results. These techniques offer simple and cost-effective solutions for eliminating onion odours from plastic containers, ensuring they are fresh and ready for reuse.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Baking soda | Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda all over the inside of the container, close it up and let it sit overnight. Alternatively, mix with water to make a paste and rub it all over the surface. Wash with warm, soapy water. |
| Lemon juice | Squeeze lemon juice onto the plastic and rub it around, or put lemon slices inside the container. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing it out. For a milder approach, mix with water and soak the container. |
| Dawn Powerwash Spray | Spray and let it sit. |
| Vinegar | Soak plastic lids or sealing rubber rings in vinegar. |
| Coffee grounds | Put dry coffee grounds in the container and let them sit for a day or two. Wash the container afterward. |
| Charcoal | Put a small bag or a few pieces of charcoal in the container, close it up and leave it for a few hours or overnight. |
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What You'll Learn
Baking soda
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Soda
First, you'll want to prepare the baking soda. If your container is relatively clean, with only a lingering odour, you can simply sprinkle baking soda over the container, ensuring that you cover every bit of it. If there are larger bits of food stuck to the container, you should mix the baking soda with a little water to make a paste. You can also add a small amount of vinegar to the baking soda to enhance its odour-fighting properties.
Step 2: Apply the Baking Soda
If you've prepared a paste, rub it all over the inside of the container, ensuring that you cover every surface. If you're simply sprinkling baking soda, you can place a tablespoon of baking soda inside the container, and more if your container is large or very smelly. You can also sprinkle some baking soda on the lid, especially if the odour has spread there.
Step 3: Let it Sit
Now, let the baking soda sit for a while. If you've prepared a paste, it's recommended to let it sit for a day or two. If you've simply sprinkled baking soda, you can let it sit for a few minutes or up to an hour. For best results, close up the container and let it sit overnight. This gives the baking soda plenty of time to attract and neutralize those smelly molecules.
Step 4: Wash the Container
Finally, wash the container with warm, soapy water. If you've soaked the container in a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, you can wash it in the dishwasher or with soapy water to get rid of the vinegar smell.
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Lemon juice
To use lemon juice to remove onion odours from a plastic container, start by squeezing the juice of one lemon into the container. You can also add a few slices of lemon to the container for added effect. Next, dilute the lemon juice with equal parts water. Allow the container to soak for a few hours, then pour out the lemon juice and rinse the container with water.
For maximum odour removal, place the container in direct sunlight for a day or two with the lid off to allow fresh air to circulate. Sunlight is excellent at breaking down odour-causing molecules. Be sure to rotate the container periodically so that all sides receive direct sunlight. Finally, wash and dry the container completely.
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Coffee grounds
To use this method, start by placing the coffee grounds in the container. Ensure that the grounds are completely dry and spread them out evenly across the bottom of the container. Give the container a shake to ensure that the grounds come into contact with all surfaces. Seal the container with a lid and leave it for a day or two, or overnight. The coffee grounds will need time to absorb the odours. When the odour has been removed, remove the grounds and rinse out the container. Wash the container thoroughly to ensure that all the coffee grounds are removed.
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Vinegar
Prepare a Vinegar Solution
Mix a solution of vinegar and water. For a single container, use one tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar and one cup (236 g) of hot water. You can also add a squirt of dish soap to help break down the odor-causing substances. Mix the solution thoroughly.
Soak the Container
Place your plastic container in the bowl with the vinegar solution. Ensure that the container is completely submerged in the liquid. If your container has a lid, you can also soak it in the solution. Leave the container to soak for at least an hour for a basic clean, or several hours for a deeper clean. For very strong odors, you may need to soak the container for up to one or two days.
Rinse and Wash
After soaking, remove the container from the vinegar solution and wash it thoroughly with soapy water or in the dishwasher. This step will ensure that any remaining vinegar odor is removed, leaving your container odor-free and ready for reuse.
It is important to note that vinegar may not completely eliminate extremely strong or persistent odors after the first attempt. If the onion odor persists, repeat the process, allowing for a longer soaking time. Additionally, combining vinegar with other odor-fighting agents, such as baking soda or lemon juice, can enhance its effectiveness.
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Charcoal
In addition to charcoal, there are several other methods to remove onion odours from plastic containers. One option is to use baking soda, which can be mixed with water to form a paste and rubbed onto the interior of the container. This paste can then be left to sit for a day or two before being washed off. Another natural deodorizer is lemon, which can be cut in half and rubbed onto the container, or sliced and left inside with water to soak overnight.
Coffee grounds are another effective odour absorber. Fresh or used coffee grounds can be placed in the container, sealed, and left to sit for a day or two. The nitrogen in the coffee grounds helps to neutralize odours at a molecular level.
Finally, sunlight is a natural odour fighter and can be used to eliminate smells from containers. After washing the container, place it in direct sunlight for a few hours to neutralize any remaining odours.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to remove onion odor from a plastic container. You can use baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, dry coffee grounds, charcoal, or a commercial product like Dawn Powerwash Spray.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside the container, ensuring that it covers every bit of the surface. Close the container and let it sit overnight. Then, wash it out with warm, soapy water. Alternatively, you can mix baking soda with a little water to make a paste and rub it all over the surface.
Mix bicarbonate of soda with vinegar and leave the mixture in the container for a few hours. Then, wash the container with warm, soapy water.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the plastic and rub it around, or place lemon slices inside the container. Ensure that the lemon juice comes into contact with all parts of the container. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes before washing it out. Alternatively, you can mix lemon juice with water and soak the container in this solution.
Yes, you can use dry coffee grounds, charcoal, or salt. Spread the dry coffee grounds evenly on the bottom of the container and give it a shake occasionally to ensure they touch all surfaces. Leave it for a day or two, then wash the container thoroughly. Alternatively, place a small bag or a few pieces of charcoal in the container, close it tightly, and leave it for a few hours or overnight. You can also use salt by mixing it with warm water and using a damp cloth to rub the mixture onto the container. Repeat this process until the odor is gone.
