How to Remove Strong Odors From Plastic Food Storage Containers

The whole point of buying quality plastic food containers is so you can use them over and over again. And when one of these containers absorbs food odors and won't let them go, it seems to defeat that purpose. Before you throw those containers away, consider this cheap, easy fix. You'll be surprised at how effectively you can flush away those odors and salvage your smelliest plastics.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic food storage containers
• Black and white newspaper
• Baking soda
• Vanilla extract
• Hot water
• Dish soap
• Dish towel

Instructions

1. Completely empty the storage container of any remaining food particles. Wash the container and its lid thoroughly with hot water and dish soap, then dry the container with a clean dish towel.

2. Crumple up a sheet of newspaper with only black ink. Put the paper into the container and put the lid on tight. Allow the container to sit overnight without opening it. Because the paper and inks used by newspapers are so porous, they will absorb many odors.

3. Throw away the newspaper and wash the container again with dish soap and hot water. Dry the container with a clean dish towel and allow it to cool to room temperature. If the odor is not gone, proceed to the next step.

4. Sprinkle roughly two teaspoons of baking powder into the bottom of the container. Use about three or four tablespoons for large containers. Put the lid on tight and leave the container alone for about three days.

5. Dump out the baking soda and wash the container again with hot water and dish soap. Dry it, let it cool off and smell it again. If it still smells, try the last-ditch effort.

6. Fill the container most of the way with hot water. Add a few drops of vanilla extract to the water, put the lid on tight and gently tip the container back and forth a few times to mix the vanilla around. Let this mixture marinate for three more days without removing the lid.

7. Again, pour out the contents and wash and dry the container. If it still smells, that container is probably done for. But it should smell sweetly of vanilla instead. It's not as ideal as having an odorless container, but it's better than a rotten odor.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid this problem altogether by emptying and cleaning your plastic food containers as soon as possible after the contents have been removed.