Sofia Martinez
Plastic is a versatile material used for everything from food storage to electrical wiring. However, one of its notable characteristics is its ability to retain odours. This phenomenon can be attributed to the porosity of plastic, which allows it to absorb and retain smells. While plastic is chemically inert, it can release volatile molecules at room temperature, including additives, leftover monomers, or breakdown products. These molecules can be detected by our sense of smell and can also impact taste. The odour of plastic itself can be off-putting, and when combined with other lingering scents, it becomes even more unpleasant. This issue is particularly noticeable in plastic containers, where the scent of previously stored foods like onions, tomatoes, or garlic can persist. Various methods exist to combat these stubborn smells, including the use of baking soda, charcoal, and odour-absorbing materials like newspaper or cat litter. Understanding the reasons behind lingering smells on plastic can help us better address the issue and maintain a pleasant environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of lingering smells on plastic | Plastic is inert but can exude volatile components like plasticizers (bisphenols) and phthalates, which can be smelled and tasted. |
| Odor-absorbing materials | Baking soda, charcoal, newspaper, cat litter, coffee grounds, garden dirt, salt, vanilla extract |
| Other methods | Soaking in a mix of bleach and water, washing with dish soap and water, leaving in direct sunlight, rubbing with lemon or vinegar |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic's porosity
Plastic is a porous material, which means it has tiny holes that allow gases, liquids, light, and even small solids to pass through. This porosity is what makes plastic so versatile and useful for many applications, but it's also why smells tend to linger on plastic items.
The porosity of plastic is a result of the manufacturing process. Porous plastic is created by fusing particles together under controlled heat and pressure to form a connected pore structure. This process allows engineers to tailor the size and distribution of pores to suit specific applications. For example, in the case of air fresheners, the plastic wick slowly diffuses liquid fragrance into the air through these pores.
There are four main types of plastic used to create a porous medium: sintered plastics, fibres, foam, and membranes. Sintered porous plastics are made by fusing polymers or particles to create a porous medium with controlled pore sizes, resulting in a robust, self-supporting material. This type of plastic is often used in filtration applications, such as water filters, fuel separation, and medical filtration for inhalers and injectables.
The porosity of plastic can vary depending on the manufacturing process and the specific type of plastic used. Some plastics are more porous than others, and this can affect their ability to absorb and retain odours. For example, the plastic used in Tupperware containers is often more porous than other types of plastic, which is why food odours can linger even after washing.
In summary, the porosity of plastic is a result of its manufacturing process and the specific type of plastic used. This porosity allows gases, liquids, and even small solids to pass through, which is why smells can linger on plastic items. However, this same property also makes plastic versatile and useful for a wide range of applications, from filtration to controlled fluid delivery in medical applications.
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Baking soda as an odour neutraliser
Plastic containers are very convenient for storing food, but they can retain the scent of whatever was previously in the container. This is due to the porosity of the plastic. Luckily, there are several ways to get rid of these odours, including using baking soda, a powerful natural deodorizer.
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is widely considered the best deodorizer when compared to other types of deodorizers on the market. It is a great cleaning aid, especially when you want to avoid fragrances or added chemicals. It is also customizable as you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to boost the scent without causing damage.
Baking soda is an effective way to minimize odours in your home. This is primarily due to the chemicals in baking soda, which counteract the acids that cause bad smells. Many unwanted smells are the result of acidic compounds, and baking soda is amphoteric, meaning it can react with both acidic and alkaline substances. The molecules in the air react to the baking soda, which then grasps the odours. It is best at killing acidic odours, but it can eliminate many other types of odours as well.
To use baking soda to remove odours from plastic containers, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 1 cup of water to create an odour-fighting paste. Rub the paste inside the plastic container, then let it sit overnight to soak up all the bad smells. In the morning, wash out the container with water and dish soap. You can also scrub the container with a paste made of baking soda and water.
Baking soda can also be used to remove odours from other items in your home. For example, you can sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs to remove odours, and then vacuum it up. You can also use baking soda to clean your oven, dishwasher, and trash cans.
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Using charcoal to absorb smells
Plastic containers are very convenient for storing food, but they can retain the scent of previously stored items. This is due to the porosity of plastic, which allows it to absorb and retain odours. While there are various methods to eliminate odours from plastic, such as using baking soda, lemon juice, salt, or vanilla extract, one effective approach is to use charcoal.
Charcoal, particularly activated charcoal, is highly effective at absorbing and neutralizing unpleasant odours. Activated charcoal has undergone a heat or chemical treatment, increasing its porosity and enhancing its ability to absorb odour-causing molecules. It is non-toxic and safe to use, making it ideal for eliminating unwanted smells.
To use charcoal for odour removal from plastic containers, simply place a piece of plain charcoal inside the container. Ensure that it is not mesquite or easy-light charcoal, as these can impart their own scents. Secure the lid tightly and let the charcoal sit for one to two days. Over time, the charcoal will absorb the unpleasant odours, leaving your container smelling fresh.
Additionally, charcoal can be used to absorb odours in various other ways. Place bowls or canisters of charcoal around your home, focusing on areas prone to unpleasant smells, such as the kitchen or refrigerator. You can also put activated charcoal in the bottom of trash cans or diaper pails to neutralize odours. For closets and laundry areas, hang sachets filled with charcoal, which can be decorative and functional at the same time.
Activated charcoal is readily available for purchase online or at your local hardware or pet store. It comes in various forms, including powder, pellets, and whole pieces of charcoal, allowing you to choose the most suitable option for your needs. By utilizing the odour-absorbing properties of charcoal, you can effectively eliminate unwanted smells from plastic containers and create a pleasant and welcoming environment in your home.
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Sunlight as an odour neutraliser
Sunlight is an effective and natural odour neutraliser for plastic items. It is an easy solution for removing smells from plastic at home. To use sunlight to eliminate odours, place the plastic item outdoors or on a windowsill inside the house. Ensure the item is in direct sunlight, and leave it there for a few hours. For stronger odours, leave the item in the sun for a longer period, such as a full day, and turn it periodically to ensure that all sides receive equal exposure to sunlight. The ultraviolet rays from the sun will break down the volatile compounds responsible for the smell, allowing them to dissipate into the open air. This method is especially useful for larger plastic items that cannot be soaked, such as bins, furniture, or storage containers.
Sunlight is also beneficial for refreshing and disinfecting plastic items, eliminating any humid or mouldy odours. It is a natural and chemical-free approach to removing smells from plastic, which can be more pleasant and safer than using harsh cleaning products.
In addition to sunlight, there are several other DIY methods for removing odours from plastic. These include using baking soda, vinegar, salt, charcoal, vanilla extract, or crumpled newspaper. These natural deodorisers can be placed inside the plastic container, sealed, and left for a few hours or overnight to absorb the unpleasant smells. However, it is important to avoid using acidic products regularly, as they can eat away at plastic over time.
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Plastic's chemical composition
Plastics are a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic materials composed primarily of polymers. Their defining characteristic, plasticity, allows them to be moulded, extruded, or pressed into a diverse range of solid forms. This adaptability, combined with a wide range of other properties such as low weight, durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, low toxicity, and low-cost production, has led to their widespread use around the world.
Plastics can be classified in several ways, including by their chemical structure, the processes used in their synthesis, their physical properties, and their resistance and reactions to various substances and processes.
One important classification of plastics is based on the degree to which the chemical processes used to make them are reversible. Thermoplastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), do not undergo chemical change when heated and can be moulded repeatedly. Thermosets, on the other hand, can only melt and take shape once; if reheated, they decompose instead of melting. Examples of thermosets include epoxy resin, polyimide, and Bakelite.
Plastics can also be divided into two categories based on the chemical composition of the polymer's backbone chains. The first category includes plastics made up of polymers with only aliphatic (linear) carbon atoms in their backbone chains. Commodity plastics such as polypropylene fall into this group. The second category, heterochain polymers, contains compounds such as oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur in their backbone chains, in addition to carbon. Engineering plastics such as polycarbonate fall into this group.
High-performance plastics are a category of polymers that exhibit superior properties compared to commodity and engineering plastics. These plastics are lightweight, versatile, and highly resistant to chemical corrosion and degradation, with excellent mechanical and electric properties. Examples include aramids, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic containers are porous, which means they can absorb and retain the scent of whatever was in the container last.
There are several methods to get rid of odours in plastic containers. One common method is to use baking soda, either by sprinkling it into the container or by mixing it with water to form a paste and then scrubbing the container with it. Other methods include using charcoal, crumpled newspaper, salt, vanilla extract, or lemon juice.
Plastics in everyday use are usually made of artificial polymers derived from oil. Any smell won't come from these polymers but can come from small molecules that are volatile at room temperatures, such as additives, leftover monomers from the polymerisation process, or breakdown products.
Plastic bin bags and water bottles can acquire a distinct taste and smell due to the presence of plasticisers such as bisphenols, which are volatile components that can be smelled and tasted.
