Over time, plastic containers begin to emit an unpleasant odor. The reason for this may be microcracks and scratches in the structure of the dishes. Damage occurs with frequent use of containers, exposure to high temperatures and microwaves. At first glance, it seems impossible to get rid of the smell of fish or borscht, but this is not so. Before throwing containers into the trash, it makes sense to use some tricks.
The good news is that it is possible to destroy the microbial haven in your food container. Moreover, for this it is not enough to rinse the containers with dishwashing detergent after eating. Ventilation often does not help. Therefore, after particularly “smelly” dishes, plastic must be taken care of specially. There are 7 proven ways to solve the problem.
Coffee
As a natural absorbent should save the situation. It effectively neutralizes unpleasant odors. To do this, just rub the inside surface of the “stinking” container with boiled coffee grounds or ground grain. Then place the container in the freezer for a day. Then rinse with water.
Baking soda
This is a budget and time-tested option. You need to mix the lye with a small amount of water in a ratio of 1:2. Bring the mixture to a mushy state, grease the inside of the container with it and close the lid. Leave the container overnight, and the next morning rinse it a couple of times from the tap.
Vinegar essence
Table acetic acid can completely neutralize odors. To clean products, it is recommended to mix it with water at room temperature. The ratio is 1⁄4 cup of essence per volume of water in the container. For a quick effect, add 3 drops of dishwashing detergent. Leave the container for 3 hours and rinse.
Newsprint
Everything is simple here. For convenience, you need to tear or crumple the newspaper, place it in a container and close the lid. The paper perfectly absorbs any odors and remaining moisture within 4-5 hours. This cleaning option is called dry. Charcoal is also used for the same purpose.
Lemon
Citrus is the most pleasant to use. Very quickly it eliminates the stench and cleans the walls of the tray from grease and dirt. To do this, rub the inside of the container with half the fruit or use only the peel. If this is not possible, just put a cotton swab soaked in lemon essential oil in a bowl for a day.
Vanillin
The spice has a pleasant smell, which is very easy to “mask the aroma.” To do this, fill the container with warm water, add a teaspoon of dry extract to it, and close the lid tightly. It will take several hours to cleanse. Further, the technology is similar to other methods: rinse, rinse with running water and dry with a towel.
Chlorine bleach
This method is used as a last resort. Bleach not only disinfects plastic dishes, but also removes stubborn odor. The solution is made from a 1:1 ratio and left for 3.5 hours. Then washed in several waters. This “bleach” is not used for expensive and colored containers.
It must be admitted that even high-quality plastic food containers are not durable. They also have their own shelf life. The inner layer of the trays inevitably becomes cracked, moldy and deformed over time. Therefore, it is recommended to change such dishes more often or use combined models with glass or enamel containers.
