Omar Khalid
Onions are a versatile ingredient used in kitchens worldwide, but their pungent smell can linger in plastic containers long after they're gone. Luckily, there are several easy ways to get rid of onion odours in plastic containers, including natural solutions such as lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, and charcoal. So, if you're looking to banish that lingering onion smell from your plastic containers, read on for some tried-and-true methods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | Leaving the container in the sun for a few hours can help get rid of the onion smell. |
| Baking soda | Make a paste with water and rub it inside the container. Leave it overnight, then wash it with hot soapy water. |
| Lemon | Squeeze lemon juice onto the container and rub it around, or put lemon slices inside. Leave it for 15-30 minutes, then wash it out. |
| Vinegar | Mix equal parts vinegar and water and fill the container with the mixture. Leave for 30 minutes to an hour, then wash the container. |
| Coffee grounds | Put dry coffee grounds in the container and leave them for a day or two. Wash the container afterward. |
| Charcoal | Put a small bag or a few pieces of activated charcoal in the container and seal it. Leave it for a few hours or overnight. |
| Dish soap | Hand wash the container with dish soap. |
| Freezer | Put the container in the freezer, without water in it. |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Dilute with water and use to wash the container. |
| Bleach | Mix one tablespoon of bleach with one cup of water and use the mixture to wash the container. |
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What You'll Learn
Soak containers in vinegar and water
Soaking containers in vinegar and water is an effective way to remove onion smells from plastic containers. The acetic acid in vinegar breaks down molecules responsible for nasty odours.
To do this, mix equal parts water and vinegar, then fill the plastic container with the mixture. Allow the container to soak for about 30 minutes to an hour. For particularly stubborn smells, you can use undiluted vinegar.
After soaking, wash the container with soap and warm water to avoid any residual vinegar taste.
If you are concerned about the vinegar's strong odour, you can dilute it with water and add lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which acts as a deodorizer and cleaner. Ensure the lemon juice covers every part of the container. Leave the lemon juice and vinegar mixture to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing.
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Use baking soda
Baking soda is a powerful natural deodorizer and is great at absorbing lingering food smells. It is also a super budget-friendly option. To use baking soda to remove onion smells from plastic containers, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Prepare a baking soda paste
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water to create an odour-fighting paste. You can adjust the amount of baking soda and water accordingly, depending on the size of your container.
Step 2: Apply the paste
Rub the paste onto the interior of the container, making sure to cover every bit of it.
Step 3: Let it sit
Let the paste sit overnight. This gives the baking soda plenty of time to attract and neutralize the smelly molecules.
Step 4: Wash the container
In the morning, wash out the container with water and dish soap. Make sure to scrub the container thoroughly to remove any remaining paste and odour molecules.
If you have larger plastic items, you can simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the container, making sure to cover every surface. Close the container and let it sit overnight. In the morning, open the container and wash it out with water and dish soap.
Alternatively, you can try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of baking soda in a large bowl. Place your plastic container in the bowl and add water until the container is submerged. Soak it for 1-2 days, then wash it in the dishwasher or with soapy water to get rid of the vinegar smell.
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Leave containers in the sun
Leaving containers in the sun is a popular method for removing onion odours from plastic containers. This method can be done by rinsing out any remaining food bits and leaving the container outside in direct sunlight for an hour or two. After this, the container can be washed and cleaned as normal.
One source suggests that this method is effective due to the sun's UV radiation, which may damage the plastic and cause the release of molecules that are not suitable for ingestion. Therefore, it is important not to leave the container in the sun for too long, especially on very hot days, to avoid warping.
Another source suggests placing the container in the sun for a couple of days, especially if it is a lid that is retaining the onion odour.
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$12.99
Try lemon juice
Lemon juice can be used to effectively remove onion odours from plastic containers. The natural enzymes in lemon juice act as a deodorizer and help break down any leftover oils that might be holding onto the onion smell.
To use lemon juice to remove onion odours from a plastic container, 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 every part of the container. Allow the lemon juice to sit for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing the container with warm water and soap.
Lemon juice can also be used in combination with other ingredients to remove onion odours from plastic containers. For a milder approach, mix lemon juice with water and soak the container in the solution. Alternatively, create a mixture by adding the peel of a lemon to boiling water, allowing it to simmer for an hour, and then use this mixture to wash the container.
Lemon juice can also be used to remove onion odours from other items, such as the hair. To do this, mix shampoo, sodium bicarbonate, and lemon juice to form a solution and wash the hair as usual.
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Seal containers with activated charcoal
To get rid of onion smells from plastic containers, seal containers with activated charcoal. This method is non-toxic and safe, although it's best to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Activated charcoal has been treated with heat or chemicals to make it extremely porous. This higher level of porosity enables it to better absorb odour-causing molecules in the air. It can be purchased online or from a local hardware or pet store. It comes in various forms, including powder, pellets, and whole pieces of charcoal.
To use activated charcoal to remove onion smells from plastic containers, put a small bag or a few pieces of activated charcoal in your plastic container and close it up tight. Leave it alone for a few hours or overnight. The charcoal will absorb the onion smell and leave your plastic container odour-free. For the best results, use fresh charcoal and keep the container sealed.
In addition to activated charcoal, there are several other methods to remove onion smells from plastic containers. These include using baking soda, vinegar and water, lemon juice, coffee grounds, and sunlight.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to remove onion smells from plastic containers, including:
- Soaking the container in a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Leaving the container outside in the sun for a couple of hours.
- Leaving a small bag or a few pieces of activated charcoal in the container for a few hours or overnight.
- Leaving a small amount of dry coffee grounds in the container for a day or two.
Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with one cup of water to create a paste. Rub the paste inside the plastic container, then let it sit overnight. In the morning, wash out the container with water and dish soap.
Lemon juice can be used to deodorize and clean containers. Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the plastic and rub it around, or put lemon slices inside the container. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then wash the container.
Yes, you can use household products such as salt, vanilla extract, or newspaper to remove onion smells from plastic containers. For example, you can use a damp cloth, warm water, and salt to rub away stains and neutralize odors.
