How to Remove Odors From Plastic Storage Containers

Plastic food containers tend to retain odors from previous foods they have held.

Plastic storage containers are great for storing leftover food or meals on the go. The airtight seal of the lids of these plastic containers locks out air, keeping the food inside fresh longer. These same airtight seals also keep and hold onto strong food odors long after the food is removed from the container. Removing these strong odors from plastic containers is a very easy task that is accomplished with common household items.

Things You'll Need

• Hot water
• Sponge
• Dish soap
• Baking soda
• Black-ink newspaper
• White vinegar
• Lint-free cloth
• Salt

Instructions

1. Remove any leftover food particles from the plastic container. Wash the plastic container using hot water and dish soap.

2. Fill the plastic container with 2 cups of very hot water. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the plastic container filled with hot water, and place the lid on. Allow the plastic container to sit overnight with this baking soda solution. The baking soda will deodorize the plastic container and remove the food odors.

3. Empty and rinse the plastic container with warm water. If food odors are gone from the plastic container, you are done. If not, move on to the next steps.

4. Crumple up a large piece of newspaper with black print only, no colored ink. Sprinkle the ball of newspaper with water. Place the newspaper into a clean and dry plastic container, and place the lid back on. The black newspaper ink contains charcoal that absorbs strong food odors. Allow the plastic container to remain like this overnight.

5. Remove the crumpled newspaper from the plastic container. Wash the plastic container using hot water and dish soap. If odors are still present within the container, move on to the next step.

6. Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the plastic container. Use a sponge to swish and brush the white vinegar around the inside of the plastic container. Pour out the excess white vinegar, but keep the vinegar-soaked sponge inside the container. Place the lid on the container, and let it sit overnight.

7. Remove the vinegar sponge from the plastic container. Rinse the container out with hot water. Place two to three drops of dish soap into the container, and use a clean, wet sponge to wash the interior. Rinse out all soap residues with hot water, and dry the plastic container with a lint-free cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Pour 1 to 2 tbs. of salt into an empty and washed container. Dampen a sponge with water and scrub the plastic container, using the salt to remove small food particles from scratches in the plastic.

• Store plastic containers with their lids removed to allow air to circulate through the interior.

References

• Senior Living: Deodorize Plastic Food Containers
• Sneaky Kitchen: How to Combat Odors in Your Tupperware
• Vinegar Tips: Cleaning with Vinegar