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Plastic containers are incredibly convenient for storing food, but they also can harbor bad smells. Whether it be the plastic-y smell of the container itself or the odors of the food of days past, smells can ingrain themselves in the container and be quite stubborn. Try hand washing, cleaning using vinegar and baking soda, or absorbing the smell with various absorbing agents. With some effort, your container will be odor-free and ready to use!
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat takes onion smell out of plastic containers?Bridgett Price is a House Cleaning Professional based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has over 8 years of experience in the industry and is the Co-Owner of Maid Easy, a maid service company servicing the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area witih over 17k professional cleanings under its belt. Maid Easy was featured on CNBC's 'Made It!' program and was voted as The Best of The Desert - Residential Cleaning Service by AZCentral. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.If the bad smell is still there, sprinkle some baking soda over the container and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, wash it out again.
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QuestionHow do you clean plastic containers?Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.Just do it with soap and water. Do not use acidic products on a regular basis, as they can eat away of plastic over time.
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QuestionHow do I get stale water odor out of camping water containers?Community AnswerTake some good dish soap and hand wash it. If that doesn't work, then put the water bottle in the freezer open, with no water in it.
Video
Tips
- If smelly plastic containers are a recurring problem, consider investing in glass containers. Though it's more fragile, glass does not absorb odors or stain like plastic does. It also does not come with an unpleasant plastic-y smell. [7] X Research sourceThanks
- In general, the cheaper or softer the plastic, the more likely it will smell bad. If you can, always try to sniff the plastic container before purchasing to see if it has a plastic-y odor.Thanks
- Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers. This can ingrain food odors into the plastic.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/ImXTq8eJdrA?t=7
- ↑ https://www.yahoo.com/news/parenting/how-to-get-smells-and-stains-out-of-tupperware-127733893326.html
- ↑ https://www.yahoo.com/news/parenting/how-to-get-smells-and-stains-out-of-tupperware-127733893326.html
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-clean-smelly-plastic-containers-without-harsh-chemicals-186220
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/6-ways-to-clean-smelly-plastic-containers-without-harsh-chemicals-186220
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/showdown-stained-plastic-containers-23103187
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/dishes/wash-dishwasher-or-hand/plastic-food-containers-and-dishes
About This Article
If your plastic container has an unpleasant smell, you can get rid of it with a few household ingredients. One easy method is to use white vinegar and baking soda. First, mix 1 cup of white vinegar with ¼ 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 smell of vinegar. Alternatively, place a large pinch of salt or used coffee grounds in your container, seal it, and leave it for a day to absorb the unpleasant smell. For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, including how to use vanilla extract to get rid of your plastic container’s smell, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "Had tried dish washing variations and needed a recipe for vinegar and baking soda. All the other suggestions were a big bonus. Now to try them out. 5 stars, but I can't get the star feature to work." ..." more
