Sofia Martinez
Plastic containers are a great way to store food and leftovers, but they can be difficult to clean and disinfect. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important to keep our containers germ-free. This guide will take you through the steps to sanitise your plastic containers, from simple soap and water combinations to more heavy-duty methods like bleach and alcohol solutions. We will also explore different tools you can use to scrub your containers, such as brushes and sponges, and how to remove tough stains and odours.
How to Sanitize a Plastic Container
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Removal of foreign material, such as food, lotions, soaps, dirt, and impurities |
| Tools | Soft cotton cloth or chamois, non-abrasive sponges, brushes, dishwasher, microwave, UV lamp |
| Cleaning Agents | Soap and water, baking soda, vinegar, anti-bacterial dish soap, alcohol, bleach, high-proof alcohol, Star-San, 70% ethanol |
| Steps | Wash with hot water, scrub, soak, rinse, dry, sterilize |
| Sterilization Methods | Bleach solution, UV light, microwave, ethylene oxide, radiation (gamma or e-beam) |
| Safety Considerations | Avoid paper towels, steel wool, pumice stones, and abrasive materials to prevent scratches. Use gloves when handling bleach. Avoid mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleansers. |
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What You'll Learn
Use brushes designed for sterilisation and disinfection
When sanitizing a plastic container, it is important to first clean the surface by removing any foreign material such as food, lotions, soaps, etc. This can be done by removing any labels and scrubbing the container with soap and water. The next step is sterilization, which involves killing all forms of life, including viruses, fungi, bacteria, and spore forms.
To effectively sterilize and disinfect your plastic containers, it is recommended to use brushes specifically designed for this purpose. Gordon Brush® offers a wide range of brushes for cleaning, sterilizing, and disinfecting various materials, including plastics. These brushes are tailored for specific applications, ensuring optimal cleanliness based on the item being treated and its condition.
For example, their toothbrush-style and twisted wire brushes are perfect for smaller parts and hard-to-reach areas, such as narrow tubes. Gordon Brush® also offers hygienic brushes, which are designed for areas that require thorough cleaning and sterilization. These brushes minimize the potential for trapping bacteria and other contaminants during the disinfection and sterilization process.
Additionally, they offer trade block brushes, which are ideal for sterilizing and disinfecting plastic containers. Their chemical-resistant brushes are perfect for cleaning plastics that have had chemical coatings applied during manufacturing. If your application requires heat treatment, their cleanroom/heat-tolerant brushes are a great option. For a unique plastic disinfection process that combines both bristles and liquid, you can use their lubrication brushes, which allow liquid to flow through the bristles.
By using brushes specifically designed for sterilization and disinfection, you can ensure that your plastic containers are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, maintaining their structural integrity and keeping them looking like new.
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Wash with hot water and anti-bacterial soap
To sanitize a plastic container, one of the most effective methods is to wash it with hot water and anti-bacterial soap. This process will immediately kill surface bacteria, although it may not guarantee complete sterilization.
Firstly, ensure you have removed any labels and scrubbed away any visible debris, such as food, lotion, or soap residue, from the container. Fill the container with hot water and add anti-bacterial soap. You can use anti-bacterial dish soap or a natural bar soap, ensuring it is not overly diluted. Scrub the container thoroughly, both inside and out, paying attention to crevices and hard-to-reach areas.
Rinse the container with clean, hot water to remove any soap residue. For added effectiveness, you can combine this washing method with other sterilization techniques. For example, after rinsing, you can soak the container in a bleach solution (approximately 5-10% bleach) for a short time. Bleach is an effective disinfectant and will enhance the sanitization process.
Alternatively, you can use a microwave to sterilize the container after washing. First, ensure the container is microwave-safe, as some plastics may melt under high heat. Wet the container and place it in the microwave on high power for about two minutes. The interaction between the microwave's heat and water causes effective sterilization.
It is important to note that while hot water and anti-bacterial soap are effective for disinfection, combining this method with other techniques, such as bleach soaking or microwaving, will ensure more comprehensive sterilization of your plastic containers.
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Soak in a bleach solution
Soaking plastic containers in a bleach solution is an effective way to sanitise them. Bleach solutions can kill harmful viruses and bacteria on surfaces, helping to prevent the spread of illnesses and diseases.
Before you start, it is important to note that you should always wear gloves when working with bleach and check the label to ensure the bleach is intended for disinfection. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. It is also important to use a new diluted bleach solution every time, as bleach solutions will not be as effective after being mixed with water for over 24 hours.
To make a bleach solution, you should use regular unscented household bleach, which typically contains 5–9% sodium hypochlorite. You can mix five tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room-temperature water or four teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. If you are sanitising a large number of items, you should periodically test the solution with a chlorine test strip to ensure the correct concentration of sanitising solution (185ppm of available chlorine).
Once you have prepared your bleach solution, simply submerge the plastic containers in the solution and allow them to soak for a minimum of one minute. You can then remove the containers and leave them to air dry—no rinsing is required. However, if you are concerned about bleach residue, you can thoroughly rinse the containers with clean water after soaking.
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Use a microwave or UV lamp
To sanitize a plastic container using a microwave, first ensure that the plastic is microwave-safe. Wet the plastic container—the interaction between the microwave's heat and water is what causes sterilization. Fill a cup with 250 to 500 ml (about 1 to 2 cups) of water and place it in the microwave. Place the plastic container in the microwave and set it to high power for approximately two minutes. Be cautious, as the plastic may melt. Polypropylene plastics are stronger than standard plastics and can withstand high heat.
When using heat to sterilize plastic containers, always make sure the plastic can withstand high temperatures. Always use personal protective equipment when working with high heat. Be careful when removing the container from the microwave, as it will be hot.
Alternatively, you can use a UV lamp to sanitize a plastic container. UV light disinfection is a safe, non-heated method used widely in food processing, laboratories, and water treatment. UVC light sanitizers kill pathogens, making it safe for you to breathe and stay healthy. The UV rays pierce the bacteria and viruses, killing their DNA and preventing them from growing and spreading infections.
However, it is important to note that overexposure to UV rays can be harmful to certain surfaces and can cause damage. Plastic can be degraded if it remains in direct contact with ultraviolet rays for too long. Before using a UV sanitizer, always read the user manual carefully and familiarize yourself with the product and its safety features.
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Rinse with distilled water
Rinsing with distilled water is an important step in sanitizing a plastic container. Distilled water is water that has been boiled into vapour and then condensed back into liquid in a separate container. This process removes impurities and more than 99.9% of the minerals dissolved in the water, making it ideal for use in applications where purity is important.
When sanitizing a plastic container, it is crucial to first clean the surface by removing any dirt or impurities. This can be done by scrubbing the container with soap and water or using a dishwasher, but it is important to note that this step does not sterilize the container.
After the initial cleaning, rinsing with distilled water can help ensure that any soap residue or impurities are removed. Distilled water is often used in medical and laboratory settings to clean equipment and avoid contamination, so it can be an effective choice for sanitizing plastic containers as well. Its purity minimizes the risk of introducing new contaminants during the sanitizing process.
Additionally, distilled water can be useful for rinsing the container after applying other disinfectants or sanitizing agents. For example, when using a bleach solution to sanitize a plastic container, rinsing with distilled water can help remove any residual bleach and ensure that the container is free of chemicals.
Overall, rinsing with distilled water is a crucial step in sanitizing a plastic container. It helps to ensure that the container is free of impurities, soap residue, and any potentially harmful chemicals used during the cleaning process. By using distilled water, you can be confident that your plastic container is truly sanitized and safe for reuse.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash the container with hot water and anti-bacterial dish soap. For complete sterilization, soak the container in a bleach solution. Rinse with distilled water.
Wash the container with hot water and soap. Sprinkle baking soda on the container, then scrub with a splash of vinegar. Fill the container with hot water and leave overnight. The next day, scrub with dish soap and water.
Wash the container with hot water and soap. Sprinkle baking soda on the container, then scrub with a splash of vinegar.
Wash the container with hot water and anti-bacterial dish soap. For sterilization, place the container in the microwave on high power for 2 minutes.
