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Plastic containers are incredibly convenient for storing food, but they can also harbor the scent of whatever was in the container last. Whether it be the plastic-y smell of the container itself, or the odors of onion, tomato, or garlic from days past, they have a tendency to linger in plastic due to its porosity. Luckily, there are several easy ways to get rid of odors in plastic containers, and we’ll cover them all, below.
How to Get the Smell Out of Plastic
Mix 1 tbsp of baking soda with 1 cup of water to create an odor-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.
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 a House Cleaning Professional based in Denver, Colorado. Chris is the owner of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency that he founded in 2015. Chris is on a mission to elevate what it means to be a cleaning professional and has built up Alpine Maids with that goal in mind. Chris has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Readers Digest. Alpine Maids received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row from 2016-2018. They were also awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018 and were featured on the Inc. 5000 Company List.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 as easily plastic does. [10] X Research sourceThanks
- Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers. This can ingrain food odors into the plastic.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-clean-food-storage-containers-8399942#toc-banish-lingering-odors
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/ph/in-the-home/effective-hacks-for-cleaning-tupperware.html
- ↑ https://www.inspiredhousewife.com/odors-stains-plastic-dishes/
- ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1451296/clean-smelly-plastic-containers-remove-odors-coffee-ground-ingredient-hack/
- ↑ https://www.mashed.com/334511/heres-the-best-way-to-remove-odors-from-your-tupperware/
- ↑ https://www.cleanipedia.com/ph/in-the-home/effective-hacks-for-cleaning-tupperware.html
- ↑ https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/dishes/wash-dishwasher-or-hand/plastic-food-containers-and-dishes
- ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-to-make-fridge-smell-better/
- ↑ https://kitchenaid.com.au/blogs/kitchenthusiast/how-remove-stains-and-smells-plastic-containers-0
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
