How to Get Dried Spices Out of Plastic Containers

Discard dried spices older then 6 months.

Plastic containers are perfect for keeping your foods preserved for an extended time. When you store dried spices in plastic containers for a long time the spices harden and stick inside the container. Spice residue leaves a difficult-to-remove odor that lasts after you have removed the spices. Remove dried spices as well as their lingering odor using a few common and inexpensive household items.

Things You'll Need

• Butter knife
• Trash can
• White vinegar
• Liquid dish soap
• Nylon scrubber
• Towels
• Baking soda
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Break up hardened spices stuck in the plastic container with a butter knife. Perform this step while holding the plastic container over a trash can. Discard the loosened spices.

2. Fill a sink with warm water. Add 2 cups of white vinegar and one to two drops of liquid dish soap. Swish the contents together with your hand until thoroughly mixed.

3. Submerge the plastic containers in the water and soak for 30 minutes. Scrub the plastic containers with a nylon scrubber until clean. Rinse the containers with cool running water and wipe dry with a towel. Continue with the remaining steps if the odor or spices remain on the container.

4. Drain the sink and rinse it clean. Fill the sink once again with warm water and add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda. Swish the water around for several seconds to mix the contents together.

5. Submerge the plastic containers in the water and let soak for another 30 minutes. Wash the containers with a sponge and rinse clean with cool running water. Dry the plastic containers with a towel.

References

• Reader's Digest: 150+ Household Uses for Vinegar
• Earth Easy: Non-Toxic Home Cleaning
• Tablefare: Care & Use of Your Spice Containers